In the summer of 2003, the first film in the Pirates of the Caribbean series was released, and our cultural field underwent a small but irreversible transformation. This is not to say that stories about pirates did not interest us at all before. “Treasure Island” or, for example, “Captain Blood’s Odyssey” were on our shelves before. But the Disney film took this topic to a completely different level. Now pleasure boats in the most remote reservoirs were called the “Black Pearl”, and the eccentric Jack Sparrow with an unexpected dancing gait and a strange manner of speaking became the main character of the children's animator at parties.
A lot of time has passed since then, several sequels to the pirate film franchise have been made, and in our artistic consciousness the area where the sun always shines through the carved palm leaves and the smell of the sea mixes with the smell of gunpowder and rum is firmly established.
In addition to keeping time, the clock transmits to others important images that are in tune with our inner world. A sophisticated purist, a risky racer, a charismatic loner, a successful macho, a shocking intellectual - everyone is looking for something different. Today I would like to talk about another, somewhat unusual stylistic direction in watch aesthetics. Yes, islands, pirates, palm trees, the sun - this is the first thing that comes to my mind when looking at the Cuervo y Sobrinos watch. Asturias Pequenos Segundos 3102.1ASV - such a tricky name (as if the family name of a noble hidalgo) for the model of today's review.
Usually, next to their name, watch brands place geographical names from maps of Switzerland or Germany. This is what prestige dictates. But next to the name Cuervo y Sobrinos is the name of the capital...the island of Cuba! The Cuervo family started their business in the center of old Havana almost 150 years ago. And he doesn’t hide it. Their Fifth Avenue boutique was visited by Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill and Ernest Hemingway. Later, when the fame and stores of the Cuban brand reached Europe, and production moved to the Swiss Chaux-de-Fonds, the memory of the Caribbean past was not forgotten, but, on the contrary, received new life in the design and aesthetics of their amazing watches.
The first thing that strikes you is the huge wooden box. Just some kind of pirate chest. But in fact, all Cuervo y Sobrinos watches are placed in a humidor - a traditional Cuban cigar case made of expensive wood. Inside (in addition to everything related to the watch) there is a hygrometer to maintain the optimal humidity for storing tobacco leaves. It's serious! The watch itself is placed in a case made of embossed leather. I was almost tired, trying to get the pearl I was looking for from all this heap of pretentious packaging. But it was not in vain.
The watch turned out to be very unusual. And shape, and color, and functionality. The shape of the case is round with a lot of polishing. The main emphasis here is the shape of the ears. They protrude angularly from the body and slightly resemble the crossbones of the Jolly Roger. The crown is without protective beads, but has a beautiful CyS monogram. The smooth, polished contours of the bezel, case back and domed sapphire crystal add a vintage touch to the look.
Under the glass is a dial in the now fashionable green color with Sunray treatment. The arrows and marks are quite laconic. They are made of silver metal and do not have a phosphor coating. At the 6 o'clock position there is a seconds dial, and at 12 o'clock there is an applied coat of arms.
The screw-on back cover, in addition to information about the manufacturer and water resistance of 50 meters, reveals a view of the automatic movement with 31 jewels and a frequency of 28800 vibrations per hour. The official specification calls it CYS5159, but in fact it is a decorated SW261 from Sellita with a power reserve of 38 hours. The watch is equipped with a black leather strap. It seemed to me a little boring and harsh, but with undoubted advantages in the form of a system of quick-release fasteners and an absolutely luxurious butterfly clasp with the coat of arms already familiar to us.
The watch has a small diameter (something about 40 mm), but the lugs are long. The saving grace is that they are ergonomically curved and hug the owner’s hand. If it were not so, then filibusters with small wrists would clearly experience discomfort.
The watch left an unusual impression. It's not that they didn't suit me. It's more likely that I'm not suitable for them. Cuervo y Sobrinos products undoubtedly have a face, charisma and a niche in the watch industry. This is a watch for romantics who, like me, will not regret the absence of luminescent material and a date function in the watch, and in their wardrobe - clothes that match the defiantly emerald dial.
Not everyone fits the image of a gentleman of fortune and adventurer, but if you are one of them, then take a closer look at the legacy of the Cuervo family. This might be just what you need for your tanned hands. By the way, now is the peak tourist season in Cuba. You can still make it in time. It will be ideal for walking around Havana!
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