Seiko watches are gaining worldwide recognition due to their Japanese aesthetic sense and sophisticated technology. We will introduce two premium brands while approaching the essence of manufacturing. The first part focuses on Credor's wonderful metal engraving techniques. Credor, which has been in charge of the luxury dress watch category of Seiko watches, is celebrating its 45th anniversary and has made a new start as an independent brand. To commemorate this occasion, a limited edition model has been released. Explore the true value of the brand through the three-dimensional metal engraving techniques involved.

The aesthetics and spirituality of Credor resides here.
Japan's finest dress watch

Credor is a brand that was born in 1979 with the aim of producing the highest quality dress watches that can be proud of around the world. Starting with the "Specially Selected Watches" collection that was created five years earlier, the brand inherited the concept of "golden peak" and evolved as a brand. The crest mark, a golden crest with three stars, symbolizes design, technology and craftsmanship. This year, which marks its 45th anniversary, the brand has become independent in order to present it to the world as a luxury brand that tickles the five senses and curiosity, infused with a unique aesthetic sense and craftsmanship.

To commemorate this occasion, a pocket watch was released that embodies this worldview. The refined Arabic numeral index and delicately shaped hands stand out on the white dial made from Japanese paper. Now that wristwatches have become mainstream, the traditional style of a pocket watch connected to a chain once again emphasizes the beauty and presence of watches. Not only its appearance, but also the way you take it out of your breast pocket and look down at it will be beautiful. But that's not the only attraction. If you turn the case over, the beauty of fertility will be revealed. Pomegranate fruits and Hosouge flowers bloom on the powerful tree, and owls perch there. Named the "Tree of Life," it is less than 4cm in diameter and uses a technique that combines shellfish and three-dimensional metal engraving to express a mysterious world. It has an elegant taste that allows you to enjoy the charm of a pocket watch, cherishing time in your hand and admiring beauty, and conveys Credor's aesthetics and spirituality. There is no watch more suitable for a brand that pursues Japan's finest luxury dress watches.

Three-dimensional metal engraving is an original technique for carving into relief shapes, and unlike flat engraving and openwork engraving, it is rarely used on watches, even overseas. The person who worked on this watch was Kiyoshi Terui, a metal engraver who works at Seiko's world-renowned Shizukuishi luxury watch workshop. He is considered one of the master craftsmen of our time and received the Medal with Yellow Ribbon. But even with that technology, he says this was a big challenge. The work begins by first creating a three-dimensional image in one's head based on the designer's drawings. In this case, we will create a sense of perspective and overall balance with a height difference of only 1.85mm, and as we create prototypes, we will get closer to the ideal we have envisioned. During this time, he discerns the necessary techniques and production expressions, repeats trial and error, and even creates new tools when necessary. In fact, Terui's favorite carving knife, called a part-time job, is all made by himself.

“For a wooden grip, shave the bar to fit your palm, attach carbide lathe material to the tip, and finish the tip into a blade.At this time, the blade must be thoroughly polished to a mirror finish. This is important, and by doing this, the carved surface will also shine beautifully."

A unique carving knife that uses the shape of a Japanese sword,
Creates a beautiful three-dimensional effect

With a normal cutting tool blade, the carving marks are rough, and to compensate for this, the entire part is polished. However, if the blade itself is carefully polished, the cut surface will have a sharp and beautiful mirror finish, creating a richer expression. Furthermore, the shape of the blade has been uniquely designed, with the tip curved like a Japanese sword, so even when carving a curved line, the line is always at an even angle on both sides. "As a result, the shine and beauty remain the same no matter which direction you look at it. This technique is especially necessary for watches worn on the wrist and viewed from various positions. However, because the cutting edge is curved, the contact point is small and It takes a high level of skill to stabilize the carving."

What was particularly difficult this time was expressing the complex motif. ``How to express the three-dimensionality of the Tree of Life at the center, while also expressing the inclusiveness that encompasses various elements such as owls and flowers.I struggled with how to balance this strength and gentleness.At first When I made the wood surface rougher, it emphasized its ruggedness, so I added a texture to it, which added to the softness and gave the twisted wood a sense of life. It became.” This texture is created by using a grinder equipped with a diamond burr to create the shape, and adding shadows with the scraping marks to create a three-dimensional effect. It's a unique technique that produces an effect that looks like a drawing.

Another hurdle was the approximately 4mm shells used for the pomegranate seeds, hosooka, and owl wings. ``Compared to metal, shellfish are hard and brittle, so they can break on impact.Therefore, you have to carve slowly over and over without applying any force.After you have created the shape, you need to place the tip of the grinder on a rubber whetstone. I'll replace it with polish." In fact, this process was originally planned to be commissioned to a shellfish processing craftsman. ``However, I was refused, saying that I couldn't do it at this level.'' Still, I couldn't compromise, and suddenly it was decided that I would be the one to do it.Even if that level of quality is not generally required, Credor does. We have to aim for the future, because we won't be able to satisfy our customers,'' Terui said. But the person who makes it is the one who is the most difficult to understand, he says with a laugh. In pursuit of perfection, his own technique continues to evolve, and there are no limits. Terui says. ``It is often said that we should protect tradition and not change the form we have, but I think that is absolutely not the case.In fact, I believe that tradition is to keep creating new things. Isn't that Credor?"

CREDOR
Credor was established in 1974 as Seiko's luxury dress watch brand that expresses the sensitivity and rich individuality of the Japanese people through carefully selected materials and outstanding technology. This year marks the 45th anniversary. Credor, which means "golden peak" in French, is created by exquisite craftsmanship, including the world's thinnest mechanical movement created using advanced technology, metal engraving, and diamond setting. ing. Standard series include the Linearx series, Signo series, and Juri series.

https://www.credor.com/
https://www.seikowatches.com/

(Titles omitted)

Continued to SEIKO ~ To the top of the world (Part 2)