The Cuervo y Sobrinos Historiador Pequeños Segundos 130° Aniversario - The Heritage Continues
New for 2012 is the Cuervo y Sobrinos Historiador Pequeños Segundos 130° Aniversario.
The piece celebrates the 130th Anniversary of the brand, yet for four decades in its history no watches were designed, manufactured or sold by the Cuervo family - as with many of the watch brands that we know and appreciate today, Cuervo y Sobrinos were a victim of world events - events which would see a family business abandoned as the Cuban Revolution unfolded.
When he founded his watchmaking business on the Avenida Quinta in downtown Havana, Don Ramon Rio Cuervo had the vision to realise that in that golden age of travel, the many affluent visitors who would pass through that vibrant city would be compelled to purchase one of his distinctly Latin-styled timepieces. The business was a successful one, so successful that he was able to enlist the assistance of his nephews, hence the name over his door became Cuervo y Sobrinos. The watches produced were no token souvenirs, watch movements were sourced and produced in La Chaux-de-Fonds and the cases and dials were designed and produced in Havana using traditional methods and were of the highest standards.
Cuervo y Sobrinos remained in the hands of its founding family for three generations until the revolution in 1959 when the watchmaking trade, like many other luxury businesses in Cuba ceased production. The company lay dormant for four decades until Luca Musumeci purchased the marque and its assets, and in partnership with Mario Villa recommenced production in 2001.
That's a bit of an introduction - if you think that maybe we like this brand, you'd be right - our feeling is that with the respective attitude given to the "new" portfolio, together with the re-discovered and preserved blueprints and components which continue to be used as references, that Cuervo y Sobrinos are one of the most authentic re-birthed brands in existence. And the Historiador Pequeños Segundos 130° Aniversario? - An understated mix of Swiss precision/Latin presence, and a worthy addition to the historical collection.
Mmmm ... is it the generous tucked back lugs, or the slender rounded case? Both are distinctive, pure Cuervo y Sobrinos. This piece has all the features of a superb dress watch - a skinnied case, svelte markers and eyelash-slim hands. On the "velvet black" dial applied 1,3 and 0 numerals are both unusual and symbolic of the anniversary. At 6 o'clock a barely-there small seconds indicator features the dates 1882 and 2012 which form part of the cross-hair styling.
Inside is an ETA 7001 hand-wound decorated movement with 42 hours of power reserve and water resistance of up to 30m.
The Cuervo y Sobrinos Historiador Pequeños Segundos 130° Aniversario is presented in an 18 Karat pink gold 40mm case and is secured using a Louisiana Alligator leather strap.
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The Cuervo y Sobrinos Robusto Manjuari - yes they even make divers watches, this one is a superb combination of jagged edges and smooth ripples.