It’s the summer and that means it’s time to pick up a cheerful daily beater wristwatch packed with character and colour. While there are many watches that Seiko produce that could fit the bill, I would highlight the Presage Cocktail Time. With their cocktail themed dials, they’re the perfect companion on the wrist for a sun-soaked evening or late night party – ideally next to a pool or in a rooftop sky garden for maximum aesthetic. The latest addition to the range is the new Presage Cocktail Time Crushed Ice, available in a trio of colours.
We’ve been hands on with the Presage Cocktail Time Crushed Ice Blue edition, which somewhat confusingly is called the Emerald Mist despite one of the other colours in the series being green. The green edition of course is called the Mint Mist. In an attempt to logic why the blue version is called Emerald, I researched whether you can get blue emerald stones and the answer is ‘kind of’. Emerald is the name for a type of beryl stone, and you can get blue beryl stone, but we call those stones aquamarines and not emeralds. So really this should be called the Aquamarine Mist and then no one would bat an eye. As it stands, Emerald Mist is still a confusing and misleading name but at the very least, the colour of the dial is the same as a stone that is chemically similar to an emerald.
However, putting my pedantic nature to one side for a moment, if you just think of it as the Crushed Ice blue then you can start to appreciate that this is a gorgeous little watch. The dial features a rough, scratched texture designed to give the impression of crushed ice, which I think it does very successfully. Another detail that works really well is that Seiko have given the radial colour gradient is slightly off-centre, instead of originating from the middle of the dial.
The effect of an off-centre gradient is that the shift in colour intensity across the dial is asymmetrical. This more faithfully creates the impression of a crushed ice cocktail where the liquid of the drink isn’t perfectly distributed through the ice. The same is true for the green and brown versions, which also look good. If you are wondering about the official name for the brown edition, it’s Whiskey Mist.
On the wrist, the Presage Cocktail Time Crushed Ice is well sized too, measuring 38.5mm diameter by 11.8mm thickness. Right in the sweet spot of dress watch design that’s neither too small nor too big. The blue edition is presented on a five-link steel bracelet while the green and brown are on leather straps. The bracelet is nice and comfortable with alternating brushed and polished links as well as a hidden butterfly clasp.
Turning the watch over reveals and exhibition caseback through which you can see the calibre 4R35, one of the most ubiquitous movements that Seiko produces. It has automatic winding and a 41-hour power reserve. One of the advantages of this movement is that it’s so common that it’s easy to repair and service. Plus, it’s Seiko’s most accessible mechanical offering.
Speaking of which, the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time Crushed Ice is priced at £420. For a colourful daily beater, that’s great. Especially as the dial looks far more intricate and interesting than that price would indicate on paper. Honestly, this is my favourite Seiko of the year so far because it exemplifies the spirit of an accessible watch so well.
Price and Specs:
More details at Seiko.
