Cuervo y Sobrinos, formerly Cuba’s one and only luxury watch brand, has revived one of its most emblematic models from the past, the Historiador Cronógrafo.

True to the styling that made the brand such a success in the 1950’s, the case measures 40 mm. The classic lines are underscored by the long and graceful lugs, and the sapphire crystal is double-curved (the crystal was formerly made of acrylic hesalite). Its fiery Latin looks are matched with Swiss watchmaking precision, which adds to its unique personality.

Cuervo y Sobrinos are creators of beautifully crafted luxury watches with a strong flavour of vintage Latin style. Founded 125 years ago in the city of Havana, one of the world’s most life-affirming cities, Cuervo y Sobrinos watches were appreciated by American and European clients seeking timepieces expressive of the Cuban heritage and its philosophy of El Tiempo Liento (or time which passes slowly).

The Cuervo y Sobrinos watchmakers shop was located on the Avenida Quinta (Havana’s Fifth Avenue) in the heart of the city. The business was founded by Don Ramon Rio Cuervo and was later inherited by his nephew Don Armando Rio Cuervo and his brothers hence the name Cuervo y Sobrinos (Cuervo and nephews). At this time Havana was in its heyday, a city unlike any other in the world. A continuous stream of visitors flocked to soak up its indefinable atmosphere, many of whom also visited and became clients of the boutique of Cuervo y Sobrinos.

International demand for Cuervo y Sobrinos watches continued to grow and the business expanded opening stores in Germany, Paris and Switzerland.

Come the revolution and Cuba quickly became a country where the trappings of wealth such as a fine watchmaking business were at odds with the ideology of the new regimen. The Cuervo y Sobrinos brand ceased to be. Several decades passed until intervention came in the form of Italian businessman Luca Musumeci, who purchased the brand and any assets associated with it in 1997.

Incredibly, the original shop on the Avenida Quinta survived and on visiting it, Luca Musumeci made the discovery of old drawings of watch designs, watch movements and cases which had been stored in enormous trunks for four decades. Along with his partner Mario Villa, a successful distributor of luxury watches, Luca Musumeci resumed production of Cuervo y Sobrinos watches in Switzerland.

Today Cuervo y Sobrinos are once again producers of elegant luxury watches using traditional manufacturing methods in the spirit of the original brand philosophy.

These distinctive watches continue the heritage of the original birthplace – each range is named after famous cigar cuts, another export synonymous with Cuba and are presented in beautifully crafted tropical and Spanish cedar wood humidors which are manufactured without the use of glue or chemicals.

These boxes are the perfect place to conserve fine Cuban cigars or of course, a finely crafted Cuervo y Sobrinos watch.

Historiador Cronógrafo Specifications

Movement

Automatic, Dubois Dépraz 2099 calibre, 45 jewels, 37-hour power reserve, rotor personalized with CyS logo
Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph and tachometer

Case

Stainless steel, 40 mm
Anti-reflective double-curved sapphire crystal
Water-resistant to 30m / 3 ATM

Dial

Black or ivory
Applied CyS logo at 12 o’clock
30-minute and small seconds counters at 9 and 3 o’clock respectively
Strap
Louisiana alligator with stainless steel folding clasp

With thanks to Sylvia McElherron for background information on Cuervo y Sobrinos