The Seiko SSA343 'Cocktail Time Power Reserve' Wristwatch: The Full Nick Shabazz Review

Today, we'll take a look at a nerdy upgrade to the classical Seiko 'Cocktail Time' line, the SSA343 with Power Reserve and date dial. Thanks to Lewis Jewelers of Ann Arbor, Michigan (lewisjewelers.com) for sending this guy along.

[@thehermanli]

the recessed inner dial for the date function is a nice touch.

[@anotherknafguy3679]

I love that watch. It’s absolutely gorgeous.

[@jmartin2778]

I'm with you on the needless display back for an undecorated movement. On the upside, the crown is centered on the case. Sometimes, when a complication is added, the manufacturer simply bolts on the module. When that happens, the crown is then higher or lower on the case which can lead to comfort issues or snagging or is simply a symmetric and that bothers us watch nerds. Thanks for the vid Nick

[@glitchedoom]

Always love a Nick Shabazz watch review.

[@Raul22940]

Great review Nick! These can be found on sale at Macy’s for around 350 FYI

[@TheChadWork2001]

The movement is excellent and the rotor works very well, and I can tell by how fast it charges up the power reserve indicator. A power reserve indicator is just like an empty full indicator on a car. Would you drive a car without one? No watch should be without one either. I got this at Macy's for under $400.00 before the COVID madness was pushed upon society and it's the best value quality watch I have. The gold-looking rotor is a nice touch. The thread in the black leather strap is dark blue and emphasizes the blue of the dial and the blued hands. One of my favorite watches. Now the bar has been raised for standard features, so a silicon hair spring and 80 hour power reserve from the Tissot line has raised the standard, but this watch came out before that. The only negative, I'd say is that if you are over 45 you will need glasses to read the date indicator. The movement is rock solid.

[@dude28405]

Seiko does a good job with dressy casual watches in this price range. Great review love the watch

[@martintanz9098]

One of the things you didn't mention about this lineup of watches is a really robust number of aftermarket bracelets for these watches. Last year, I bought an SRPB41 Cocktail time, then bought a Strapcode Angus Jubilee bracelet for it, which is an upgrade over the stock bracelet. In that regard, it is a huge plus over some watches that are actually spec'd better, like some of my Tissots, that do not have bracelet upgrades available.

[@pitiedvod]

That in my contest for birthday watch. I wear a lot of business dress, go out for dinner, etc (at least until the state shut down anyway) and would do nicely. It is rather nice. I would probably put a different strap that is a little less shiny on there.

[@ElijsDima]

That power reserve also acts like a very basic activity meter. If you're wearing the watch but move very little in your day to day, then the PR runs down and signals that you really,

[@G_Rizzly]

Nice dress watch, but I'm struggling to see who is the target group for this.

[@Starstreak170]

Very thick for a dress watch, might be difficult to fit it under a shirt cuff. The standard Cocktail Time models are only 11.8mm thick.

[@Nkdc333]

I own the older cocktail time and love the look, especially when you replace the band with a gray or grayish blue leather band, since it lets the face shine. I agree that the hardlex glass that bulges is a drawback. It scuffs easily and is difficult if not impossible to repair v sapphire. The movement in the new version isn’t as good as the older Japanese market version which is a shame.

[@marcoferay5751]

This watch it’s so beautiful! I am going to get it in a couple of weeks! I love the bigger crown and I personally like the fact that it hasn’t lume By the way great review I very much enjoyed it

[@pendulousphallus]

The date complication looks out of place in what would otherwise be a very clean dress watch. The power reserve, however, is a nice inclusion that isn't overly noisy. Nobody needs to see all the days of the month that it currently isn't. Seiko has done much better.

[@michaelcampbell9541]

When do we get to see the disassembly video?

[@BadBeaver2006]

Finally, a new watch review! Thank you, Nick!

[@TheSC20k]

Domed sapphire is very expensive, which is probably why they haven't used it here. I don't know of any watches in this price range that have domed sapphire.

[@TheChadWork2001]

If this exact watch came out with a power reserve over 70 hours, a sapphire crystal, and 100m water resistance and the 6L35 movement, I'd buy it.

[@BarnOwl61]

I absolutely love this design. Although the negatives are all true, and a big deal for the money. If Chinese brands can give me a Seiko NH36A movement and a sapphire crystal, is Seiko just a little greedy?