Back in 2010, the original Cocktail Time, a predecessor to the new Seiko Presage collection, was born of the most unexpected of collaborations – that of the Japanese manufacture and Ishigaki Shinobu, an inventive  and cosmopolitan mixologist. Hence, Cocktail Time, a namesake inspired by the bartender’s elegant concoctions, carried it with the glamorous appeal of nightlife with its shimmering guilloche dial, setting the tone for what would become the new Seiko Presage collection, more importantly, it was a finely decorated watch will hallmark finishing like those found on more expensive timepieces at more approachable prices.

Approachable Glamour: New 2017 Seiko Presage Collection

Highly coveted, the Seiko Cocktail Time were only introduced to the Japan domestic market but the beauty of these guilloche dial watches coupled with mid three figure prices served to enhance desire for the foundational Seiko Presage range as watch loving cognescenti started blogging and looking for available models on forums. Equipped with the 6R15 calibre at the time, the mechanical Seiko watch was popular with one being particularly outstanding – the SARB065.

Today, the 6R Cocktail Time editions have been discontinued but they live on in new 4R calibre models with a few aesthetic tweaks. The new Baselworld 2017 Seiko Presage models share the same swanky designer neo-classicist aesthetic as the original 6R Cocktail Time editions but are now driven instead by the 4R35 and 4R57 Seiko in-house movements, but more importantly, they’re no longer JDM or Japan Domestic Market only models, instead the rest of the world gets to enjoy the series production new models under the Presage range.

The new 2017 Seiko Presage with center power reserve indicator

Officially launched at Baselworld 2016, the Seiko Presage models cemented its reputation for fine classic watches with the market appeal of outstanding value for money in a diverse array of calibres and finishing. From guilloche to enamel, from simple three hands to chronograph, the Seiko Presage collection powered by 4R to 8R (chronograph) movements are a culmination of Seiko’s watchmaking expertise at its zenith without indulgent artisanal touches and therefore, the pricing matched for competently finished and decorated fine classic watches incorporating mechanical technologies like the Magic Lever, the durable and versatile Spron alloys in their Diashock system, all produced and assembled completely in-house – it is fine Japanese watchmaking at entirely affordable price ranges.

New Seiko Presage versus Old Cocktail Time

Aesthetic tweaks on the new 4R calibre Seiko Presage models have made the new Cocktail Time watches half a millimetre thinner than the original 6R based Cocktail Time watches – that said, it must be noted that the 6R calibre has stricter accuracy tolerances and longer power reserve. However, this shouldn’t necessarily be a point of contention, the new Seiko Presage Cocktail Time editions have updated the hour indexes into a singular ‘wedge’ rather than a two-piece wedge index design.

Three hand, 2017 Time Only Seiko Presage also known as Cocktail Time, well, the new one anyway,

Furthermore, the 4R model has a crown “S” insignia which differs from the original and in terms of “wind-feel”, the deeper knurled crown allows you to feel the responsive tightness of strong torque within the mainspring barrel; contrast gold rotor of thinner design which makes the new Presage eminently more wearable with a barely perceivable update to case thickness.

There are eight models in the new Presage collection, each inspired by a different cocktail and each with its own color scheme. The three hand, time only Seiko Presage is powered by the 4R35 while the 4R57 calibre models drive the Presage power reserve models. While the beloved guilloche dials have returned, some of the new Presage models also possess “smoked” or fume-esque dials, further enhancing the sunray finishing enhanced by seven layers of gloss and topped with the sublime crystal clarity of sapphire.

2017 Seiko Presage Price and Specifications

Seiko Presage with center power reserve indicator: SSA341, 343, 345, 346

Movement 4,800 A/m magnetic resistant manufacture Calibre 4R57 with 41 hours power reserve
Case 40.5mm Stainless steel case with 50 metres water resistance
Strap Stainless steel bracelet with deployment clasp with push button release (SSA341) or Calf strap with three-fold clasp with push button release (SSA343, 345, 346)
Price From US$540

Time Only Seiko Presage: SRPB41, 43, 44, 46

Movement 4,800 A/m magnetic resistant manufacture Calibre 4R35 with 41 hours power reserve
Case 40.5mm stainless steel case with 50 metres water resistance
Strap Stainless steel bracelet with deployment clasp with push button release (SRPB41) or Calf strap with three-fold clasp with push button release (SRPB43, 44, 46)
Price From US$410