INTRODUCING: The Seiko Presage SRPF41J and SRPF43J raise the bar with new and limited cocktail flavours

Zach Blass

The Seiko Corporation, across its various brands, is known for making competitively valued watches with beautiful dials you cannot find from other brands – even at higher price points. The cocktail watches, as of late, have incorporated some gorgeous dial tones and textures, all of which are eye candy to the wearer and those who spot the watch. Seiko raises the bar once again, introducing two new flavours of their cocktail watches with the limited edition Seiko Presage SRPF41J and SRPF43J.

The case

The case is made of polished stainless steel in a wearable happy medium of proportions that should please all camps of wrist sizes.

The diameter is a modern 38.5mm, but with a lug to lug of 45.35mm it is a very compact watch for its size. With a thickness of 11.79mm, this watch and its Hardlex glass crystal will definitely slip under a cuff when attending a nice cocktail hour.

The watch is 50 metres water resistant, which is quite robust for a rather dressy piece. Personally, I would not take the watch into the water, but I could see it joining me on a hike or camping trip with friends (at least when that becomes safe again).

The dial(s)

There are two dial colour choices. The SRPF41J has a green dial with silver-toned Arabic numerals and markers, while the SRPF43J has a brown dial with gold-toned Arabic numerals and markers.

The Arabic numerals and markers alternate, with only even numbers displayed on the dial. Each has a date aperture at the 3 position, the black disc blending well into the green, and a white disc interrupting the brown slightly.

Both feature a gradient of colour, fading to black or a darker colour tone as you reach the outboard extremities towards the minute hash markers. The Seiko Presage SRPF41J and SRPF43J watches are distinct from others within the lineup as they are outfitted with a new grain texture to the dial.

The result is the green looks like fresh cut grass, while the brown evokes colour tones of early film – a sort of sepia with graining imperfection as it plays.

The strap(s)

The Seiko Presage SRPF41J and SRPF43J each come with a dial-matching leather strap, but there is definitely more room to play when it comes to band configurations and aesthetics. Seiko makes it incredibly easy to swap and add new straps with a quick-release tab available underneath the leather. Pull on the tab and voila — you have played watchmaker without any tools or hassle. Each are 20mm in width and made of supple calf leather.

The movement

Visible beneath the exhibition caseback of the SRPF41J and SRPF43J watches you will find the Seiko calibre 4R35.

The movement is self-winding with a skeletonised gold-tone rotor that is visually pleasing and allows the wearer to view more of the plates and bridges beneath. It is accurate within +45/-25 seconds a day and has a power reserve of 41 hours.

Seiko Presage SRPF41J and SRPF43J pricing and availability:

Both watches are available now for pre-order, with dispatch set for December 2020. Each are limited editions of 7000 pieces worldwide, and are both priced at $750 AUD. Any purchase through Seiko Boutiques and the Seiko Boutique Online Store will have a 5-year limited guarantee.