Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Surprising New Seiko Presage Cocktail Time Star Bar SSA455 & SSA457 (Live Pics & Price)
Two dial colours with radical cutouts honour Tokyo’s rich nightlife and STAR BAR cocktails.
Seiko is adding to its Presage Cocktail Time series with two limited edition STAR BAR models featuring a pattern of cutouts exposing the in-house automatic. Grab a cocktail for your wrist as the watches represent Tokyo’s STAR BAR in Ginza, where innovative cocktails are created by award-winning owner and head bartender, Hisashi Kishi. The Presage Cocktail Time collection is known for both style and affordability, and this pair is no exception. The partially skeletonized dials mimic ripples spreading out on a cocktail’s surface, but also look very modern and stylish in and of itself.
The dial comes in two colours that mirror specific STAR BAR cocktails. A textured white dial with some darker shades represents the drink Illumine, while a gradient crimson dial represents Red Brick. Both cocktails are STAR BAR originals and the colours were also inspired by the Tokyo cityscape. Ten cutouts form the ripple effect from left to right, starting at the balance (or heart of the piece) at 9 o’clock. The last three ripples frame the main dial text at 3 o’clock. The faceted applied indices overlap the cutouts and resemble stems from cocktail glasses, while the sword-style hour and minute hands match the aesthetic. The seconds hand has a cool open-worked counterweight.
The polished stainless steel case is 40.5mm in diameter and has a box-shaped Hardlex crystal and screw-down exhibition case back. The oversized and signed onion(ish) crown complements the case well and water resistance is rated at 50 metres. Each comes fitted with a leather strap and three-fold clasp with push-button release. The strap is black on the white dial and brown on the crimson, and comes with quick-release levers for a tool-free change.
Powering the pair is Seiko’s in-house calibre 4R72 automatic. It has 24 jewels, beats at 21,600vph (3Hz) with a 41-hour power reserve. It’s hand-windable and features hacking seconds, and is skeletonized for open dials. Seen through the exhibition caseback, there’s a nice gold finish and partially open-worked rotor. It’s an entry-level movement, but also a reliable workhorse.
Each is limited to 5,000 pieces and comes in a custom, limited edition box. They retail for EUR 610 and will be available in October 2022. For more information, please visit Seiko’s website.
3 responses
The cutouts ruin two beautiful dials. I don’t see the value in looking at a 4R movement, either in front or back.
I’ve lost count on how many watches now come as “limited” models. Cut outs to display a mass produced nothing extraordinary movement? Most watchmakers now come out with nothing but silly superficial features to sell something that really has little use with the smartwatches & phones that have largely replaced archaic timepieces
I have the white one and I really enjoy the way it looks and sounds. The little tink of the mechanism winding is really nice and the gold interior often washes a lot of yellow light over the dial.
Compared to wearing a more traditional dial It feels like a lot more bang for the buck. I don’t really have much interest in how the movement works other than I like how dynamic it makes the face as a whole. The finish quality is really good when compared to other limited edition’s I’ve seen.
Admittedly I think the Burgundy version is trash. It doesn’t capture light the same and I could see horrible variation in the text on dials over 3 watches. The two champagne ones I’ve handled were consistently flawless to my eye.
Would also agree it’s probably aggressively showy, but that makes it fun to me. The champagne 100 percent deserves an un touched dial as well. It really is a beautiful finish and I fully understand the movements nothing origins being distasteful. I find the fact we can make something this delicate and reliable ( I average +3-2) cool.