SEIKO PRESAGE SRPE45J1 COCKTAIL TIME AUTOMATIC MEN WATCH

Can it get wet?

Splashes and rain, yes. Swimming, showering and deliberate immersion, no — Seiko's rating here is 5 bar, and that figure measures pressure rather than describing a depth you may take the watch to. The leather strap sets the practical limit before the case does, since soaking it repeatedly makes it stiff and discoloured. If it does get wet, dry it. Steam rooms and hot showers are worth avoiding altogether, as heat ages case seals faster than water pressure.

Why does the date need setting at a particular time?

Because the mechanism that turns the date over is already engaged for several hours either side of midnight. Seiko's instructions for the 4R35 say to avoid setting the date between 9:00 pm and 1:00 am; doing it inside that window can damage the mechanism or leave the date failing to change the following night. Move the hands outside those hours, set the date, then set the time. The date will also need adjusting by hand after 30-day months and after February.

How long will it run if I take it off?

Roughly 41 hours from fully wound. That covers a night and the following day comfortably, but not a long weekend — leave it longer and it will stop. Winding the crown or wearing it again builds the reserve back up, and it wants to be reasonably full before the watch will keep proper time. Mechanical watches also need servicing periodically to stay accurate and water resistant, which City Chain can arrange.

Can the strap be fitted to my wrist?

City Chain can adjust the strap for you in store — bring your warranty book along for the service. The fastening is a three-fold clasp with a push button release rather than a pin buckle, so it closes on itself and there is no strap hole to stretch over time. If your wrist falls between sizes, have it set in store rather than forcing the fit.

What can I see through the case back?

Calibre 4R35 itself. The back is see-through and screwed in at once, so the movement is on display behind a properly closed case. The rotor is the large part that sweeps round as your wrist moves and winds the mainspring; the balance wheel is the small one oscillating beside it, and it is what divides the time into regular beats.

Is 38.5mm a big watch?

No — it is the traditional middle of the range, and smaller than most modern men's watches. The 45.4mm lug-to-lug measurement is the figure that governs fit, because it is what spans the wrist. The 11.8mm depth comes from the automatic movement and the raised crystal together, and the leather strap keeps total weight to 63g. Any City Chain outlet can put it on your wrist before you decide.

How does the 3-year warranty work?

Buying the SRPE45J1 from City Chain Singapore, an authorised Seiko retailer, includes a 3-year warranty against manufacturing defects. It does not extend to accidental damage, ordinary wear or routine servicing, and the strap is regarded as a wearing part rather than a covered component. Hold on to your warranty card and proof of purchase — the watch cannot be submitted for warranty service without them.