The Seiko Presage SRPC97J1 “Fuyugeshiki”

by Tyler Frederick

Cocktail Time

Of all the watches in the Seiko catalogue, the Presage Cocktail series was the one I should have checked out or paid attention to. The dials of the Cocktail Time always threw me off and looked slightly tacky. Still, that judgement was based entirely on images–a good friend of mine recently bought a Presage SRPB46 (Rose Gold/Brown), and having the chance to get my hands on it changed my view on that watch, but I wouldn’t say it drove me to want one for the collection. Over the last year or so, Seiko has been releasing new dial variations for the Presage Cocktail, and each one has grabbed my attention tenfold. I recently stopped in to visit our friends at Gem Bijou, and my eye was immediately drawn to this beautifully textured white dial Presage: the SRPC97J1, better known as the “Fuyugeshiki” Limited Edition.

Key Features of the Seiko Presage SRPC97J1 “Fuyugeshiki”

The Presage Cocktail collection was inspired by the cocktails created by the legendary Hisashi Kishi, the head bartender for Ginza District’s STARBAR. A new white cocktail inspired the watch on my wrist with a “pure and elegant” aesthetic. The dial on the Fuyugeshiki perfectly reflects that. On another note, Fuyugeshiki translates to “winter scene,” with a beautiful dial texture reminiscent of freshly fallen snow. It looks like a regular white dial from a distance, but as soon as you’re up close and see the intricate detail and true beauty, it pulls you in deeper and deeper. I’ve been calling this the “Baby Snowflake.”

How does it feel on the wrist? Great! The bracelet feels comfortable, and the dimensions make for a relaxed and compact wearing experience. Surprisingly, the case is 40.5mm, but it doesn’t wear like 40.5mm if that makes sense. It feels thin and elegant and cascades across the wrist. For those who’ve worn Presage watches on a bracelet, it’s the same vibe, but the presence on the wrist, thanks to the sizing and that beautiful dial, is fantastic. It’s pure class.

The dial is a perfect example of Seiko doing what they do best. As I mentioned, I’ve been calling this watch the “Baby Snowflake,” as it resembles the Grand Seiko Snowflake. The Fuyugeshiki shows what Seiko is capable of regarding dial finishing, especially from a budget-friendly perspective. I can’t get enough of the texture and “pure” aesthetic paired with the applied, high-polished indices and that blue seconds hand.

Specs

Case	316L Stainless Steel 316L Stainless Steel 40.5mm Diameter 47.5mm Lug to Lug 11.8mm Thick 20mm Lug Width 50m Water Resistance
Dial & Crystal	Raised Boxed Hardlex Crystal Textured White Dial Applied Indices High-Polished
Movement	Miyota 9039 Seiko 4R35 24 Jewels 21 600bph 41-Hour Power Reserve
Strap	Stainless Steel Bracelet

Seiko Presage SRPC97J1 “Fuyugeshiki”

Quibbles

This one was tough. While I understand people love to have the date on a watch, I feel the implementation of a date window wasn’t necessary, and it slightly breaks the design. A balanced dial with an index instead of the date would have been an excellent choice. Other than that, it’s a fantastic watch.

Final Thoughts

The Seiko Presage Cocktail “Fuyugeshiki” Limited Edition is nearly a perfect watch. Dress it up, dress it down, whatever you decide to do, I think you’ll enjoy it. Its simple design and gorgeous dial make it a subtle watch until you get up close and see the true beauty in every tiny detail.

Pricing & Availability

This watch is available through Gem Bijou and their pre-owned selection, and I strongly recommend checking it out.

About the author

Born into a family obsessed with motorsport, Tyler Frederick became enamoured with speed and beautiful cars at a young age. His love of Formula 1–and all things mechanical–eventually lead him to horology. You can follow him on Instagram.

Off The Cuff articles are full-length, hands-on reviews of the watch in question and represent the opinion of the author only. All photos are original, unless specified otherwise. If you would like to have your watch reviewed on this site, contact us here.

Please understand that using any links to products on this site might result in us making money.