Credor GCCD993 “Ice at Dawn” – Shippo Enamel Limited Edition of 60
Model: Credor GCCD993 “Ice at Dawn” – Shippo Enamel Limited Edition of 60
Overview:
The Credor GCCD993, commonly known as “Ice at Dawn,” is an exceptionally rare 45th Anniversary model combining traditional Japanese Shippo enamel craftsmanship with Credor’s refined mechanical watchmaking.
Its dial is inspired by ice floating across the surface of water immediately before dawn. A spiral arrangement of octagonal forms expands outward across the dial, while the color gradually transitions from a pale icy blue at the center to increasingly darker shades of blue toward the perimeter.
Rather than creating this effect through conventional printing or lacquer, Credor commissioned the historic Ando Cloisonne Company to produce the dial using traditional Shippo enamel techniques. The result is a remarkably dimensional surface where the underlying geometric pattern remains visible beneath the translucent, glass-like enamel.
History:
The GCCD993 was introduced in 2019 to commemorate the 45th anniversary of Credor, which traces its beginnings to 1974.
The broader theme of the anniversary collection was “Dawn,” representing the beginning of a new era for Credor. For the GCCD993, the specific inspiration was ice floating on the surface of water during the moments immediately before sunrise.
Creating the dial required the involvement of the Ando Cloisonne Company, one of Japan’s most historically important Shippo enamel ateliers. Founded in the 19th century, Ando has a history spanning more than 150 years and has produced cloisonné works associated with Japan’s Imperial Household.
The dial begins with a pure silver base carrying the intricate pattern of radiating octagons. Four specially formulated shades of blue Shippo enamel are then used to create the transition from the light center toward the considerably darker outer edge. The enameling, firing and polishing processes are repeated to create the smooth, translucent surface while preserving the geometry underneath.
Only 60 examples of the GCCD993 were produced, with an original Japanese retail price of ¥1,000,000 before tax.
Specifications and Condition:
Overall: Like New
Case: Excellent
Crystal: Flawless
Dial: Clean
Movement: Running well
Bracelet/Strap: With unused original bracelet and original strap
Box/Papers: Fullset
Movement:
Seiko / Credor Caliber 6L75
Automatic with Manual Winding
Dimensions:
38.5mm Case Diameter
Approximately 10mm Thickness
Closing Note:
The GCCD993 is an excellent example of what makes the upper reaches of Credor so different from the broader Seiko catalogue. Its rarity is considerable at only 60 pieces, but the greater significance of the watch lies in the amount of traditional Japanese craftsmanship contained within its dial.
The “Ice at Dawn” concept is translated quite literally into the watch. The center begins in a pale, almost frozen shade of blue before gradually becoming darker toward the perimeter, resembling the transition between the final darkness of night and the first light of morning.
More impressive is how that gradient was achieved. Rather than simply spraying or printing different shades onto the dial, four specially formulated colors of Shippo enamel were used over a pure silver base. Beneath the translucent enamel is an intricate arrangement of octagonal forms spreading outward from the center, giving the dial considerably more visual depth as the angle of light changes.
The Ando Cloisonne Company was particularly well suited to the task. With more than 150 years of history and a longstanding connection to some of Japan’s most prestigious decorative arts, the atelier represents exactly the type of traditional Japanese craftsmanship that Credor has increasingly incorporated into its highest-end watches.
Despite the complexity of the dial, the rest of the watch remains remarkably restrained. The thin Caliber 6L75 allows the GCCD993 to maintain a case thickness of approximately 10mm, preserving the elegant proportions expected from the Linealx collection. The movement is also visible through the exhibition caseback, providing a mechanical counterpart to the traditional craftsmanship displayed on the front.
Limited to only 60 pieces worldwide, the GCCD993 is considerably more than simply a rare blue-dial Credor. It brings together traditional Shippo enamel, a historic Japanese atelier, an exceptionally small production run and a slim mechanical movement in a watch created specifically to commemorate Credor’s 45th anniversary.
For a model nicknamed “Ice at Dawn,” the dial is ultimately what makes the name so appropriate: a surface that transitions from icy pale blue to deep blue while its geometric pattern seems to emerge and disappear beneath the enamel depending on the light.