Japanese watchmaker Seiko has recently been adding some new iterations to their drink-inspired Cocktail Time family. We just saw the launch of two ‘his and her’ models under references SRPK75 and SRE014 inspired by cocktails created by Hisashi Kishi, the iconic bartender and owner of Star Bar in the Ginza district of Tokyo. These designs boast unusually striped gradient dials in cases of steel or rose gold.
For the latest instalment, Seiko are delivering more gradient dials but two with a slightly different texture and housed within dressy yellow gold cases. The new Seiko Presage Cocktail Time “Beer Julep” and “Half and Half” watches are designed to evoke the look of a drink through the glass, cleverly evoking the layers of liquid through a gradient, frosted dial.
The Seiko Presage Cocktail Time “Half and Half” SRPK48 watch showcases the most classic gradient dial. It has a creamy gold centre which gently fades out to a dark brown, almost black threshold. The colour is inspired by a “half and half” cocktail which is made by mixing Japanese ale and stout.
Opting for lighter colouring and a more unique take on the gradient dial, the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time “Beer Julep” SRPK46 mimics the colours of the “beer julep” cocktail. For this one, Mr Kishi mixes Japanese beer with whisky, gin, sugar syrup, lemon, and basil leaves, to create a fragrant and fresh aperitif. The sparkling crispness of the cocktail is cleverly replicated on the textured display, presenting gold at the bottom half which fades into a light silver.
The new Seiko Presage Cocktail Time “Beer Julep” and “Half and Half” watches. Credit: Seiko.
Both Seiko Presage Cocktail Time watches retain all the classy characteristics of the Presage collection. The dauphine hands and faceted indexes are kept sharp and pair with a gold framed date window at 3 o’clock. The only other markings are black printing for the Seiko and Presage logos.
The rest of the specifications for the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time “Beer Julep” & “Half and Half” watches are the same across both models. They present 40.5mm wide and 11.8mm tall gold-plated stainless-steel cases with thin, unadorned bezels, box-shaped Hardlex crystal glass on top and a Hardlex crystal exhibition case back with a 50 metre water resistance. Both also arrive on gold-plated, five-row link bracelets with folding buckles.
Expectedly, the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time watches are powered by Seiko’s in-house 4R35 automatic calibre. It claims to be accurate to +45 / -35 seconds per day and offers a 41-hour power reserve.
Both Seiko Presage Cocktail Time “Beer Julep” & “Half and Half” watches are permanent editions to the Japanese brand’s collection but are currently reserved exclusively for the U.S and European markets. They retail for £470 each.
The new Seiko Presage Cocktail Time “Beer Julep” and “Half and Half” watches. Credit: Seiko.
Technical Specifications:
- Brand: Seiko
- Model: Cocktail Time “Beer Julep” & “Half and Half”
- Price: £470
- Material: Gold-plated stainless steel
- Movement: Calibre 4R35 automatic winding
- Complications: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
- Dial: Textured, gradient in gold & black or gold & silver
- Size: 40.5mm wide, 11.8mm tall
- When the reviewer would personally wear it: The ‘Beer Julup’ model is really beautiful and a nice take on the typical gradient dial. I’d happily wear this as a daily dress watch.
- A friend we’d recommend it to first: A fan of flashy, yellow gold watches.
- Best characteristics of the watch: The gradient dials are lovely and the all-gold case and bracelet goes really well with them.
- The worst characteristics of the watch: There’s nothing major to complain about, but I do wish they came in a little smaller. Maybe 39mm or 38mm?
