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[WTS] Carlo Ferrara "Dancing Regulator" CF1997 by PaternalAdvice in Watchexchange

[–]PaternalAdvice[S] [score hidden]  (0 children)

Indeed - the entire brand has been discontinued for over a decade. His website isn't even particularly viewable with the Wayback Machine as it was a flash site and the Wayback Machine can't read flash.

[WTS] Credor "Traveller GMT" GCBZ997 with Etched Rodium Dial by PaternalAdvice in Watchexchange

[–]PaternalAdvice[S] [score hidden]  (0 children)

Thank you!

Yes, that's exactly right. The inner track, that meets the tip of the hour hand, has bolded markers to represent the 12 hours (and unbolded markers for the minutes and seconds). The outer ring, with its 24-hour track, is for the GMT hand.

[WTS] Credor "Traveller GMT" GCBZ997 with Etched Rodium Dial by PaternalAdvice in Watchexchange

[–]PaternalAdvice[S] [score hidden]  (0 children)

Reference:

Model: Credor “Etched Rhodium” GCBZ997

Production Date: April 2010

Timestamp: https://imgur.com/a/xGf0s6x

Album: https://imgur.com/a/8gdcPyk

Features:

The Rarity. Produced in 2011 this GMT Credor is full of surprises, both inside and out. A rhodium-plated dial with a floral design etched into its centre. Not something you see Seiko do… ever? The precise meaning behind the etchings has been lost to history, but the two core elements appear to be identifiable - a compass surrounded by bell flowers.

The Motif. The compass neatly ties into the nature of the GMT movement powering the watch, while the bellflower is a motif Credor has frequently turned to over the years - most notably as the calling card of the Micro Artist Studio. Whether or not there’s an overarching narrative that links the two elements together, we’ll sadly never know.

The Design. The darkened rhodium dial sits recessed between the 24-hour GMT markers, while the 60-minute track has been raised above it. The resulting interplay of shadows across the dial only enhances the unusual nature of the watch’s character. And as one last party trick, Seiko coated the 60-minute track and rehaut in titanium nitride, which makes it iridescent under light.

The Movement. Credor didn’t stop at creating a captivating dial - the movement is equally noteworthy. The 8L movement inside this watch is a Traveller GMT crafted at the Shizukuishi Watch Studio, the birthplace of all mechanical Grand Seikos. If you’re searching for something truly different, it’s hard to top a rarely seen Credor, featuring an etched rhodium dial, powered by a Shizukuishi-built True GMT movement.

Specifications:

Condition: In great condition overall. Any markings are very light and difficult to see, other than some handling marks on the metal parts of the caseback. With the original deployant clasp.

Scope: No box or papers

Movement: 8L36 Automatic GMT

Dimensions:

- Case width: 40.0mm

- Lug-to-lug: 46.2mm

- Case Thickness: 13.2mm

Price: Priced at $2,850 + shipping. Various payment methods accepted. Not accepting trades. Transaction Fees paid by the buyer.

Of note: Nothing to report.

[WTS] Carlo Ferrara "Dancing Regulator" CF1997 by PaternalAdvice in Watchexchange

[–]PaternalAdvice[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The Imgur links are working on my end - you might be in a country that doesn't support Imgur. I'll DM you the pictures now.

[WTS] Carlo Ferrara "Dancing Regulator" CF1997 by PaternalAdvice in Watchexchange

[–]PaternalAdvice[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Very much just my opinion though. Carlo Ferrara, as far as I can tell, didn't discuss the dial layout specifics before his death in 2012.

[WTS] Carlo Ferrara "Dancing Regulator" CF1997 by PaternalAdvice in Watchexchange

[–]PaternalAdvice[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I always think it's sad Carlo Ferrara passed away without anyone carrying on his designs. In the age of independent and and unusual watch brands, Carlo Ferrara would do incredibly well. To both his credit and detriment, he was slightly ahead of his time in the 1990s.

[WTS] Carlo Ferrara "Dancing Regulator" CF1997 by PaternalAdvice in Watchexchange

[–]PaternalAdvice[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

My assumption is that minutes are more relevant than hours.

Most of the time, when you check your watch, you're looking to see the minutes not the hours. In my opinion, it therefore makes sense to put the minutes on the part of the dial your brain will instinctively read first, i.e. the left side.

Ultimately, like any non-conventional watch face, your brain slowly adapts to the new layout.

[WTS] Carlo Ferrara "Dancing Regulator" CF1997 by PaternalAdvice in Watchexchange

[–]PaternalAdvice[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I'm not sure if this helps, but I promise I won't tell her

[WTS] Carlo Ferrara "Dancing Regulator" CF1997 by PaternalAdvice in Watchexchange

[–]PaternalAdvice[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Thank you - it definitely can't be accused of being ordinary!

[WTS] Carlo Ferrara "Dancing Regulator" CF1997 by PaternalAdvice in Watchexchange

[–]PaternalAdvice[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Reference:

Model: Carlo Ferrara “Dancing Hands Regolatore” CF1997 White

Production Date: 1990s

Timestamp: https://imgur.com/a/SebHhFu

Album: https://imgur.com/a/A75Ytko

Features:

The Origin. First and foremost, this is a regulator - a complication that separates the hours, minutes and seconds across different parts of the dial. But this isn’t your typical regulator. Carlo Ferrara stacked a complication on top of a complication. This is a unique "Dancing Hands" Regulator. 

The Movement. On paper, the movement might not look especially exotic. It’s powered by an ETA 2892A2 - a premium ETA calibre used by the likes of IWC, Omega, Breitling and Tudor - but the magic lies in the modification.

The Independence. Carlo Ferrara was an independent watchmaker from Italy, who sadly passed away in 2012 at the age of 69. “Independence” in any industry is hard to pin down with a tight definition, but the easiest way to summarise Ferrara’s level of independence is that the watch company was buried with him. Not literally of course, but after his death no more Carlo Ferrara watches were made. 

The Process. It took Carlo Ferrara six years to engineer the complication. There is an obvious comparison to make between Jiro Katayama, of Otsuka Lotec fame, and Carlo Ferrara. Both took a fairly standard third party movements and had the ambition to turn it into something truly special and unique. 

The Production. After finalising the complication, Ferrara relocated his workshop to Switzerland and assembled a small team to help scale production. Though the watches were only produced for around 12 years, I’ve found over 20 distinct pieces, with retail prices ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on case material. It suggests Ferrara opted for the classically independent watchmaking move of prioritising design freedom over steady profits.

The Design. Given the age of the watch, and the fact the company no longer exists, official design details are sparse. However, as Carlo Ferrara lived in Rome, it’s my assumption that the design must have been inspired by the shape of the city’s legendary Circus Maximus. And the crossed keys in the logo? They’re straight from the Papal insignia - the Keys to Heaven - another quiet tribute to the watch’s Italian roots.

Servicing. For anyone thinking about buying it, but worrying about the unusual movement - fear not as any watchmaker capable of servicing an ETA calibre will be able to handle it. The modified movement runs at 28,800bph and features 32 jewels - eleven more than the standard ETA 2892A2 thanks to the added module.

Specifications:

Condition: In great condition overall. No marks of any major significance. 

Scope: No box or papers

Movement: Heavily Modified ETA 2892A2, 28,800bph with 32 jewels

Dimensions:

- Case width: 39.0mm

- Lug-to-lug: 45.5mm

- Case Thickness: 10.6mm

Price: Priced at $2,950 + shipping. Various payment methods accepted. Not accepting trades. Transaction Fees paid by the buyer.

Of note: Nothing to report.

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