Can a “grail” be attainable? Sure! It just depends on how much money you have and how hard you’re willing to work for it. And some grails aren’t limited in production, just in availability. It’s awfully hard to find a Nomos or an Arnold & Son in a store, and Seiko Credor are unavailable in most markets.
Can a “grail” be affordable? Affordability is in the eye of the beholder: Some people think a Greubel Forsey is affordable, while others must stretch to save up for a Tissot.
So what would be the ultimate attainable and affordable grail? It would have to be difficult to find and highly desirable, yet likely priced a bit higher than most customers are willing to spend. By that metric, the Seiko SARB065 “Cocktail Time” definitely fits the bill!
Update: Seiko appears to have ended sales of the SARB line, including the Cocktail Time, as of 2018. However, you can still get an excellent example through the secondary market for relatively little money.
Let’s start with a little background. Back in 2010, Seiko teamed up with Ishigaki Shinobu, Japan’s “top bartender”, to produces a line of upper-mainstream watches for the domestic market. Shinobu-San designed three “Cocktail Time” watches: SARB065 was “Cool”, SARB066 “Dry”, and the limited (to 300 pieces) SARB068 “Sweet”.
All of these are part of the upper-class Seiko-branded SARB line and use the high-spec mainstream 6R15 automatic movement. A derivative of the plebeian and ubiquitous 7S26 movement, the 6R15 adds hacking and hand-winding and boasts 50 hours of power thanks to a SPRON 510 mainspring. It still ticks at just 21,600 A/h and is lightly decorated, but the 6R15 is at least competitive with lower-mainstream Swiss movements from the likes of ETA.
And the SARB line is made entirely in Japan, unlike the lesser Seiko 5 models found worldwide. It’s nicely finished, too. The distinctive super-sunburst pattern gives the dial serious depth even though it’s actually quite flat. It’s reminiscent of the Venetian “sgraffito” technique.
The case, crown, and crystal are also highlights of the SARB065. The domes crystal gives it a retro touch, though it’s Hardlex mineral not plexiglass. The simple case is really classy, and the signed crown is well finished and comfortable.
One more clever touch I appreciate about the SARB065 is the blue stitching on the black leather strap. It really gives it a subtle hint of color without being overpowering.
Technically, the SARB line is only available in Asia (principally Japan), but they’re fairly easy to get here in the USA. Grey market importers like the reputable and reliable Long Island Watch have the SARB065 in stock, and Japan-based companies like Chino and Seiya will happily mail you one from there. After shipping, you’ll be out about $580, which is on the high end for a Seiko-branded Seiko but hey, it’s a grail!
Or is it? Let me know if you agree that a $600 Seiko can be a grail!
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Dear Stephen,
I got this watch form Seiya Japan online. But I have two questions. One is why is there a rough screechig sound when you turn the watch knob clock wise. But no sound counterclock wise. I am doing this while the watch knob is in the “closed” position. Why is this? I have never had a watch that does this.
Second why is the leather strap “end” facing me. And not at the other side of my arm. I also find this very annoying. Usually the end strap is on the other side of the arm, I’ve never had a leather watch with this configuration.
It should not “screech” when turned clockwise, though it should wind the movement. Could that be what you are hearing? If not, I would contact Seiya for a replacement.
As for the strap end, it sounds like it was installed upside down. The buckle should come out the top of the watch, and the “tongue” from the bottom. This is fairly easy for someone with a watch tool to fix.
Got this SARB065 and it looks totally incredible! It looks like a million bucks! When the sun hits the dial, u will be left speechless. It looks like it belongs alongside the >$10k watch display.
many thanks for an excellent review.
First, that sold you hear is the 6R15 winding. And of course it only engages one way. The strap I got was also put o with the end leather facing you. If you look in the mirror, this ensures that those that see the strap only see the high end black patent leather and not all the buckles, etc. I think this was intentional. I noticed this right away.
Going giftshopping with my fiance today meant her buying me a watch to suit my weddingsuit. As a young and lifelong watch enthusiast I own a variety of watches but untill today…not something to wear at my own wedding.
While going thru the collection of a selection of well known watch stores and dealerships here in Amsterdam we walked into the Seiko store just in case. I had a look around the shop and suddenly I noticed this watch.
The sales lady started laughing and said: you sir, sure know what you are doing today.
She tells me the story as written above without her knowing I’m already sold and afterwards I am definitely sold. I love this watch! It is incredibly beautiful, very comfortable to wear and the only one in the Netherlands that Seiko Netherlands knows off. Love the fact that it’s high quality engineering, a bit out of the box considering the cocktail thing and reasonably priced for something that could last a lifetime and suits my personality this well.
Not sure if I’ll have the wristband flipped yet. Mine’s upside down as well which might look funny wearing a suit and shirt. Being a former bartender I can imagine why it is though. This way you don’t get caught up behind cooler doors etc.
Nice detail: my father owns a Seiko Chronograph for 20 years already, it was an anniversary gift from my mom. They smiled when I told them what happened. If a grail is priceless, then this is.
Yes, a “cheap” Seiko can be a grail. Even if I own more expensive watches, my SARB045 will stay with me as a grail. It is so fascinating how Seiko was able to put all the deep sunburst blue, beautifully finished complex indexes, and the play of polishings and brushings of the case in a relatively affordable watch, which still has a good movement (6R15) and decent water resistance (10ATM). It’s so sad that the SARB series is now gone as it introduced so many bang for buck timepieces.
When the Seiko SARB065 Cocktail time first came out in the United States and the United Kingdom, what was the price of it in the high street department stores.
Just for clarification, the watch does come from the factory with the strap “reversed” compared to the traditional arrangement of the end strap and buckle strap. It’s a Japanese thing. I personally like the loose strap pointing toward my body as it can give a neater appearance and was doing this prior to obtaining my SARB065.
One of my favorite watches although by no means the most expensive. I say this because this watch compares easily to more expensive watches of many brands and the dial is visually stunning to include the blue hue on the seconds hand.