While they might be most notable for creating sturdy budget-friendly watches, Seiko have two sibling brands that exist only to punch up. The better-known Grand Seiko and the lesser-known Credor, whose tiny output allows them to create some of the finest watches on the market today in competition with brands like Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin and so forth. Introduced in 1974 as a collection of precious metal models, Credor began its life rather differently to how we know it today. Branded as "Crêt D'Or", meaning "Golden Crest" in French, it wasn't until 1978 that the brand was spun off into its own collection of watches and renamed "Credor" - as we know it today. Since then, Credor has created some truly spectacular timepieces, with the ref. GBBD950 that we have here a testament to that fact. Made from 18kt yellow gold and featuring a 38mm classically-inspired design, the ref. GBBD950 is a typical dress watch while on the wrist, but its display serves to highlight the artisanal craftsmanship that Credor is capable of and one of Japan’s most famous artworks, the Great Wave off Kanagawa, a woodblock print by Japanese ukiyo-e artist Hokusai. Engraved into its stunning dial, the GBBD950 celebrates Japanese art while also existing as a piece of art itself, and so this limited edition of just 8 pieces stands as a living tribute to one of Japan’s best-known artworks.

A beautiful marriage of horological craftsmanship and traditional artwork, the GBBD950 merges one of Japan's most famous artworks with one of its most revered watchmakers in a perfect union of craftsmanship.