Seiko Launches Presage Cocktail Time Star Bar Watch Inspired by ‘Night Time Tokyo’ Drinks



If there’s one thing the Japanese and the British have in common, it’s that they love a drink after get off work. While the British love to go to the bar, for the Japanese workers, Tokyo’s nightlife is what’s most important. Where does all this preamble lead to? Well, Seiko has just launched the latest member of the Presage Cocktail Time series, the Star Bar “Night Time Tokyo”.

You’re most likely already familiar with the concept of Presage Cocktail Time, Seiko’s affordable dress watch series, whose dials are inspired by famous cocktails and drinks. However, the latest version, available in two sizes, 30.3mm and 40.5mm, is based on a completely new cocktail, rather than a historic one. It’s specifically based on the “Night Time Tokyo” drink, which is mixed by the head bartender of Star Bar, an international award-winning venue in Tokyo.

The watch’s dial features a suitably atmospheric and melancholic design. It features a swirling, uneven gradient that goes from black to grey, with a chaotic scratch-like texture underneath, meant to evoke images of ice cubes being pushed against the side of a cocktail glass. The gold hands and hour markers represent the lights flickering against the dark sky of Tokyo at night. You can imagine the kind of scenery Akira rides his bike through.

The bezel of the 30.3mm subdial is set with a circle of white gemstones, which adds a feminine touch to the watch. It adds an extra texture to the display, which isn’t unpleasant, but overall I prefer the clean design of the larger dial.

Powering both versions of the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time – Star Bar ‘Night Time Tokyo’ is the 4R35 movement, one of Seiko’s standard, easy-to-use movements. It has a 40-hour power reserve and runs with an accuracy of +45/=30 seconds per day. Not amazing numbers, but solid enough for an entry-level mechanical timepiece.

Model: Seiko Presage Cocktail Time 'Starbar'
Reference: SRPK93 (40.5 mm), SRE015J1 (30.3 mm)
Case: 40.5 mm or 30.3 mm diameter, stainless steel
Dial: Black and grey gradient, inspired by the drinks at the Ginza Starbar
Movement: Seiko 4R35 automatic, 22 jewels
Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)
Power reserve: 40 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Strap: Stainless steel