Seiko Presage Cocktail Time Australasian Limited Edition 'The Conte' | Image: Seiko Australia

Seiko’s Sub-$1,000 ‘Conte’ Presage is a Negroni For Your Wrist

By Jacob Osborn - News

Published: 15 Sep 2025

Readtime: 4 min

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Seiko has announced a limited-edition Australasian-exclusive Presage Cocktail Time, ‘The Conte’.
Limited to 1,000 pieces, the timepiece is inspired by the Negroni cocktail.
Powered by the calibre 4R35 movement, the timepiece is complemented by a refined brown leather strap and a rose-gold-coloured case and folding clasp.
Priced at AUD$950, ‘The Conte’ is available for preorder at Seiko Boutiques and Seiko Online.

Australia loves itself a delicious Negroni, so much so that Sydney has a bar (two, actually) dedicated to the classic cocktail. The beverage is uniquely tasty but also synonymous with a lush and striking colour, the kind that duly captures the spirit of nightlife. With this in mind, Japanese watchmaker Seiko has introduced ‘The Conte’ limited edition to its celebrated Presage Cocktail Time series. It takes inspiration from the Negroni and is limited to just 1000 pieces, with exclusive availability to the Australasian market. Cheers to that!

One thing about Seiko’s Presage Cocktail Time line is that you don’t need to love alcohol to relish these watches. Each model uses a specific cocktail as the thematic foundation for an otherwise elegant design framework, meaning you won’t find a martini glass on the dial face or some other gimmicky overtone. ‘The Conte’, much like Seiko’s other Australasian exclusives, is no exception, channelling the stylish qualities of a classic Negroni to inform its similarly striking aesthetic.

What’s a Negroni again? Some folks might be asking. Hailing from Italy, the cocktail typically mixes gin, Campari (an Italian liqueur), and sweet vermouth in equal parts. Serve over ice and garnish with an orange slice for a tasty apertif that’s a little bitter, a little sweet, and pretty darn strong. It’s also quite easy on the eyes, exuding a rich ruby colour that looks even better under the dim lights of a trendy bar or restaurant. For the visuals alone, it makes for a natural fit to Seiko’s iconic Presage Cocktail Time series.

In turn, we get a downright stunning timepiece, with a deep red dial face that conjures the stylish essence of the Negroni. Peer beyond the elegant markers to notice a distinctive patterning on the display, inspired by the refined texture of Negroni glassware. A rose-gold case and brown leather strap drive home the sophisticated allure, while an exhibition caseback reveals a Calibre 4R35 in all its mechanical glory. As mentioned previously, you don’t have to love alcohol to appreciate the transfixing qualities of this model.

What better place to launch Seiko’s limited edition watch than the bar from which it takes its name? With two respective locations, Bar Conte describes itself as the “world’s first dedicated Negroni Bar and Italian Restaurant.” The bar even crafted a bespoke Seiko Negroni for the event, using cherry blossom-infused Vermouth to give the cocktail a floral character and even richer red colour. Guests were indulged on every front as they sipped in style and beheld the exclusive watch release.

As with all Cocktail Time models, ‘The Conte’ Limited Edition is part of Seiko’s Presage family, where Japanese artistry collides with traditional craftsmanship. A standard version is available worldwide, but the exclusive one features rose gold construction and unique engravings on the caseback. It’s being offered to the Australasian market for a suggested price of $950. Preorder now at Seiko Boutiques and Seiko Online, with deliveries starting in early October.

View ‘The Conte’ at Seiko Australia