Seiko SRPB41 review: Once in a blue moon no more.
Every once in a blue moon, a watch release gathers so much hype that it starts to flood your Instagram page. Mustering all the resistance you have, you shoo away the little devils whispering sweet nothings in your ear — until you see it in the metal. Resistance was futile, and I returned home with my wallet a little lighter.
Affectionately known as the Blue Moon, the Seiko SRPB41 is inspired by a cocktail of the same name. One of the more popular models from Seiko’s Cocktail Time series, I personally think that this and the recently released SRPE15 Mockingbird are the best of the bunch (discounting limited editions). That beautiful sunburst guilloche dial is a wonder to behold and will have you reading the time just to have a look at it.
Case and bracelet
- Diameter: 40.5 mm (excluding crown)
- Thickness: 11.8 mm
- Lug-to-Lug: 47.5 mm
- Lug Width: 20 mm
- Water Resistance: 50 m
The svelte case is finished in a high-polish and a domed Hardlex sits proudly on the bezel. Although less resistant to scratches, I feel that domed Hardlex is the right choice here to give the dial a beautiful distortion and keep the cost down. The exhibition caseback is also made of Hardlex.
The straight lines on the thin lugs complement the case well and does not detract from that glorious blue dial. The curved lugs also ensure that the watch hugs the wrist nicely. A signed crown sits at the 3 o’clock and while it may seem oversized, it does make it really easy to handle. Its 50 m water resistance means that you can wash your hands in peace and is adequate for everyday wear.
The Seiko SRPB41 comes on a bracelet that is similarly finished in a high-polish. The five-link bracelet articulates well for comfort and the while the end links are hollow, it feels sturdy to wear. The bracelet features a butterfly clasp that is integrated, giving it a seamless look when closed. I replaced the bracelet with a navy leather strap as I felt that the metal bracelet didn’t really complement the dial, and I haven’t looked back since. With its 20 mm lug width, strap choices are aplenty.
Dial and Hands Set
And now we get to the main event — take a minute to soak in that gorgeous blue dial. That beautiful sunburst guilloche dial reflects light at every angle and is a light show on your wrist, with the shimmering blue centre transitioning to black in a radial gradient.
According to Seiko, the applied indices are inspired by the stem of a cocktail glass — a nice touch that adds to the story of the watch. Indices on the cardinal hours are slightly thicker to provide orientation. The black date wheel is framed with the same polished metal as well for consistency.
The classic dauphine hands keep with the dressy theme and are beveled with a brushed and polished finish on either side. This helps greatly with legibility on that shimmering dial. The seconds hand with a needle counterbalance complements the overall package well and reminds me of the toothpick for cocktail olives. The Seiko brand at the top is applied, mirrored by two lines of printed white text at the bottom and framing the dial is a printed seconds track in white.
Movement
- Caliber: Seiko 4R35
- Power Reserve: 40 hours
- BPH: 21,600
- Stated Accuracy: +45/-35 sec a day
- Hacking and hand winding
The 4R35 movement is a step up from the common 7S movements found in Seiko 5s and is expected as this price point. The gold rotor is a nice touch, fitting in with the overall flair.
Summary
Watches in the current Seiko Cocktail Time line are a re-release of the original Seiko SARB065 that has since been discontinued. While there are several visual cues that differentiate the new Cocktail Time from its predecessor, the biggest change is the “downgrade” from a 6R movement. Personally, I think this trade off is an easier pill to swallow with the variety of colours we now have in the current lineup. Seiko is still releasing several limited editions and colourways of the Cocktail Time three years after its initial release, and I think this goes to show how well-received this line is.
While the Seiko Blue Moon does carry that bit of flair and isn’t going to go unnoticed, it makes for a fantastic everyday dress watch with its decent specs and reasonable price. It’s one of the rare watches that tells the time and keeps you entertained during boring meetings. With the Seiko SRPB41, once in a blue moon isn’t that long a wait anymore.
