Grail Watch Reference

A Reference Library for Watches from Grail Watch

  • Movement Database
  • Grail Watch Blog
  • The Watch Files Podcast
  • Reference Documents
  • About Grail Watch
  • Email
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Powered by Genesis

You are here: Home / Movements / Seiko 4S79

Seiko 4S79

Last Update: February 5, 2020

Brand:Credor, Seiko
Family:
Seiko 4S Family
Height:
Jewels:31
Reserve:40 hours
Frequency:28,800 A/h
Winding:Hand winding
Diameter:
  Complications:Hacking Seconds, Hand Winding, Power Reserve Indicator
Hands:Central Hour Hand, Central Minute Hand, Power Reserve Pointer at 9:30, Small Seconds Hand at 6:00
Distinguishing Technical Characteristics
Hand-Winding
Clockwise Balance Cock
Screw Regulator
Balance
Balance at 4:30
Barrel at 12:00
Production: 1998 – 2015
1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s

Cal. 4S79 is a hand-winding movement with small seconds and power reserve indicator produced by Seiko from 1998 through 2015. It was part of the second “wave” of movements in the Seiko 4S family, which itself was derived from the historic Seiko 52 stream of movements. Cal. 4S79 is similar in design to Cal. 4S29, though has two additional jewels as well as upscale finishing and regulation to -10/+15 seconds per day. Two Credor Cal. 4S79 models are the only chronometer-certified and signed watches in modern Seiko history.

The movement has an unusual look thanks to its complications: It has small seconds at 6:00 and a retrograde power reserve indicator at 9:30. This shows the 40 hour power reserve.

Cal. 4S79, used in Credor watches, was produced much longer than the Brightz Cal. 4S29. It first appeared in 1998 in the Credor Pacifique Chronometer GCAY series, then appeared in the Credor GBAY series starting in 2001. It was also used in the rare GZAY999, of which just 20 were produced. After 2005 it was used in the Credor Node GCAY series until 2015. This makes Cal. 4S79 the longest-lived and last surviving member of the Seiko 4S family.

  • 1998 Credor Chronometer GBAY992 (Limited Edition of 500 in yellow gold)
  • 1998 Credor Chronometer GZAY999 (Limited Edition of 20 in white gold)
  • Credor GBAY992
  • 2001-2002 Credor GBAY996 (yellow gold)
  • Credor GBAY999 (Platinum)
  • Credor GCAY886
  • 2005-2015 Credor Node GCAY987, GCAY989
  • 1999-2002 Credor Pacifique GCAY990, GCAY991, GCAY992, GCAY994, GCAY995, GCAY996, GCAY999

4S79 Certified Chronometers

This 1998 Credor GBAY992 was a limited edition of 500 examples in yellow gold. It was the first mechanical Seiko Chronometer produced since the 1970s.

In 1998, Seiko watchmakers adjusted Cal. 4S79A for chronometer performance, delivering two limited-edition models with chronometer certificates. The Credor GBAY992 was a yellow gold watch issued in a numbered edition of 500. The Credor GZAY999 was a white gold in a limited edition of 20 examples. These 520 watches have the word “chronometer” on the dial, the only such watches from Seiko since the 1970s. They are also the only 4S79 models with a display caseback.

Complicated Seiko 4S Movements

After 2000, Seiko had more diverse mechanical movements to choose from. The 4S family was moved upmarket as a base for modules to use in complicated upscale watches. The last 4S movement was retired in 2015.

ProductionWatchWindingJewelsNotes
4S272003-2007SAGNAutomatic28Retrograde day at 2:00
Date pointer at 6:00
GMT subdial at 9:00
4S292003-2007SAGNManual29Small seconds at 6:00
Retrograde power at 9:00
4S362007-2013SAEN
SARN
Automatic31Independent 24 hour hand
Retrograde day at 2:00
Date pointer at 6:00
Retrograde power at 9:00
4S762004-2010GBBT
GCBT
Automatic31Independent 24 hour hand
Retrograde day at 2:00
Date pointer at 6:00
Retrograde power at 9:00
4S771996?
2000-2005
GCBGAutomatic28Retrograde day at 2:00
Date pointer at 6:00
GMT subdial at 9:00
4S791998-2015GBAY
GCAY
Manual31Small seconds at 6:00
Retrograde power at 9:00
Images are taken from official publications and are used here for commentary and educational purposes. Copyright is held by the original owner as noted.
External Link
External Link

Related Posts

Seiko 4S76

Zenith 68

Seiko 4S36

Zenith 685

Zenith 683

Zenith 687