At Baselworld 2017, Seiko offered up a menu of colorful new models in its all-mechanical Presage collection, with dazzling dials inspired by classic cocktails (I review the Martini-dial model here). This winter, the Japanese brand invites us to belly up to the bar for a second round, introducing a pair of new Presage timepieces designed to evoke two cocktails invented by master mixologist Hisashi Kishi, owner of the Star Bar in Tokyo’s world-famous Ginza district.
Seiko Presage “Starlight” Ref. SSA361
Each of the two new models is available in two references, one a simple three-hand with date (powered by Seiko’s Caliber 4R35); the other with a date subdial at 6 o’clock and a peripheral power-reserve display with a cheekily designed indicator hand in the shape of a martini-glass stem (powered by Seiko’s Caliber 4R57; both are automatic movements with 41-hour power reserves). One of the new models has a deep blue dial with a cloudy, radiating motif that is designed to evoke the tiny bubbles in Kishi’s Starlight cocktail, which itself is mixed to resemble a starry night sky. Kishi, a winner of the International Bar Association World Championships, achieves the distinctive look by shaking the cocktail’s ingredients in their mixer in a special manner he refers to as an “Infinity Shake,” which creates the sparkly, bubbly effect. The dial’s blue color is continued on the calfskin strap. Seiko Presage “Starligh...