Seiko Presage Cocktail "Acacia" GMT automatic champagne dial leather strap 40,5 mm

Heritage & Presage Cocktail Time Collection

Launched in 2010, the Presage Cocktail Time line brings the atmosphere of Tokyo’s cocktail bars — in particular the Star Bar in Ginza — to the wrist, through textured dials, color gradients, and a distinctive dressy aesthetic. The idea: to make an accessible mechanical watch an object of visual and tactile pleasure, with refined finishes (embossed motifs, faceted hands, applied indexes) without compromising reliability.

Since 2024, Presage has taken an important step with the arrival of the GMT complication powered by the 4R34 caliber. After affordable GMTs appeared in Seiko 5 Sports (and later the Style 60s and Field GMT), it was almost inevitable that the Cocktail Time would also adopt the second time zone — but in a more casual-chic mode than sporty. The SSK041J1 “Acacia” fits perfectly into this trend: an elegant city watch, festive in spirit, yet practical for travel thanks to its independently adjustable 24-hour hand.

Within the initial trilogy (SSK037 Skydiving, SSK039 Rusty Nail, SSK041 Acacia), each model translates a cocktail into a chromatic palette and dial relief. The “Acacia” chooses a subtle honey-yellow shade, designed to catch the light without being ostentatious. Thus, the Cocktail Time DNA is fully preserved: the joy of textures, the play of reflections, and that touch of exuberance that makes the collection instantly recognizable — now enriched with a GMT function designed for everyday use.

Design & Dial

The SSK041J1 “Acacia” stands out with its honey-yellow gradient dial, a warm hue inspired by the eponymous cocktail made with gin, Benedictine, and Kirsch, finished with a twist of lemon. The surface features an embossed sunray motif, a visual signature of the Cocktail Time line, which plays with the light to create vibrant, ever-changing reflections.

The main dauphine hands, thin and faceted, ensure excellent legibility, while the GMT hand takes a more original form: an elongated stem reminiscent of a cocktail glass, painted in contrast to stand out clearly on the dial. It points to a peripheral 24-hour scale, alternating Arabic numerals (in a Breguet-style font) and applied indexes, for intuitive reading of the second time zone.

The polished stainless steel case (40.5 mm diameter, 12.8 mm thickness, 47.5 mm lug-to-lug) gives a confident presence on the wrist without excess. Compact yet luminous, it embraces a “casual chic” identity: too bright to be a pure dress watch, yet refined and elegant within an urban aesthetic. The conical crown, signed Seiko and subtly detailed, provides both practicality and a whimsical touch.

The watch is protected by a box-shaped Hardlex crystal, which enhances the vintage feel and adds depth to the dial. On the back, the exhibition caseback reveals the automatic movement, offering a mechanical glimpse much appreciated by enthusiasts.

Movement & GMT Complication

At the heart of the SSK041J1 “Acacia” beats the in-house 4R34 caliber, derived from the highly respected 4R35. This automatic movement has become a Seiko benchmark, as it finally makes the GMT complication accessible while retaining the robustness and reliability that built the brand’s reputation.

Technical specifications:

• Frequency: 21,600 vibrations/hour (3 Hz)
• Jewels: 24
• Power reserve: approximately 41 hours
• Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, date, independently adjustable GMT hand

This proven architecture makes for simple, practical daily use. The GMT hand, adjustable in one-hour increments via the crown, points to a peripheral 24-hour scale. This is known as an “office GMT” (or “caller GMT”): ideal for displaying a second time zone on occasional trips, or for keeping track of a loved one’s time abroad.

Winding can be performed automatically or manually, and the stop-seconds function ensures precise time setting.