The Seiko Cocktail Time watch collection has become somewhat of a cult classic for watch collectors since it was launched in 2010. Over the past decade, the series has welcomed a wide number of core-collection and limited edition models each inspired by a particular cocktail, reflecting the colours and characteristics in its design. Doing just that is a new duo of Seiko Presage Cocktail Time ‘Red Brick’ & ‘Illuminate’ watches, boasting complex skeleton dials coloured in their beverage’s respective hue.
In Tokyo’s famous Ginza shopping district, the same place the Seiko Wako Clock Tower calls home, is an abundance of bars cementing the cocktail culture of the city. Inspired by it, Seiko collaborated with one of the best bartenders and mixologists in the world, Ishigaki Shinobu of the Ishinohana Bar in Tokyo to create the inaugural Seiko Presage Cocktail Time collection in 2010. The series launched with three Japan-exclusive models including one known as the Cocktail Time “Cool”, a model which remains highly collectible to this day. International fans demanded their own set of Cocktail Time watches and seven years later they got it. In 2017, the Seiko Cocktail Time collection become a permanent part of the Presage line which each watch named and inspired by a different cocktail.
Expanding on the collection is a new pair of Seiko Presage Cocktail Time ‘Red Brick’ & ‘Illuminate’ Limited Edition watches, each part of a 5,000 piece run and available to order worldwide. Both match in much of their specification including the perfectly round stainless steel case, diameter of 40.5mm and height of 11.59mm. The tapering lugs and smooth unadorned fixed bezel are brightly polished and at 3 o’clock, a large, knurled crown allows you to manipulate the automatic winding movement within. We’re also warranted a 50 metre water resistant rating, box-shaped Hardlex crystal glass and the Calibre 4R72 movement.
The Calibre 4R72 isn’t one of Seiko’s most technically impressive automatic winding movements but it certainly upholds their philosophy for accuracy. With no date complication in sight – thank god – it delivers three classic hands for the hours, minutes and seconds, a power reserve of 41 hours and a frequency 21,600vph. There’s also 24 jewels, some of which can be spotted through the openwork dial and exhibition case back, and an accuracy rating of +45/-35 seconds a day.
The real novelty of the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time ‘Red Brick’ & ‘Illuminate’ watches is of course the dial. Both designs deliver a modern twist on the classic skeleton style, boasting unique horizontal streaks that increase in size across the display. The layout of the openwork decoration reminds us of the silhouette of a lotus flower on the side, its petals brought to life by the gold plated movement beneath. The dials then elect sharp faceted indexes to mark the hours and sword shaped hands in silver or gold for the hours and minutes. The seconds hand is a classic straight line with a nice openwork counterweight.
The Seiko Presage Cocktail Time ‘Red Brick’ watch takes its name from the ‘The Red Brick’ cocktail which like the dial, boasts a delicious gradient of red and burgundy. The rich dial boasts a brighter shade of red at the centre which gets darker at the circumference. Like the drink, the dial also has a subtle shimmer to its surface. Meanwhile the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time ‘Illuminate’ watch boasts a cream display adorned with a unique ripple texture designed to represent the glistening of the ‘Illuminate’ cocktail as it settles on the bar after being carefully mixed.
The Seiko Presage Cocktail Time ‘Red Brick’ Limited Edition is completed by a brown calfskin leather strap with gorgeous burgundy-coloured stitching to match the dial. In contrast, the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time ‘Illuminate’ Limited Edition elects a black calfskin leather strap with cream stitching. Both straps close by a stainless steel three-fold clasps with push button release.
If you’d like to learn more about the new Seiko Presage Cocktail Time ‘Red Brick’ & ‘Illuminate’ watches and get your hands on one of the 500-piece limited editions for yourself, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
