Here we have a beautiful neo-vintage circa 1998 Seiko Credor Pacificique 4S77-0A20. It is a sleek yet sporty design, befitting of the Credor name. Being a Japanese domestic market model it is seldom seen in the UK. It has the eyecatching silver dial with a range of textures and depth, including the retrograde date indicator, day sub dial and 24-hour sub dial. The thermally blued hands provide a bright and clear contrast. The case measures 41mm wide. The bezel has the brushed surround with beaded edge. The centre of the case has an ornate design which sticks juts out. To the rear is the exhibition case back with model specific signing. The movement is the Seiko calibre 4S77 which is in good condition, keeping accurate time. The watch comes on its original Credor bracelet with the polished and brushed five link design, which will fit up to a 7.5” wrist circumference.

Seiko Credor
The Credor range is Seiko’s luxury dress watch range. The Credor brand was founded by Seiko in 1974. It comes from the French “crete d’or’ meaning “pinnacle of gold”. Originally the watches were crafted only in precious metals and were fabricated by Seiko’s master craftsmen.

The Credor ‘Golden Peak’ logo was put on the dial in 1980. The logo embodies a mountain, which represents the peak of watchmaking. The three stars to the top of the logo are representative of the three main tenets of Credor. Firstly, to create original designs that take advantage of Japanese sensitivity and aesthetic sense such as delicacy, precision and attention. Secondly, technology through the realisation of precise manufacturing, making full use of cutting-edge and advanced technologies. Lastly, handing down the pinnacle of artisanal craftsmanship and watchmaking skills, cultivated in Seiko’s 130-year history.

The Credor range is beginning to become more well known worldwide, but this has taken some time as they were originally largely sold in the Japanese domestic market.

The watch
The Pacificique just looks better as time goes on. Many brands today would love to make a watch which looked as refined and sporty as this piece. The combination of complications and level of finishing make it a very good watch for the price point.

At the time, the 4S77 was one of the most complicated automatic movements produced by Seiko. The modular movement enabled the inclusion of the retrograde day, date sub-dial, 24-hour subdial and an independently adjustable hour hand. This truly encapsulates both form and function.

The dial is a masterpiece on this watch. It features the chapter ring to the outside with the minute dash markers. This helps ensure the complications can take centre stage with the rest of the dial canvas. The outer section of the dial has the subtly brushed finish. It contains the applied facetted hour markers, which have an outstanding mirror polished finish, as well as the applied Credor logo at 12 o’clock. The central sector of the dial has the satin finish which differentiates it from the hour markers. It is signed ‘Credor Seiko’ to the top. The retrograde day dial is fan shaped and sits to the right-hand side of the dial. The date sub-dial is at 6 o’clock, with the 24-hour sub-dial at 9 o’clock. Each sub-dial has the satin outer sector with black signing, with the grained concentric circles to the centre. The hour and minute hands are of the staggered index style with the thin, tapered central second hand. The sub-dial hands are simple index hands which are a neat design. All the hands have the bright thermally blued finish which catches the eye and provides a beautiful contrast.

The case dimensions afford the watch a rare combination of sleekness, comfort and restrained presence on the wrist. With a standard case width of 37.6mm this is a small case, befitting of the Japanese market. Yet the sides of the case have two central blocks which extend the width to 41mm. This width is balanced with a shorter case length of 35.5mm, with the total lug to lug length of 41.75mm sitting just over that of the total width. At 12.8mm deep it is also decently thin for an automatic movement with modules. This is achieved due to the thin case centre.

The design is equally as impressive as the proportions. The bezel has the dished profile with the matte circular brushed finish. The edge has the polished beaded design which is a seldom seen touch, which stands out. The centre section of the case consists of a mix of a circular case, which flows into a Nautilus-esque approach with the jutting sections to the centre. The lugs are of a horn style, with the notches pinching into the base. The sides then follow the same horn flow outwards, with the recessed central section. The crown sits to the right-hand side and has the Credor logo to the face. Above this is a pull button which advances the retrograde day function.

The rear of the case continues the polished finish. The back has the exhibition sapphire crystal which allows you to enjoy the Credor automatic movement. The surround is etched with the model specifics, serial number and reference.

The movement has the gold tone finish and is the 4S77. It is 28 jewel automatic movement, which operates at a hi-beat frequency of 28,800 BPH, with a 50 hour power reserve.

The watch is modelled on a 7” wrist circumference. 
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.

Dial:
The dial is in very good original condition with no noticeable marks or ageing.

Hands:
The hands are in very good condition with no noticeable ageing.

Glass:
The sapphire crystal is in good condition. It has some light scratching to the anti-reflective coating at 12 o’clock. This is more visible in the images than during daily wear.

Crown:
The crown is in good condition with only light marking.

Case:
The case is in good condition with the original polished finish. It has a areas of light scratching associated with wear. The bezel has a couple of nicks to the brushed finish, visible in the images.

Caseback:
The case back is in very good condition with only light scratching to the surround. The sapphire crystal exhibition back is in very good condition with no marking.

Bracelet:
The bracelet is in good condition for the age. It has only light scratching associated with wear. It will fit up to a 7.5” wrist circumference.

Movement:
The movement is the Credor calibre 4S77. It is 28 jewel automatic movement, which operates at a hi-beat frequency of 28,800 BPH, with a 50 hour power reserve.

The service history is unknown, but the movement is in good condition and is keeping accurate time to within 8 seconds variation per day. with an amplitude of 300 degrees and a beat error of 0.1m/s.

Case dimensions
Case width: 37.6mm
Case width with crown guard: 41mm
Case width with crown: 42mm
Case length: 35.5mm
Case length lug to lug: 41.75mm
Case depth: 12.8mm
Lug width: 18mm