Cigar smoking has never lost its charm as a delectable and indulgent hobby. During the 19th century, cigar smoking was actually more common than smoking a cigarette and, by the late 1800s, the manufacturing of the cigar had long since branched out to several Latin countries and North America.
Down the years to the modern day, there have been many influential public figures who have been known to enjoy a good cigar: controversial radio host, Rush Limbaugh, the late actor, Raul Julia – a man who often philosiphised about the vice – or even further back to the likes of Groucho Marx, Che Guevara author, Mark Twain and not to mention Winston Churchill, rarely seen without one throughout the war years.
But the link between cigars and sophisticated timepieces has been largely understated. The two share a close relationship with luxury and finery, expertise and craftsmanship honed from years of painstaking development.
Often luxury watches are provided in what look like neat wooden cigar boxes. Perhaps that’s why Hublot and Arturo Fuente Cigars teamed up last year to, once again, reinvigorate the appeal of cigar and watch co-branding.
We’ve set ourselves the task of presenting to you a collection of cigars and watches that complement each other; the watch can be admired while smoking a fine cigar, and the cigar can be enjoyed while contemplating a superior timepiece.
The cigar: Arturo Fuente Opus X
The story begins in the mid-80s. Carlos Fuente was exploring an area near Santiago in the Dominican Republic, which bore a strange resemblance to the “Pinard del rio” valley, from where the legend of Cuban cigars sprang. He had the idea of growing tobacco plants there: but not just any plants, wrapper tobacco. Yes, wrapper tobacco in Santo Domingo. The whole industry took him for a madman, because the cigar wrapper isn’t just one more component to a cigar — it carries the majority of the cigar’s flavour and nearly all of its aesthetic appeal. While the vast majority of cigars comprise 5 tobacco leaves (wrapper, binder and 3 more leaves for filler), the Opus X has 9! Why, you might ask? Carlito’s answer is simple: “So that in every puff, you will discover a surprise.”
The watch: Hublot King Power “Arturo Fuente”
The King Power “Arturo Fuente” limited series is delivered in a genuine cigar humidor. It’s a watch created by Hublot in partnership with the much respected cigar firm of Arturo Fuente in the Dominican Republic. The Hublot King Power Arturo Fuente is in tribute to the Fuente Opus X, the rarest cigar in the world, according to some connoisseurs. A cigar as unique as its history. The watch developed specially by Hublot, contains a blend of Macassar ebony and carbon. The top contains an exclusive OPUS X ring accompanied by the Hublot logo signature. To mark the presentation of this watch, Arturo Fuente created a special edition of OPUS X cigars for Hublot, with special rings.
The cigar: Romeo By Romeo Y Julieta
Considering the brand is named after Shakespeare’s literary masterpiece, the brand have gone one step further and named this particular design after the iconic male lead. Maybe they’re suggesting something in a not so subtle way? Nevertheless, the brand that is esteemed for its mildness have gone against type here, piecing together a bold and robust cigar full of colour and a rich, flavourful blend that crowns off the hard work that has gone into making it.
The watch: Bulgari Octo Pink Gold
Bulgari need no introduction; their 41mm Octo 18ct Pink Gold contemporary model does however. This is a watch of the highest calibre that brings together an embarrassment of exceptional materials and premium technical abilities to perfection. The casing is brushed in 18 ct pink gold all over, as are the hands, whilst the dial is finished in black lacquer and protected by scratch-resistant sapphire. The watch is powered by a Calibre BVL193 mechanical movement with automatic winding and a 50 hour power reserve.
The cigar: Macanudo Maduro Prince Philip
The lengthiest in the Macundo Maduro range for an abiding experience of pure decadence. This is the mild-to-medium-bodied selection that boasts the special Maduro wrapper made from Conneticut Broadleaf. It looks gorgeous and it tastes sublime. Perfect for relaxing with.
The watch: Patek Philippe White Gold Gondolo
Drawing much inspiration from memorable Art Deco designs, this Patek Philippe watch, with its elongated white-gold case, sapphire-crystal insert and navy blue, alligator skin strap, is stylish yet still very masculine. The unique rectangular dial, ‘Gondolo 8 Days’ Day & Date Indicator and seconds subdial are distinctive features that accentuate the intricacy on display here.
The cigar: Montecristo Epic
This cigar has an epic reputation to live up to and doesn’t disappoint. This contribution is fuller than the previous Prince Philip but not overpoweringly so. The finest vintage Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos have gone into the blend and the culmination of all that has been infused into it so as to incite aromatic flavours and smooth textures.
The watch: Panerai Luminor 1950 8 Days GMT Oro Rosa
There’s something about this watch’s partiality to heritage that goes hand-in-hand with the Montecristo Epic. Moreover, like the Epic’s infusion of influences, the 44mm Luminor 1950 attracts international inspiration. The watch is sturdily built, comfortable, easy on the eye and uncomplicated – the way all premium men’s jewellery should be. It’s powered by a 247 component Panerai P2002 in house movement wih an 8 days power reserve.
The cigar: Partagas Black Cigars
Partagas is a brand that demands that you take your time to savour the imagination that has gone into handcrafting their products. This explains why many of their Black Label brand come in small sizes yet still last a long time in the hands of a knowledgeable cigar smoker. The dark colour is because of the Cuban-seed Medio Tempo wrappers used that are left to age a while longer than the wrappers used by the competition.
The watch: Cuervo Y Sobrinos Robusto Tricalendografo
The 43mm Tricalendógrafo Luna model from the Robusto range of the respected Cuban brand pays homage to astronomy and precision engineering. The decorative display offers a triple calendar and lunar phase tracker atop the naked automatic mechanism. There’s a high level of detail involved here.
The cigar: H. Upmann Legacy
Yet another revered brand founded and refined in the beautiful city of Havana for over 150 years. The folks at H. Upmann would describe this cigar as contemporary, though the heirloom seeds used to grow the tobacco have been matured for generations. Pleasant and vivacious to experience, the Legacy is a great choice for somebody beginning their foray into the world of cigar appreciation.
The watch: Rolex Ref 4498 vintage 1950s
Like the Upmann Legacy, Rolex is a great brand for someone beginning their foray into the world of watches, and vintage Rolex watches can sometimes be had at bargain prices. Rolex made a series of beautifully elegant watches throughout the 50’s. It was a golden age for crisp, clean and uncluttered watch design. This vintage Rolex features a solid steel case (34mm) with lovely curved ‘sabre’ lugs, original winding crown, and a mint clean original dial. The watch is powered by a hand wound 15 jewel Rolex movement. Note the gorgeous tobacco coloured Hirsch leather strap.
