From whiskies to Negronis: Seiko continues its run of cocktail-inspired Australasian limited editions with the Presage SRPL96J ‘The Conte’
Time+Tide- Seiko’s latest Presage Cocktail Time model, an Australasian limited edition, pays homage to the Negroni.
- It follows 2023’s SRPK50J ‘Irori Moments’ and 2024’s SRPL20J ‘Ichigo Ichie’, both of which were produced in collaboration with Australian whisky distillery Lark and featured accompanying cocktails.
- Similarly, the SRPL96J ‘The Conte’ has an accompanying ‘Seiko Negroni’, and is named after Sydney’s first dedicated Negroni bar.
While most of the watch world had its eyes on Geneva Watch Days, Seiko invited a small number of influencers, industry stalwarts, and media professionals to Sydney’s first dedicated Negroni bar and restaurant to celebrate the release of the newest edition to the Presage Cocktail Time range: the Seiko Presage SRPL96J ‘The Conte’. In the language of luxury, ritual matters. The stirring of a Negroni, the glint of crystal glassware catching the evening light, the measured precision of a mechanical movement keeping time… Each is an act of refinement, elevated beyond utility into the realm of art. With its latest release, Seiko distils these elements into a tasty cocktail watch.
Conceived exclusively for the Australasian market and restricted to 1,000 pieces, ‘The Conte’ is a study in restrained opulence. Its dial, a deep garnet red, is more than a flash of colour: it is a meditation on depth, recalling the presence of the Negroni itself. Under shifting light, it reveals new tones, as though inviting its owner to rediscover it with each glance. The textured surface, inspired by traditional cocktail glassware, offers further intrigue, refracting detail in a way that feels both intimate and elevated. The case, in warm rose gold tone, sits elegantly against the wrist, complemented by a rich brown leather strap that underscores the watch’s versatility. It is a design language of cultivated taste; the kind that whispers rather than shouts.
Seiko’s decision to partner with Conte Sydney, the city’s first dedicated Negroni bar, is no accident. Here, a bespoke “Seiko Negroni” was created for the launch, infused with cherry blossom vermouth to weave a thread of Japanese seasonality into an Italian classic. This cross-cultural dialogue mirrors the watch itself: Japanese precision, Italian romance, universal sophistication. It’s a great cocktail for an even greater watch: we just wish our resident Negroni (and Seiko) lover Pietro had the chance to join us in Sydney!
The watch’s presentation is as considered as the timepiece itself: each piece arrives in a deep red timber box. On the watch, an engraving on the exhibition case back reminds the wearer of its rarity, while the stalwart 4R35 automatic movement powers the whole affair, its gold-tone rotor swinging just like a bartender’s spoon.
Since 2010, the Presage Cocktail Time series has served as a bridge between two crafts: mixology and horology. Both demand patience, balance, and an appreciation for tradition. ‘The Conte’ is perhaps the most evocative chapter in the series yet, offering collectors not just a timekeeper, but a companion for the finer rituals of life. It follows another two Australasian LEs that had their own accompanying cocktails: 2023’s SRPK50J ‘Irori Moments’ and last year’s SRPL20J ‘Ichigo Ichie’, both of which were produced in collaboration with Australian whisky distillery Lark. Aussies love gin just as much as we love whisky, so it makes sense that a riff on a Negroni was next up – we wonder what cocktail and spirit combo might be next…
Seiko Presage Cocktail Time ‘The Conte’ SRPL96J pricing and availability
The Seiko Presage Cocktail Time ‘The Conte’ SRPL96J is an Australasian exclusive (that is, exclusively available in Australia and New Zealand only) of 1,000 individually numbered pieces. Seiko advises that serial number selection is not possible as watches are sent at random. Price: A$950
| Brand | Seiko |
| Model | Presage Cocktail Time ‘The Conte’ |
| Reference Number | SRPL96J |
| Case Dimensions | 40.5mm (D) x 11.8mm (T) x 47.5mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Rose gold PVD stainless steel |
| Weight | 70 g |
| Water Resistance | 50 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Hardlex front and back |
| Dial | Negroni red guilloche effect |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Strap | Brown leather strap, folding clasp |
| Movement | 4R35, in-house, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 41 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| Availability | Australasian limited edition of 1,000 pieces |
| Price | A$950 |