Cuervo y Sobrinos Esplendidos Misterio
Angus Davies discusses the Cuervo y Sobrinos Esplendidos Misterio, a watch with an unusual hour and minutes indication, embracing both Swiss watchmaking know-how and latin inspired design language.
This detailed review of the Cuervo y Sobrinos Esplendidos Misterio includes numerous images and specification details.
The new latin beauty, the Esplendidos Misterio, from Cuervo y Sobrino is an unusual watch that captivates curious eyes with its spellbinding hour and minutes indication.
The new model represents an interesting chapter for this historical brand, at a time when Cuervo y Sobrinos continues to expand. Indeed, the Swiss company has reported sales growth in all markets, especially Asia and the Middle East and its latest model builds upon that success.
A latin spirit
Cuervo y Sobrinos can trace its origins to 1882, when Cuervo and his “Sobrinos” (the Spanish word for “nephews”) first opened the doors of its Boutique. Named “La Casa” and located on Havanna’s prestigious Fifth Avenue, it has always been a source of inspiration for the styling of the company’s models.
Subsequently, the company expanded and moved to bigger and even more impressive premises in Havana, attracting the likes of Churchill, Einstein, Gable and Hemingway. The company continues to have a retail presence on the island of Cuba to this day.
Now, the company’s head office is located at Capolago in a 19th century villa overlooking Lake Lugano. Whilst the timepieces are now designed and assembled in Switzerland, harnessing the legendary watchmaking know-how of this land-locked nation, the latin spirit remains.
The Misterio is an exciting new timepiece, joining the brand’s Esplendidos family of models. It imparts time with innovation, creativity and a little bit of mystery.
The dial
Misterio, like a latin beauty with sultry brown eyes, only reveals its secrets with increased familiarity.
The rectangular shaped dial, presented in a choice of cream or black, resembles no other timepiece before. An open-worked disc, comprised of concentric circles, bestows intrigue, coquettishly enticing eyes to look closely. Three apertures, punctuating the disc, reveal the prevailing hour on the dial surface beneath.
Spanning the open-worked disc are three bright red hands which collaborate together to communicate the minutes. A central seconds hand is located centre stage of the dial and a date display features at 6 o’clock.
The case
The stainless steel case looks resplendent, engaging with light, courtesy of its gracefully curving lines. Measuring 35 x 46 mm, the caseband extends outwards as it approaches the lugs. The luxurious Louisiana alligator strap is drawn close to the case, according a tidy appearance to the watch.
A sapphire crystal with antireflective treatment, reduces glare and ensures the wearer can enjoy the full majesty of the dial.
The crown, with its knurled detail, nuzzles the caseband neatly. No undue protrusion disrupts the pure lines of the Misterio. However, despite its truncated profile, the crown remains easy to operate.
Whilst Cuervo y Sobrinos looks forward to a bright future, it does not forget its past. The case back is engraved with a depiction of a safe door, located in the previously mentioned boutique, “La Casa” on Havanna’s Fifth Avenue. Moreover, this very safe can now be admired at the company’s Shop-Museum in Calle Muralla, Havana.
The movement
While the exterior of the Misterio is elegant and stylish, behind its captivating dial resides much beauty and virtue.
Powered by the CYS 5102 (base ETA 2892-A2) self-winding movement, the Misterio employs a Swiss movement imbued with the stereotypical precision and reliability familiar to watch fans around the globe.
The movement has a frequency of 28,800 vph (4 Hz), contains 21 jewels and power reserve of 42 hours.
The oscillating mass features a fan decoration to its form and the CyS logo.
A very special mystery
Diamonds represent the ultimate expression of luxury and glamour. Cuervo y Sobrinos has produced a very special Misterio model. The haute joaillerie creation dazzles and seduces with 539 pavé diamonds adorning its case, totalling 3.138 carats.
Optimally sized and resplendently presented, the diamond set case stands testament to the adroit skill of the gem-setter’s time-served hands with incredible craftsmanship ubiquitously presented.
Closing remarks
With a successful blend of latin spirit and Swiss craftsmanship, Cuervo y Sobrinos has produced an intoxicating cocktail that is difficult to resist.
As your eyes are drawn into the mesmerising spectacle of the dial display, it proves difficult not to succumb to the bewitching spell of the Cuervo y Sobrinos Esplendidos Misterio .
Technical Specification
- Model: Cuervo y Sobrinos Esplendidos Misterio
- Reference: 2414.1C2 -2414.1B2
- Case: Stainless steel; dimensions 35 mm x 46 mm; water resistant to 3 bar (30 metres); sapphire crystal to front and solid engraved caseback depicting CyS safe door.
- Functions: Hours; minutes; central seconds; date.
- Movement: CYS 5102 (base ETA 2892-A2), self-winding movement; frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz); 21 jewels; power reserve 42 hours.
- Strap: Louisiana alligator strap with stainless steel folding buckle engraved with CyS emblem.
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