Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Within the wristwatch community, Seiko is renowned for their unparalleled value at all price points. America seems to have not quite caught on to the incredible range of quality watches Seiko offers, likely because most of their best ones are JDM (Japan domestic market) only, but thanks to the internet you too can enjoy the top Seiko timepieces ordered straight from your home. The entire SARBxxx series offers some of the best mid-level options for every watch lover from a complete beginner to the most invested aficionado, and you cannot go wrong with any of them. However, let's talk more about this model- the SARB065 "Cocktail Time." This is hands down the most spectacular dress watch I've ever owned (and I've owned a lot of watches), and the single feature that distinguishes this watch from every other piece in the SARB line is it's incredible guilloche sunburst dial. The stock photo for this watch is not accurate, there is no blue tint to the dial, it is in fact a spectacular silver with radial sunburst pattern resembling waves with crest and trough alternating as you follow around the center. The dial is immediately eye catching and will radiate in any amount of light, giving the entire watch face an outstanding lustre that I have not seen matched in any wristwatch under $1,000. Let's get to some specifications: Case diameter - 40mm Lug width - 20mm Lug to lug measurement - 46mm Water resistance - 50m Crystal - domed hardlex Case material - stainless steel Movement - Seiko Caliber 6R15, 21,600 beats per hour, hackable and handwinding Caseback - hardlex exhibition So on to the movement: the caliber 6R15 is a workhorse automatic movement ticking away at 6 beats per second. Not as smooth as the Swiss ETA 2824 or other popular high end movements which are 8 beats per second, but the lower frequency generally means less wear on the moving parts and therefore longer service intervals. What Seiko is able to do with their vertically integrated movement manufacturing is nothing short of spectacular. Exclusively in-house, their movements are some of the most accurate right out of the box. My SARB065 is gaining about 3 seconds per day right now, which is phenomenal for a movement in this price point. The ability of the movement to hack, meaning the second hand stops when you pull out the crown, is a very nice feature allowing you to set the time quite precisely and make finer adjustments. It also hand winds so if this is a watch you wear infrequently, you can wind it right back up quite quickly without having to shake it all over the place in your hand to get the rotor spinning. Both of these features are typically exclusive to luxury watch movements, so it is phenomenal to get them at this price point. Everything else about the watch is designed to fit the dress watch aesthetic, and it all comes together to produce a timeless classic. The case is deliberately understated so as not to draw attention away from its flashy dial. The crown is large and tactile for a dress watch, adding some welcomed asymmetry to the design. The leather strap is incredibly soft and fits the overall look quite well, especially with the blue stitching that quite tactfully accents the blue second hand ticking around the dial. A very simple to use deployment clasp protects the leather from the damaging effects of a tang buckle, and is again a welcomed addition at this price point. My only criticism is the thickness of the case, which is a bit too tall for most traditional dress watches. Stacking up at 13mm tall, it has a little more wrist presence than a dress watch should in my opinion, but others may disagree. Overall, I cannot recommend this watch enough. I see it pairing flawlessly with a business formal charcoal suit or even a casual date night button down. This is a watch that yearns to be worn at any social events (hence the nickname), and I guarantee it will elicit as many compliments or more than any Rolex in the room. Don't hesitate on this one!