The now-Swiss brand of Cuban origin has recently presented its 2011 Cuervo Y Sobrinos Historiador Retrogrado (ref. 3194.1A) that features a retrograde date display and a power reserve indicator. Still sporting the same deliberately archaic styling of its face and powered by a modified ETA caliber, the new model tries to monetize the watchmaker’s ‘colonial’ legacy and, from where I sit, is successful at that.
While their last year’s Pirata Complete Calendar looked somewhat fussy, the new timekeeper is pleasantly elegant and refined bringing in associations with large white palaces, shiny pre-WWII open-top limousines, and, of course, men wearing expensive suits and smoking precious cigars of local origin.
Its silvered dial with Clous de Paris motif serves as a perfect background for the cobalt blue hands with strokes of Superluminova on them.
The applied Cuervo y Sobrinos logo is in tune with the satin-finished sub-dials of the retrograde date, power reserve, and days of week indicator placed at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock respectively.
The polished long horns (they seem to be welded to the case) also increase the timekeeper’s attractiveness without making the timepiece less convenient since, measured from tip to tip, it is still only approximately 52 millimeters long: a standard for a modern luxury timekeeper. If your wrist is not too much below average in its width and circumference, the piece should probably sit nicely on your hand.
The watch is said to be powered by CyS 240 automatic movement, which is based on a third-party caliber, equipped with a third-party add-on module, and features a branded oscillating weight.
The company says nothing as to what blank caliber it is based on, but, with its dimensions of 25.60 x 5.10 mm and 30 jewels, as well as with the signature dial layout, I may safely assume that this is a redecorated ETA 2892 automatic movement with the Soprod 9094 module sitting atop of it.
Although this sort of “caliber outsourcing” is an overwhelmingly common practice even among top-tier brands, I must admit that, given its relatively unimpressive guts, the Historiador Retrogrado is impressively overpriced.
To my taste, charging a whole six thousand Swiss franks for this model is too much. Well, perhaps Cuervo Y Sobrinos plans to market it more aggressively offering discounts that would look even more impressive. Time will tell.
See also: Zenith Elite Captain Central Second (ref. 18.2020.670/01.C498)
Photos: Cuervo Y Sobrinos
Cuervo Y Sobrinos Hitoriador Retrogrado 3194.1A specification
Price: CHF 6000 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, CyS 240 (base ETA caliber with an add-on module), 25.60 x 5.10 mm (diameter x height,) 30 jewels, 28,800 vph, Swiss Made
Movement decoration: Branded oscillating weight
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, retrograde date, days of the week, power reserve
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case: Stainless steel, polished
Shape: Round
Size: 40.00 mm
Case height: 11.25 mm
Dial: Silvered, Clous de Paris guilloche
Numerals: Roman
Hands: Cobalt blue, luminous
Chapter ring: Railway minute track
Water resistance: 30 meters
Strap: Louisiana alligator leather strap with a stainless steel folding buckle
Crystal: Sapphire, double curved
Back: Sapphire