When people invariably ask me to recommend a dress watch to them this is almost always in my list regardless of price. For most people this would be the watch to put on for a night out to dinner or to wear to an event where they wanted to add a little sparkle to their outfit. This brings us to the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time SRPB41J1 AKA the Blue Moon.

At 40mm the case is a fantastic size and finished to a perfectly acceptable standard for a watch in this price bracket. The polishing on the case and hands is done well, and it adds a sense of glamour to the piece that most would presume would cost far more than it actually does.

The real star of the show of course is that dial! Nicknamed the blue moon it’s a fantastically textured blue sunburst that catches the light across the dial facets in so many ways it always remains mesmerising.

The display case back is an interesting option which for some maybe unwanted. In honesty, although it may be interesting the Seiko caliber 4R35 movement isn’t decorated so I would have preferred to have seen a solid case back with maybe a nice engraving. Failing that maybe a simple one and then put that cost saving towards a better bracelet. The bracelet is not terrible and for most would be perfectly fine but with limited adjustments and just a feel that is slightly more on the side of cheap than I would like. This is easily remedied with a quality strap which is the route I chose.

So should you buy a Seiko Presage Cocktail Time SRPB41J1?? If like me you wear mainly sports watches but need something more dressy from time to time then this is an exceptional watch for the price. I added the strap in these photographs and I think as an overall package this Seiko is tough to beat. With Seiko reliability, you will be staring at that stunning dial for many years to come and that sounds like a bargain to me!