Next Month We’re Taking a Look at Seiko’s New Presage Cocktail Time. This Month, We’re Hands-On With the Original Iteration, the SARB065.
A classic watch, and one that will enjoy decades of relevance, is a hard design to pen. In 2010, Seiko released the SARB065 Cocktail Time, and in my opinion, nailed it.
The SARB065 Cocktail Time is, or was, a Japanese market only watch. If you lived outside of Japan and wanted a SARB065, like the SARB017 Alpinist, you had to acquire yours on the grey market.
In my hands, I have the SARB065, aka the “Cocktail Time Cool“. Before I move on to the updated Presage Cocktail Time next month, I wanted to get hands-on with the aging SARB065 so that I had an accurate basis for comparison. Having spent several weeks with it, I honestly can’t believe I waited so long.
Let’s check it out.
SARB065 Cocktail Time Technical Specifications
- Model Number: SARB065
- MSRP: $550
- Case Diameter: 40mm
- Alternate Models: Alternate and more modern models.
- Movement: Automatic, Seiko 6R15
- Complications: Date display
- Power Reserve: Estimated 50 hours
- Water Resistance: 50m / 165ft
- Crystal Material: Hardlex
About Seiko Watches
Brand Information
Few watch brands are as prevalent as Seiko. The brand’s origins date back to 1881, with the first watch bearing the Seiko name being released in 1924. Notable for many horological “firsts”, Seiko revolutionized the watchmaking industry with their 1964 release of the “Astron”, the world’s first production quartz watch.
Also under the Seiko umbrella are notable watch brands Orient and Pulsar, though there are several others as well.
Comparison
Other options you might consider with similar complications and grey-market affordability:
Other Seiko Watches
Using similar movements and price point:
- Seiko SARB017 Alpinist
- SARB033
- SARY075 / SRPB43J1 – the modern Cocktail Time
Price
Price comparable:
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It’s… Gorgeous
The SARB065 is an appealing watch. Its dial is a stunning display of style and panache, yes, but that’s not what I find so captivating (but it certainly helps). The uniformity of the dial – the quality of its execution – is superb, resulting in a flawless sunburst under any appreciable light source.
That’s what gets my attention. Well, that and the domed Hardlex crystal, anyway.
The SARB065 Lives for Cocktail Hour
The Cocktail Time is an occasion watch, though it’s not picky about which. It looks just as good at the theater as it does at the ball game. It’s not overstyled, but it’s quite reflective.
The dial reminds me of a grand piano, complete with flats/sharps, with long grooves akin to the strings that give the keys their voice. If anything were a trigger for synesthesia, it’s the Cocktail Time.
Notice the quality of the printing on the guilloche, and the precision of the indices and how they’re mounted. I’ve read reviews of the SARB065 that describe its finishing as average, but I fail to see how. I’ve looked up close at hundreds of watches, from micro’s to Swiss luxury, and the SARB065 is among the best. When factoring in its low price, it’s arguably one of the best.
Powered By Seiko’s 6R15 Automatic
My first encounter with the 6R15 was when I reviewed the Alpinist (now a staple in my rotation), and just as it did then, the 6R15 impresses me here. In this particular SARB065 is the 6R15D, which is a “newer” version compared to the 6R15C found in most SARB065’s.
What’s changed over the older “C” variant remains speculation. Seiko’s says is that it’s for manufacturing identification purposes and that the movement itself is unchanged among its variants.
The new Presage Cocktail Time uses a different movement. The closest Presage to the SARB065 is the SRPB43, which is stylistically (nearly) identical but uses a less desirable movement (if only just), the 4R35.
Compared to the 6R15, the 4R35 gives up 9 hours of power reserve and uses less desirable materials. In that respect, if you’re wanting a 3-handed Cocktail Time, the SARB065 has a bigger engine under the hood (so to speak) compared to its contemporary counterpart.
I can’t say with certainty that I prefer the 6R15 over the 4R35, as I’ve never had a 4R in my hands to check out. However, since most their specs are identical, I can’t help but think I’d take the one with a larger power reserve. I suppose we’ll see.
Specifications
- 21,600 bph
- 23 jewels
- 50-hour power reserve
- Hacking & hand-winding
- Date display
Operation
- To set the time, pull the crown to its furthest position (position 3). Turn the crown clockwise to adjust the time. Note that the date display will automatically roll over at midnight.
- To adjust the date, pull the crown to its middle position (position 2). Turn the crown counter-clockwise to change the date.
It’s Rare That Something So Stunning is Also So Affordable
Expect a street price of around $500, though in North American markets, it may swing 10% north or south of that. It’s not an expensive watch, nor is it exclusive. Still, it packs a beauty of a movement – the 6R15 is a robust and accurate movement – and is simply stunning to look at.
The SARB065 is an example of a near-perfect blend of engineering, technical ability, and style.
Comfort & Style
The glossy black calfskin leather has a smooth finish, and the navy blue stitching really pops against it. When I first saw it, lying flat and wrapped in plastic, I was worried it was going to be stiff. But no, the opposite is true.
The calfkskin leather is plush, luxurious feeling. After setting the deployant clasp in place, the strap was immediately comfortable. It is soft and conforms to new shapes easily.
The deployant clasp itself is, of course, finished well and simple to operate. The mechanism feels secure when closed and does not wiggle during operation. It’s a high-quality unit.
A Great Addition to Your Wrist
Based on the SARB065, I am very much looking forward to seeing the new model, the SRPB43J1. I’m curious to see if the new model lives up to the outgoing one.
The SARB065 is a truly excellent watch, and it’s one that I’d recommend to nearly anyone. It’s sized perfectly for most wrists, and on the wrist, it’s an eye-catching and timeless addition. There’s a lot of hype around this watch and I can see why.
Under massive magnification, the dial is even more spectacular. Nowhere on it do I see defective machining or shoddy materials. The SAB065 rivals Swiss watches that cost three or four-figures more than it does, and it’s a good value for its current street price of $500 – $600.
Disclosure: I purchased this watch for $640 CAD from Amazon.ca on January 9, 2018.
Photo Gallery
This watch is exquisite. The dial is mesmerising, providing an unending variety of colours and textures. With close attention to detail, it looks and feels like a much more expensive time-piece. It has a 1960s feel and also feels very Japanese. With a black leather strap, it reminds me of the styling on those 1960s cameras that had loads of shiny chrome. However, whilst marketed as a dress watch, it is chunky. I can certainly imagine wearing it with shirt/tie/blazer or shirt/tie/sports jacket. Not so sure about suits. I might wear it for a normal business day, but don’t think I’d wear it to a wedding, funeral, craft lodge or dinner with a ‘lounge suit’ dress code. I tend to ignore the ‘no wrist watch with a dinner jacket’ rule, but I definitely wouldn’t wear it with a tuxedo. Only James Bond can get away with a chunky watch and black tie! But overall, this watch exudes confidence and, despite its size, is elegant rather than brash. It would not be overwhelmed by a colourful leather strap and I am looking forward to partnering it with bright green, blue or red.
I have 27 watches in my collection. the SARB 065 is a stunner on a par with my Omega De Ville, or my Junghans. the 6r15 is comparable to the ETA 2892 for quality and robustness, In my opinion (which along with $1.50) will buy you coffee most places, this watch if it were Swiss would be an Oris or Longines or Omega. Not on a par with Breguet but who is. Will get many hours of wrist time. very happy camper!
Beautiful watch. I just cannot wait for the fashion is these enormous watches to die forever.