The Cuervo y Sobrinos Robusto Sans Souci and Robusto 1935

Cuervo y Sobrinos is the only major watch brand with solid Cuban roots, celebrating specific time periods and locations in Cuban history. For example, the previous Robusto Churchill Limited Edition honoured Winston Churchill’s fondness for Havana tobacco. The new Robusto Sans Souci looks back at 1950s Cuba, specifically the Sans Souci night venue just outside of Havana. The Robusto 1935 leans into the Art Deco era of the 1930s and a particular Cuervo y Sobrinos model from 1935. It’s a contemporary take on an almost 90-year-old piece and both new models are versatile for most occasions.

Cuervo y sorbrinos Robusto Sans Souci

Back in the 1950s, Havana was a popular destination for celebrities, foreign leaders and the wealthy, including the Sans Souci night venue with lavish cabaret productions and often American dancers. The Robusto Sans Souci celebrates this period with a midcentury-inspired piece and three distinctive dials – sunray brushed black, vertical brushed champagne and sunray brushed blue. All have bold Arabic numerals with Super-LumiNova and lume inserts in the central hands, while a snailed small seconds sub-dial sits at 6 o’clock.

The stainless steel case is compact at 38.5mm in diameter and 11.1mm in height, and water resistance is rated at 50 metres. An AR box-shaped sapphire crystal protects the dial, while the solid case back is engraved with a depiction of the Sans Souci’s iconic entrance. The crown sits within a recess in the caseband, which is replicated on the left side for symmetry. Strap options include a stainless steel 3-row bracelet or colour-coordinated, tone-on-tone stitched leather straps.

Powering the Sans Souci is the CYS 5159, based on the Sellita SW261 automatic. It has 31 jewels, beats at 28,800vph (4Hz) and comes with a 38-hour power reserve. Functions are central hours, minutes and small seconds at 6 o’clock. It also has a date complication, which isn’t utilized here. The retail price is EUR 2,400.

Quick Facts – 38.5mm diameter x 11.1mm height – stainless steel case – AR box-shaped sapphire crystal – solid caseback – 50m water-resistance – three dial colours (sunray brushed black, vertical brushed champagne and sunray brushed blue) – hours, minutes and small seconds – CYS 5159 calibre (based on Sellita SW261) – automatic – 31 jewels – 28,800vph (4Hz) – 38-hour power reserve – steel 3-row bracelet or colour-coordinated, tone-on-tone stitched leather straps – EUR 2,400 (not limited, available now)

Cuervo y sobrinos Robusto 1935

The 1930s was a time of Art Deco aesthetics in architecture, theatres and watches (of course) in Cuba, first led by President Gerardo Machado in the 1920s to modernize Havana. A particular Art Deco piece from 1935 inspired the new Robusto 1935, which is a modern interpretation. There are four dial colours this time – Habana, Ceniza, Azul Marino and Verde Manzana (sunburst brown, silver, blue and green). Applied faceted indices and the hour and minute hands have Super-LumiNova inserts, while a date window sits at 6 o’clock.

The stainless steel case is a bit larger than the Robusto Sans Souci at 40mm in diameter and 11.85mm in height. A double-domed AR sapphire crystal protects the dial, while an exhibition case back displays the nice Soprod-based automatic. A screw-down crown ensures 100 metres of water resistance and there’s a 3-row steel bracelet (no leather straps this time). The CYS 8130 powers the watch, based on the Soprod Newton 11.5”. It has 23 jewels, a beat rate of 28,800vph (4Hz) and a power reserve of 44 hours. Functions are central hours, minutes, hacking seconds and date. The retail price is EUR 2,900.

Quick Facts – 40mm diameter x 11.85mm height – stainless steel case – double-domed AR sapphire crystal – exhibition caseback – 100m water-resistance – four dial colours (Habana, Ceniza, Azul Marino and Verde Manzana – sunburst brown, silver, blue and green) – hours, minutes, hacking seconds and date – CYS 8130 calibre (based on Soprod Newton 11.5”) – automatic – 23 jewels – 28,800vph (4Hz) – 44-hour power reserve – steel 3-row bracelet – EUR 2,900 (not limited, available now)

For more information on both models, please visit the Cuervo y Sobrinos website.