Cuervo y Sobrinos Robusto Churchill ‘Sir Winston’
The Cuervo y Sobrinos Robusto Churchill ‘Sir Winston’ is the latest timepiece from the Cuban-Swiss brand that celebrates the remarkable life of the elder statesman. Once again, this fascinating firm demonstrates its capacity to create original watches, rich in Latin character.
Cuervo y Sobrinos was established in 1882 in Havana, Cuba’s exotic and vibrant capital. The company, founded by Don Ramón and his nephews, soon became known as the most esteemed Jeweller on the island. Indeed, its reputation grew far and wide, attracting the great and the good. Such was its standing that prestigious watch marques, including Longines, Patek Philippe and Rolex supplied the retailer with dual-branded watches. As the Cuban firm prospered it also opened offices in Paris, Pforzheim and La Chaux-de-Fonds.
Prior to the advent of communism, Cuba was synonymous with decadence and known for its liberal drinking and gambling laws. The island’s geographic proximity to Florida meant many Americans chose to visit Cuba.
Over the years, Cuervo y Sobrinos attracted Caruso, Einstein, Gable and Hemingway. In 1946, Winston Churchill, exhausted after his role as the wartime prime minister, visited the Island and, more specifically, the aforementioned jeweller.
The Cuban-Swiss brand has repeatedly celebrated its historical ties with the British statesman, releasing a number of limited edition Churchill-themed models. In 2017, the firm unveiled the Robusto Day-Date Churchill Limited Edition featuring a white lacquer dial enriched with a ‘craquelé’ pattern. Last year, Cuervo y Sobrinos released the Robusto Churchill ‘Yalta Edition’ that sported a sumptuous silver-toned guilloché dial.
Now, the luxury watch firm has just launched the Cuervo y Sobrinos Robusto Churchill ‘Sir Winston’. It shares much in common with the ‘Yalta Edition‘, save for its blue-toned dial. Although on paper this new watch sounds very similar to its older sibling, in reality, it looks remarkably different. Indeed, the blue dial appears more contemporary and sporty. The watch is available on a steel and titanium bracelet, underscoring its youthful persona.
One of the endearing traits of Cuervo y Sobrinos is that the brand doesn’t subscribe to regular shapes. For example, the company’s Prominente model may, at first glance, appear rectangular, however, its shape is far more complex than this. The central body of the case does have straight sides, however, the outer edges are positioned on a lower level and feature gently arcing flanks as they approach the lugs.
Likewise, the Cuervo y Sobrinos Robusto Churchill ‘Sir Winston’ is not merely round. Its outer edges are formed of titanium and sit adjacent to the stainless steel inner case. The titanium sides follow a different trajectory to the inner case, augmenting visual interest. The Cuba-Swiss firm has rejected a conventional crown in favour of a hinged lever that delivers the same functionality but sits neatly within the caseband. This latter detail endows the timepiece with a near symmetrical appearance.
Once again, this longstanding firm has created a watch that stands out from the crowd. The blend of titanium and steel heighten the overall appeal of the watch, while the choice of a blue alligator strap or bi-metallic bracelet helps sate the desires of most prospective purchasers.
The brand’s press release
Following the resounding success of its Robusto Churchill ‘Yalta Edition’ timepiece, Cuervo y Sobrinos is pleased to unveil the Robusto Churchill ‘Sir Winston’, a limited-edition model endowed with an eye-catching petrol blue guilloché dial. The watch is delivered with a dark blue high-gloss Louisiana alligator strap and a stainless steel and titanium bracelet. Other specification highlights include an innovative crown design, 3-part modular case construction and a Swiss automatic movement. Limited to just 100 pieces in each variant, scarcity is assured.
Churchill first visited Cuba in 1895 aged just 21. As young officer in the 4th Hussars, based in London, he was keen to take part in military action. He decided to join the Spanish Army and fight against Cuban forces in what became known as the ‘Cuban War of Independence’ (1895 – 1898). Having trekked to Arroyo Blanco, some 400km east of Havana, he faced enemy fire. His first taste of Cuba lasted only a few weeks, but it would not be the last time that he would visit the sun-kissed Caribbean island.
In the early part of 1946, clearly exhausted after undertaking his onerous role in the Second World War, Churchill travelled across the Atlantic Ocean at the invitation of President Truman. He lobbied America for a reconstruction loan for his home nation and made a series of speeches, but he also spent time seeing old friends, painting and swimming. Most notably, he took the opportunity to visit Cuba for a second time, albeit on this occasion as an elder statesman.
President Truman offered Churchill the use of a US plane, something he accepted. He travelled with his wife, Clementine, from Florida to Havana and stayed at the prestigious Hotel Nacional. While on the island, he visited the Cuervo y Sobrinos boutique.
It is obvious that many Cubans were delighted to see Churchill during his time on the island. Likewise, Churchill seemed to enjoy his time in Cuba, especially when smoking his favourite Havana cigars. Indeed, when the former Prime Minister received a gift of 500 Romeo y Julieta cigars, his favourite brand of cigars, he was reportedly delighted. The name Robusto is used to describe a short and ‘robust’ cigar, making it an apt moniker for this new Churchill-inspired, limited-edition model.
Silver-toned, facetted hour and minute hands collaborate with prominent hour markers, conveying the prevailing time in a highly legible form. The hour markers comprise of faceted, triangular indexes for even values and elaborately-shaped Arabic numerals for odd-numbered values. A slither of Super-LumiNova adorns the hands, aiding legibility in restricted light.
The guilloché dial, presented in petrol blue, features a Clous de Paris motif, resembling a series of woven arc-shaped lines. Located above 6 o’clock, two apertures, positioned one above the other, display the day and date succinctly. A central sweep seconds hand integrates with a neat track that frames the dial, augmenting readability.
The Robusto Churchill ‘Sir Winston’ is housed in a 43mm stainless steel and titanium case. It employs a 3-part modular construction technique and comprises of a central body, lateral sides and case back. This allows highly polished and satin finished surfaces to sit in close proximity, bestowing the case with an abundance of eye-appeal.
A hinged lever, positioned at 3 o’clock, serves as a crown. Its unusual design imbues the watch with a near-symmetrical profile while preventing any impingement on the wearer’s wrist. The Robusto Churchill ‘Sir Winston’ is endowed with a see-through case back, featuring a quote from the great man, ‘Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference’.
At the heart of this elegant watch is a Swiss automatic movement, the CYS 5105 calibre. The watch is delivered with a dark blue high-gloss Louisiana alligator strap and a stainless steel and titanium bracelet.
The Robusto Churchill ‘Sir Winston’ is limited to just 100 pieces.
This stylish model pays tribute to Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, a remarkable man who appreciated the finer things in life and who fell in love with Cuba and its friendly citizens.
Further reading