Cuervo y Sobrinos Watches - The Flamboyant History of this Latin Brand

Cuervo y Sobrinos are creators of exquisitely crafted luxury watches which have more than a hint of vintage Latin styling. Founded 125 years ago in the vibrant city of Havana, a cultural melting pot of unique attractions, the Cuervo y Sobrinos designs were appreciated by American and European clients seeking timepieces expressive of the Cuban heritage and its philosophy of El Tiempo Liento (or time which passes slowly).

The Cuervo y Sobrinos watchmakers shop was located on the Avenida Quinta (Havana’s Fifth Avenue) in the heart of the city. The business was founded by Don Ramon Rio Cuervo and was later inherited by his nephew Don Armando Rio Cuervo and his brothers hence the name Cuervo y Sobrinos (Cuervo and nephews). This was the golden age of travel and Havana was in its glorious heyday, a city unlike any other in the world. A continuous stream of eclectic visitors flocked to soak up its indefinable atmosphere, many of whom also visited and became clients of the boutique of Cuervo y Sobrinos.

The luxury watches offered by the brand were distinctly Latin in styling but the watch movements were sourced from Switzerland in the very heart of the watchmaking industry, La Chaux-de-Fonds. International demand for these unconventional watches continued to grow and the business expanded opening stores in Germany, Paris and Switzerland.

When the revolution took hold Cuba quickly became a country where the trappings of wealth such as a fine watchmaking business were no longer to be tolerated and the Cuervo y Sobrinos brand ceased to be. Intervention came in the form of Italian businessman Luca Musumeci, who purchased the brand and any assets associated with it in 1997. The original shop on the Avenida Quinta survived and on visiting it, Luca Musumeci made the discovery of old drawings of watch designs, watch movements and cases which had been stored in enormous trunks for four decades. Along with his partner Mario Villa, a successful distributor of luxury watches, Luca Musumeci resumed production of Cuervo y Sobrinos watches in Switzerland.

Today Cuervo y Sobrinos are once again producers of elegant luxury watches using traditional manufacturing methods in the spirit of the original brand philosophy. The portfolio of watches available include the Esplendido and Prominente with elegant elongated rectangle 1930’s inspired cases and the rounded Robusto and Torpedo models.
These distinctive watches continue the heritage of the original birthplace - each range is named after famous cigar cuts, another export synonymous with Cuba and are presented in beautifully crafted tropical and Spanish cedar wood humidors which are manufactured without the use of glue or chemicals. These boxes are the perfect place to conserve fine Cuban cigars or of course, a finely crafted Cuervo y Sobrinos watch.

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