Good 8j movements in the old Credor Seiko quartz watches, same series as the current ones, but styling is “of its day”. Similar to those 80s Omega, Patek and other things of the time that look quite dated now. Not really a cheap way in to modern Credor (without the Seiko on the dial, they switched some time around early 2000s) but if the style and size appeals, they are well made.
Older ones are plentiful in Japan, most likely to have been owned by a well-off manager during the bubble-era who bought it in person in a high-end department store. Little market now, so prices can be good. As are 90's era GS quartz of course.
I'll post these of my hand-wind Spring Drive Credor at the weakest of invitations, so…
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...aa1c0ec3_b.jpg
I think the current Credor crop are pleasingly and deliberately not aimed at the market outside Japan, hence some “interesting” designs, but I think the lack of international exposure is a good thing. A genuine high quality watch that makes no statement at all to most people. Quite rare in these days of seemingly everyone chasing the same 10 models as everyone else (“stunning”).
It's worth checking the current range by the way, the foreign press tends to swoon over the Eichi with good reason, but there are cheaper ones which I suspect sell rather faster. Quartz start at around £1500.
The modern ones are a secret (shhh…!) and the old ones are what they are - good, old, quartz watches.
TT
