Locomotive

A hexagonal design from 1979

Gérald Genta, the Geneva designer known for integrated-bracelet sports watches, created the Locomotive for Credor, and the watch launched under the Credor name in 1979. The hexagonal case and bezel were inspired by the look of a locomotive, and the motif carries through the dial, the case and the bracelet. The shape is the reason the watch is easy to recognize, and it's also the reason its finish needs care.

The original was a quartz watch with a screw-in crown, a sapphire crystal and a 10 bar rating. Those figures describe the watch as it left the factory. Seals harden and gaskets wear with time, so a vintage example that has been opened or worn for decades may not hold that rating now, whatever the paperwork says.

Credor returned to the design in 2024 for its 50th anniversary, bringing back Genta's details in a commemorative edition. The newer GCCR997 is a fresh design in the same family, with a 38.8 mm by 8.9 mm high-intensity titanium case, a 10 bar rating and the CR01 automatic caliber, which Credor says is exclusive to the brand.

Servicing the quartz original and the CR01 automatic

The 1979 original and the modern automatic have little in common at the bench. A vintage quartz watch needs a battery and seal check, and the older movement may be hard to source. Ask the shop whether it can source a compatible movement or part before you ship the watch, and what it would fit if the original isn't available. Substitutes change the originality of the watch, so you should agree to them in writing.

The CR01 automatic is a newer Credor movement. Credor describes it as having a 45-hour power reserve, 26 jewels and a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour. A modern service should cover the rotor, gear train and date mechanism, and the shop should test the power reserve after reassembly. Ask for the test results to be written on the estimate or the report.

The integrated bracelet carries most of the day-to-day wear. Link removal, end-link fitting and clasp checks all need care, because the bracelet has to sit flush with the hexagonal case. Ask whether the shop will re-finish or polish the case, and ask it to protect the hexagonal edges, because heavy polishing softens the very lines that define the watch.

Buying a pre-owned Locomotive

Start by identifying the version. A 1979 quartz watch, a modern automatic and a commemorative revival can all carry the Locomotive name, and each has different parts and different expectations. Check the case-back for the caliber number and reference, and match them to the papers and the bracelet. A reference that doesn't fit the movement is a question you should answer before going further.

The bracelet is the most likely place for a mismatch. Look for links that differ in finish from the rest, clasp markings that don't match the case, and signs that the bracelet has come from another watch. Ask whether the bracelet came with the watch and whether it has been replaced. A bracelet swap is hard to spot in a photograph, so a clear answer matters more than the seller's confidence.

Water resistance can't be assumed on a vintage example. Have the crown, gaskets and crystal checked, and ask for a pressure test before you use the watch in water. An honest seller will describe the condition of the seals rather than point to the original rating. If the watch has been in water since it was last serviced, say so, because that changes what the next service should include.

Choosing a watchmaker for a Locomotive

For a modern Locomotive under warranty, begin with Credor's service listings, which point owners to Seiko and Grand Seiko service points in many markets. Confirm whether the point performs the repair or only accepts the watch. For a vintage quartz example out of warranty, an independent who knows Seiko quartz can often do the job, as long as the shop can source parts it is willing to fit.

Ask for a written estimate that separates movement, case and bracelet work. Bracelet and case finishing can take up as much of the bill as the movement, so it's worth knowing the split before you approve anything. Ask, too, what the shop will do if a part isn't available, since a substitute changes the watch and you should decide that before the work starts.

Tell the shop what you want from the watch. Some owners want a vintage piece kept as found, while others want it restored toward the condition it left the factory in. A good watchmaker will work toward the goal you set, and will tell you early where the two conflict.

What to check on a Locomotive

• Experience with Seiko quartz and automatic movements
• A plan for bracelet and case finishing before any polishing
• Clear rules on substitute parts for vintage examples
• Seal testing after any case work, with results in writing

Common questions