Cuervo y Sobrinos Buceador Caribe

The Cuervo y Sobrinos Buceador Caribe is the latest creation from the Swiss brand known for its charming Cuban past. Water-resistant to 200 metres, this new model is intended for subaquatic use and is available in a choice of eye-catching hues. Like all Cuervo y Sobrinos models, it looks splendidly stylish and equally at home on terra firma.

Unlike most European countries, Switzerland has four official languages: French, German, Italian and Romansh. As anyone who has visited Switzerland will attest, many citizens of this landlocked nation have a knack of speaking several languages, easily slipping from one tongue into another.

However, in Capolago, in the Swiss canton of Ticino, there is a villa called ‘La Casa’ where Spanish words are frequently employed. This is the home of Cuervo y Sobrinos, a Swiss watch brand that originates from Cuba. The company was founded by Ramon Fernandos Cuervo, together with his nephews (Sobrinos) in 1882. The firm was always synonymous with luxury, retailing some of the finest expressions of jewellery and watchmaking,

In 1928, Cuervo y Sobrinos established its inaugural watch factory in La Chaux de Fonds. The Maison has a track record of uniting Cuban flair with Swiss watchmaking expertise, only the political events in Cuba between 1965 – 1996 interrupted service. This fusion of cultures has led to the creation of some mouthwatering horological delights. Indeed, rich tones such as Havana-cigar brown, ivory shades and decadent hints of blue have all enriched the dials of the marque’s models. Quite simply, while the watch market appears somewhat congested, Cuervo y Sobrinos has always had the ability to stand out from the crowd.

Now, the Swiss brand of Latin origin has unveiled a new model, the Cuervo y Sobrinos Buceador Caribe. The word ‘Buceador’ is the Spanish word for ‘diver’, perfectly conveying the model’s intended purpose.

Cuervo y Sobrinos offers the Buceador Caribe in three variants, each referencing the Caribbean seas that encircle the island of Cuba. The surrounding seas, sand as well as the corals indigenous to the region have proved a useful source of inspiration, influencing the colour scheme of each aquatic-themed timepiece.

Each version of the Buceador Caribe is housed in a 43mm stainless steel case with one version dressed in black DLC. A push system, intended to look like a section of snorkel, is located at 4 ‘clock and unlocks the crown positioned above, at 2 o’clock. This crown operates the internal rotating bezel, while an additional crown at 9 o’clock adjusts the indications and energises the mainspring. The watch has a maximum water resistance of 200m.

The dial is eminently legible courtesy of its plump hour and minute hands, bold hour markers and the liberal application of Super-LumiNova. The CYS 5104 automatic movement, based on the Peseaux 224, sits at the heart of the Cuervo y Sobrinos Buceador Caribe. Each watch is supplied with two straps and comes presented in a humidor, suitable for storing cigars in ideal conditions.

The brand’s press release

Cuervo y Sobrinos can trace its origins to 1882 when Don Ramón and his nephews, sobrinos in Spanish, founded the Cuban firm. Today, the company is based in Switzerland, making luxury watches inspired by the brand’s spiritual home of Havana. Many of the modern-day Cuervo y Sobrinos models are endowed with retro styling and encompass the vibrant hues widely seen in Cuba’s capital city.

Now, the historic brand is pleased to unveil the Buceador Caribe, a contemporary watch encompassing the numerous shades of the clear waters surrounding Cuba’s coastline. Indeed, the cyan coloured seas of Varadero, the pastel sands of Cayo Coco and the black corals, indigenous to the region, have provided a rich source of inspiration for the Cuervo y Sobrinos design team.

In 2004, the firm unveiled the Robusto Buceador, a precursor of today’s model. The original watch was bold and ideally suited to life, both on land and sea and proved an incredibly popular model.

Now the Buceador is back. Named after the Spanish word for ‘diver’ and inspired by the Caribbean environment, this latest creation looks fresh and modern. Measuring 43mm in diameter, the highly complex case, with its container-type construction, contributes to the model’s impressive water resistance of 200m

An ingenious pusher system, positioned at 4 o’clock, unlocks the crown at 2 o’clock. The crown is used to adjust the internal rotating bezel, allowing the wearer to monitor their dive time. A further crown, located at 9 o’clock, is used to adjust the indications, as well as wind the mainspring.

The Buceador Caribe features bold hour and minute hands which engage with highly legible indices. Both the hands and indices are treated with Super-LumiNova, enhancing readability in dim light. A central sweep seconds hand and date display complete the inventory of functions.

The shape of the case encompasses both straight and curving lines, while diving tanks and snorkels have provided inspiration for the design of the crowns and the aforementioned pusher. Upholding divers’ watch convention, the Buceador Caribe is fitted with a solid case back engraved with a depiction of a diver swimming underwater, surrounded by a shoal of tropical fish.

Prospective purchasers can choose from three versions, two in stainless steel and a further model featuring black DLC treatment. Each example of the Buceador Caribe evokes thoughts of Cuba’s sandy shores, crystal-clear waters and its many corals. All watches are supplied with two straps, one in calf leather and a second executed in rubber. Moreover, the watch is presented in a new, special edition humidor with sections to accommodate the watch and up to two additional straps.

Beyond its functional attributes, the Buceador Caribe delivers distinctive styling and brims with Caribbean charm.