SEIKO Cocktail Time SARB065 Review

Reviewed Watch:

[easyazon_link identifier="B0038OLUMM" locale="US" tag="epicwrist-20" popups="n"]SEIKO Cocktail Time[/easyazon_link]

Overall Rating:

Look & Feel

Quality & Durability

Price

PROS

  • Automatic movement
  • Gorgeous sunburst guilloche dial face design
  • Water resistant up to 50 meters
  • Never requires a battery change

CONS

  • Only released for Japanese Domestic Market
  • A bit thick for a dress watch at 13mm
  • Shiny leather watch band appears cheap

This watch earned its nickname of “Cocktail Time” because of the collaboration between SEIKO and Shinobu Ishigaki, one of Japan’s top bartenders. If you are looking for a stylish watch that will impress guests at a dinner party, an office event, or on a first date, the SEIKO Cocktail Time SARB065 is a dress watch that is both visually appealing and affordable.

SEIKO watches are known for solid craftsmanship, and the SEIKO SARB065 is no different. With automatic movement, good water resistance, and a gorgeous sundial burst design that expands through the 40 mm polished stainless steel case, you might want to make this your next dress watch.

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Key Features

SEIKO Cocktail Time
  • Stainless Steel Case w/ Exhibition Caseback – Allows you to take a look at the auto-movement feature of the watch.
  • Self-winding – Also has a manual winding and “Hack” option that enables you to set precise times.
  • Water Resistant – Rated at 50m which makes it suitable for shallow water use including swimming.
  • Date Display – Located at the 3 pm position to help you keep track of the date.

Review Details

Look & Feel: 4.5/5

The SEIKO Cocktail Time comes in an average-sized 40mm stainless steel case with a fixed bezel and skeleton back. At first glance, the SEIKO SARB065 is eye-catching. The sunburst guilloche dial is comprised of slender silver lines that run from the center to the edge of the watch face. Thus, the face of this watch contains striking shades of silver and blue depending on the lighting.

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B0038OLUMM” locale=”US” src=”https://www.epicwrist.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/SEIKO-Cocktail-Time-SARB065-Back.jpg” tag=”epicwrist-20″ width=“300″]

The hands are silver dauphine and the thin black second hand tipped in a light blue shade, which is another nod to SEIKO’s attention to detail. The branding on the watch is also done tastefully, with “SEIKO”, “Automatic”, and “23 Jewels” in fine black font oriented towards the center of the watch face to reduce clutter. This attention to even the smallest details is what really makes the SEIKO Cocktail Time watch stand out from others. It is also what will draw the admiration of others when it’s on your wrist.

There are a couple reasons the SEIKO Cocktail Time doesn’t receive a 5-star rating for its looks, the watch band, and the thickness. At 13mm, the SARB065 is 2-3mm thicker than most dress watches, thus it loses the sleek feel central to the style. Also, it comes with a shiny black leather band that detracts from the overall quality look of the watch. The 20mm wide, padded, oiled-calfskin band is comfortable on the wrist. It features elegant blue stitching along the side. Despite these qualities, it still appears cheaply made. Thankfully, this can be easily remedied by purchasing a replacement band if you choose to do so.

Build Quality & Durability: 4.9/5

The SARB065 is powered by SEIKO’s Caliber 6R15 automatic movement, which is a durable, quality mechanism used in many of their mid-level and diving watches. The automatic movement is a great feature because it allows the watch to avoid the use of a battery, which many lower-tier dress watches require.

The Cocktail Time watch also features a "Hack" Function, which is great because it allows you to adjust even the second hand. Pulling out the crown freezes the second hand, allowing you to then set the precise time. This "Hack" Function might come in handy because the Caliber 6R15 movement has a -15 and +25 seconds per day accuracy. But it isn’t likely that you will consistently gain or lose that many seconds during a day. The "Hack" Function gives you the opportunity to reset your watch precisely when needed.

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If you want a dress watch with a smoothly sweeping second hand, the SEIKO Cocktail Time features 21,600 vibrations per hour, which equates to 6 beats per second. While some people enjoy a higher beat rate for a more fluid motion, the 6 beats per second enable the SEIKO SARB065 to hold an impressive 50 hours of power reserve.

SEIKO has a long history of delivering high-quality watches. Consequently, the SEIKO Cocktail Time benefits from over a hundred years of experience. Though the watch weighs in at just 3.04 ounces, it is packed with quality design and craftsmanship.

Price: 4.75/5

When it comes to dress watches, it is hard to find a well-built, stylish watch for around $400. That is why the price point on the SEIKO Cocktail Time is reasonable despite the issues with the watch band. You are not only getting superior craftsmanship that is backed by the SEIKO brand name, but you are also getting a very appealing looking watch. With a stylish radiant sunburst dial design and high-quality mechanisms, this watch looks to be worth every penny.

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How Does It Compare?

Tissot Heritage Visodate Automatic

With the same combination of a leather band and silver/white watch face, the Tissot Visodate does have a similar appearance. The main difference here is that the shiny brown leather band that the Tissot sports, looks less cheap than the SEIKO’s. Although, when taken as a whole, the SEIKO does appear classier. If you are going for a more casual look, the Tissot Heritage might be a better option than the SEIKO Cocktail Time.

[easyazon_link identifier="B0041Q44T2" locale="US" tag="epicwrist-20" popups="n"]>Check It Out<[/easyazon_link]

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Tissot Chemin Des Tourelles

Both of these watches are automatic and essentially fall into the same price range. With a black leather band that is almost shiny enough to rival the SEIKO Cocktail Time, the Tissot Chemin Des Tourelles is a watch that closely mirrors its appearance. Both watches boast stainless steel cases with exhibition case backs and are water resistant up to 50 meters. The SEIKO Cocktail Time has a sleeker design, yet the Tissot Chemin Des Tourelles is a good option if you are looking for a more timeless watch that will go with just about any outfit choice.

[easyazon_link identifier="B011QUKTCQ" locale="US" tag="epicwrist-20" popups="n"]>Check It Out<[/easyazon_link]

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Hamilton Intra-Matic H38455751

With a silver face and black leather strap, the Hamilton Intra-Matic H38455751 is another watch competing with the SEIKO Cocktail Time. Also sporting an exhibition (or skeleton) back, date display, and water resistance up to 50 meters, these watches contain many of the same key features. The Hamilton Intra-Matic H38455751 is a bit pricier than the SEIKO SARB065, so if a budget is constraining you, the SEIKO might be a better option. However, if budget is not a concern, the Swiss made Hamilton is well-crafted and the strap definitely looks better in my opinion.

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About the Author James Moore

Hello! My name is James and I am the creator and editor of this site. I have loved watches ever since my grandpa showed me his collection when I was a little boy. My goal is to help others find the right watch for themselves or for someone special. Take a look around and feel free to ask questions and leave comments.

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