Credor Goldfeather Imari Nabeshima Porcelain Dial GCBY991

Credor, a high-end division of the Seiko Group, was founded in 1974 with a focus on refined, ultra-thin timepieces that emphasise artistic and artisanal techniques. Originally catering to the Japanese domestic market, Credor has begun to expand internationally only recently (mostly with the Locomotive, based on a Genta design) and will make its debut at Watches & Wonders this year. The latest reference belongs to the ultra-thin Goldfeather family and ticks all the boxes of an elegant dress watch embellished with a beautiful Imari Nabeshima porcelain dial, and a rare-for-Credor stainless steel case.

The first Goldfeather model was the result of Seiko’s pursuit of thin mechanical calibres and appeared in 1960. Powered by the 2.95mm calibre 60 that was the world’s thinnest 3-hand mechanical movement at that time, only to be outdone by its 1969 successor, calibre 6800 with an ultra-slim height of just 1.98mm, this family of ultra-thin movements would become the foundation stone of the Credor brand in 1974. Reborn as a collection in 2023, the Goldfeather stands out with its stunning handcrafted dials.

Traditional artistic crafts are revered in Japan, and over 200 crafts, including Imari Nabeshima porcelain, are safeguarded as “Important Intangible Cultural Property” by the Japanese government. First produced by the Nabeshima clan in Okawachiyama, the “village of secret kilns,” the high-quality artistic porcelain was offered to shoguns and feudal lords during the Edo period. Still practised today, the dial of this Goldfeather model is crafted at the Hataman Touen kiln.

The rich cobalt blue dial reveals the characteristic gradient effect of Imari Nabeshima porcelain and is embellished with a subtle alternating pattern of blue feathers and ghost-like transparent feathers. Like the watch’s profile, all the dial elements are wafer-thin, and the translucent and curved white porcelain base is fired and ground to achieve its 1mm thickness.

The blue feathers and gradient are applied before glazing, while the shadowy feathers and indices are added over the glazed surface to create an incredible sense of depth. The dial undergoes five firings to produce the delicate blue tonalities that are lighter in the centre and more saturated on the perimeter. Protected by a box-shaped sapphire crystal, the gentle curve of the dial is echoed by the minutes hand, whose curved tip reaches the perimeter.

In a departure from former precious metal Goldfeather models, the new GCBY991 comes in a stainless steel case with a 30m water-resistance rating. With its near-perfect dress watch proportions – 37.1mm diameter x 8.3mm thickness – the bezel and slender lugs are Zaratsu polished.

Responsible for the slim silhouette of the watch, the manual-winding calibre 6890 has a height of just 1.98mm and is visible through the sapphire crystal on the caseback. Beating at 21,600vph, the power reserve is on the modest side at 37 hours. The Hatamam Touen logo is engraved on the caseback, and the movement’s curved bridges are decorated with large stripes and chamfered edges.

The Goldfeather is paired with an elegant black crocodile leather strap with a steel triple-folding clasp with push-button release. A limited edition of 60 pieces, the Goldfeather will be available in February 2026 for a price of EUR 15,000. More information at credor.com.