Credor releases a new tourbillon, which they call the Gold Feather with a tourbillon and a new urushi métier d’art on the dial and movement. Press Release information with commentary in italics.
New: Credor Goldfeather Tourbillon with urushi lacquer techniques
The Credor Goldfeather Tourbillon Ref. GBCF999 will retail at EUR 190,000 inclusive of VAT in Europe. Limited Edition of 10 pieces.
Commentary
A new addition to the Credor family is always a reason to celebrate. And with this latest release, Credor picked the Goldfeather collection as the base. But instead of the classical three handed watch in the rest of the collection, the novelty features a brand new tourbillon caliber, and combines it to the traditional Japanese métier d’art of using maki-e and raden urushi. This work creates a motif of feathers by inlaying Japanese lacquer (urushi) in combination with mother pearl and gold in varying thickness (raden) with gold flecks on urushi (maki-e). Both the raden and maki-e are applied on the dial side in the motif of a colourful birds in flight.
And on the movement side, visible on the case-back as a detailed feather on the plate caressing the caliber which is smaller than usual for a case this size. The raden used for this feather is yakougai, the shell of the green turban shell. The bridges on the dial also receive hand engraving depicting the details on a feather.
From the release photographs, this looks like a truly exceptional timepiece. With a beautiful motif inscribed in the said urushi lacquer execution, to the magnificent tourbillon cradled by its wing shaped bridge at the 9 o’clock dial position.
Release details
Since its birth in 1974, Credor has embodied sophisticated craftsmanship and refined elegance. Derived from the French crête d’or, or “crest of gold,” the Credor name has long stood for the highest echelon of watchmaking artistry. The Goldfeather, first launched in 1960, was reborn in 2023 as the Credor Goldfeather, a modern dress watch that strives to embody the qualities of a feather: thin, light, smooth, elegant, and graceful.
Today, the Credor Goldfeather reaches new heights of beauty and performance through a rich combination of urushi lacquer and, for the first time in a Goldfeather watch, a tourbillon.
The dial captures the image of birds soaring into the sky, their ascent tracing a trajectory from the tourbillon carriage at the nine o’clock position to the Credor logo at 12 o’clock. The birds are brought to life through two techniques that are part of Japanese urushi craftsmanship: raden, in which mother-of-pearl in varying colors is delicately inlaid on the lacquered dial, creating a beautiful shimmer against the dark urushi backdrop; and kirikane, a decorative art that involves cutting gold plate into fine lines or shapes and applying it to surfaces. In creating the dial, urushi artisan Isshu Tamura carefully applies each portion of mother-of-pearl and gold plate, which differ in thickness, making controlled layering essential to achieving harmony between the two. He then shaves down the surface with extraordinary precision to create an even finish and bring out the ideal color. This meticulous craftsmanship produces a smooth surface and a depth within the thin lacquer layer, creating a gradation of color that arcs across the soft curve of the dial and evokes the boundless beauty of the sky. The gold flecks encircling the tourbillon carriage are crafted in maki-e, a technique in which gold powder is sprinkled onto the lacquer, with the tourbillon’s motion symbolizing the radiant energy of the sun. The tourbillon bridge assumes the shape of a bird in flight with outstretched wings.
The new Caliber 6850 movement, visible through the sapphire crystal case back, features a dynamic design inspired by the primary feathers that generate lift as a bird ascends into the sky. The motif is expressed through a combination of bold and delicate engraving, as well as raden and maki-e, with the design radiating outward from the tourbillon carriage, echoing the story on the dial.
Hand-applied by a dedicated team of engravers, the grooves are carved with tools of different shapes to give each feather a depth of its own, creating a three-dimensional landscape within just 0.15mm. The tempered blue screws and the greenish-blue hue of the outer feather made with raden and maki-e enhance the overall harmony and striking presence of the design. The raden used in this feather is made of yakougai, the shell of the green turban snail.
This timepiece houses the new tourbillon Caliber 6850, the successor to Caliber 6830, which was introduced in 2016. Maintaining the same compact dimensions as Caliber 6830 (25.6mm in diameter and 3.98mm in thickness), the new movement features an enlarged mainspring barrel that extends the power reserve to 60 hours.
The movement is assembled by master watchmaker Katsuo Saito, who in 2023 received the Medal with Yellow Ribbon, an honor bestowed by the Japanese government upon individuals who have become public role models through their diligence and perseverance in their professions. The movement’s thinness, combined with the extremely small components within the tourbillon carriage, demands exceptional skill at every stage of assembly, adjustment, and mounting. The adjustment of parts such as the spring and pallet fork requires a precision of one-hundredth of a millimeter. Adjusting the space between parts also requires a high level of precision.
While housing a tourbillon movement and featuring Goldfeather’s signature curved form, this creation maintains its slim profile of 8.6mm thanks to a newly developed case. With the mid-case, lugs, and the part of the back that is not sapphire crystal all formed as one part, the design offers a streamlined silhouette. The case is made of Platinum 950, a material that is difficult to polish. Sparing no effort, the case is hand-polished and finished by skilled artisans to ensure smooth surfaces and comfort on the wrist, as well as uncompromising beauty.
This new Goldfeather will be available as a limited edition of 10 starting in October 2025.
Urushi Lacquer Artisan
Isshu Tamura
After mastering the traditional Kaga maki-e technique, which originated in the Kaga Domain (now Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture), Tamura set out to produce his own works of art characterized by unparalleled and intricate beauty. His exquisite artistry, achieved through exceptionally detailed craftsmanship, has earned high acclaim around the world.
Watchmaker
Katsuo Saito
Katsuo Saito has been involved in the assembly, adjustment, and repair of high-end mechanical watches since 2002. In 2017, Saito was awarded the title of Contemporary Master Craftsman (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare), and in 2023, he received the Medal with Yellow Ribbon. One of the few watchmakers capable of assembling the ultra-thin Caliber 68, he trains future watchmakers and shares his expertise through global seminars and demonstrations.
Credor Goldfeather Tourbillon Limited Edition Specifications
Reference: GBCF999
Movement Caliber: 6850 * Driving system: Manual-winding * Frequency: 21,600 vibrations per hour (6 beats per second) * Accuracy: ±15 to -10 seconds per day * Power reserve: 60 hours * Jewels: 22 * Diameter: 25.6mm, Thickness: 3.98mm
Case Platinum 950 case * Crocodile strap with three-fold clasp in Platinum 950 (partly Platinum 900) with push button release * Dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inner surface * See-through case back * Water resistance: 3 bar * Magnetic resistance: 4.800 A/m * Diameter: 38.6mm; Thickness: 8.6mm
Recommended retail price in Europe: €190,000
Limited edition of 10
