Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Cuervo y Sobrinos Prominente Doble Tiempo
A collection of four GMT models with two independent movements and a dash of Cuban charisma.
Cuervo y Sobrinos, the Swiss brand with Cuban roots, has several collections named after famous Cuban cigars. The Prominente, which gets its name from one of the largest Cuban cigars, is a collection of large rectangular watches with a decidedly Art Deco flair. Four new Doble Tiempo (dual time/GMT) models join the collection fitted with two independent movements. Available in four different dial colours, the advantage of having two separate movements means that the time can be displayed correctly in two different locations irrespective of their UTC offset.
Havana Mood
Like all Cuervo y Sobrinos designs, the mood is markedly retro. Established in Havana in 1882, the brand was revived in the late 1990s and then acquired by a team of investors in 2018 with Massimo Rossi as CEO and headquarters in Capolago, in the Swiss canton of Ticino. Cuervo y Sobrinos has carved a niche for itself with models that lean heavily on vintage design cues and extravagant personalities. The cases are larger than the original vintage pieces that inspired the collections in line with more contemporary tastes. Cuervos y Sobrinos is all about recreating the Golden Days of La Habana in the 1950s when socialites and celebrities flocked to this exotic island playground (you can read about the company’s colourful history in this article).
Prominent case size
The stainless steel case of the Prominente Doble Tiempo is, like the cigars they are named after, prominent and has a length of 52mm, a width of 30.5mm and a height of 9.5mm. With its cambered case flanks, the elegant stepped case sits comfortably on the wrist and is entirely polished to underscore its luxurious appeal. Two crowns, set on the right side of the case, are used to set the independent movements.
Two-Timer
Although GMT watches are undoubtedly the most practical complication for travellers, a GMT watch with two independent movements and two independent displays is even more practical. Two separate movements means that 30 and 45-minute UTC (Universal Coordinated Time) offsets adopted by countries like India, Iran and Afghanistan can be set independently.
flamboyant dial
While the case follows the sleek, aerodynamic lines we associate with Art Deco styling, the dial is true to Cuervo y Sobrinos’ flamboyant, larger-than-life spirit. Four dial colours – silver, blue, black and brown – display a dynamic guilloché-style background emanating in wave-like patterns from beneath the upper handset. The inscriptions ‘Cuervo y Sobrinos’ and ‘Habana’ appear in the top dial, although I’m sure a Cuban would prefer to see the capital spelt out as ‘La Habana’.
The top dial, representing local time, is oval-shaped and aligned vertically with markings on the minute track that grow in size to reflect the changing dimensions of the guilloché pattern. The stamped Arabic numerals are also of different sizes corresponding to the space provided and contribute to the dynamic appeal of the dial. The 12 o’clock marker is replaced with the Cuervo y Sobrinos shield, and the large 6 o’clock numeral spills over into the smaller dial for home time. Also oval-shaped, the 24-hour smaller dial is aligned horizontally and features printed white Arabic numerals to distinguish it from the larger dial. Both dials rely on Breguet-style hour and minute hands with a touch of luminescence at their tips.
Two movements
Turning the Prominente Doble Tiempo over, you can appreciate the cambered case construction and the two crescent-shaped sapphire crystal windows revealing parts of the top and bottom movements. The upper movement – calibre CYS 5024 – is a base ETA 2671 automatic (suppressed seconds) with a 44h power reserve and a personalised rotor with fan decoration and CyS engraving. The lower movement – CYS 5025 – is also a base ETA 2671 modified to display 24 hours.
All four Prominente Doble Tiempo models are accompanied by elegant Louisiana alligator leather straps to complement the dial colour with stainless steel folding buckles engraved with the CyS coat of arms.
Price
The Cuervo y Sobrinos Prominente Doble Tiempo models retail for EUR 4,000 or CHF 4,000. It is now available from the brand’s website. For more information, please visit CuervoySobrinos.com.
