Swiss Watches
Cuervo y Sobrinos, a relatively obscure brand that was established on Cuba and is now owned by a Swiss-based company, has presented a new version of their deliciously retro-styled Pirata automatic watch. Now called Cuervo y Sobrinos Pirata Complete Calendar Limited Edition (ref. 3051.5NF), the watch packs the usual functionality of an ETA 7751 caliber into a not so common combination of steel, titanium, and bronze.
Although I find CyS’s current experiments with design language somewhat disgusting, there is a certain beauty to this timepiece, especially if you are into pirate movies and steam-punk culture.
Also, there is something resolutely un-Swiss about this watch, which also makes it unique when compared to other Swiss Made and German devices that tend to look either, um, technocratic like a miniature Mercedes-Benz on your hand or, um, stately like a miniaturized pocket watch from the XVIII century.
As the rest of the family, the Cuervo y Sobrinos Pirata Complete Calendar Limited Edition is offered in a seven-piece case, where any of the pieces may be crafted in titanium, steel or bronze and combined to your liking.
As far as I can see, the model on the promo image has its bezel made of bronze, while the lugs, crown and chronograph push-pieces are made of titanium.
Being 45 mm in diameter, the case is rather large, but the crown is so oversized that it actually resembles a cannonball.
The matte-black dial provides a good background for the dagger-shaped hour and minute hands also made of bronze and supplied with tiny amounts of lume on their tips.
Its layout is rather standard, because the watch is equipped with a mass-produced ETA Valjoux 7751 automatic chronograph movement, but the decoration also makes the dial look, um, different.
Being a version of the ETA Valjoux 7750 caliber, the movement comes with a so called full calendar module, so that the watch can display date, day of week, and month. Of course, there is also a moon-phase display with day/night indicator.
The only thing that puzzles me here a little is the water resistance rating of just 50 meters. I mean, it is a pirate-themed watch, isn’t it supposed to be more durable and all?
Cuervo y Sobrinos plans to issue 200 pieces of the watch. The retail price of $8250 seems a bit over the top here and even the quality of the mechanism that powers it probably wouldn’t save the piece if the Swiss-based brand won’t start to discount it aggressively soon after the piece comes to a boutique near you. Well, anyway, good luck with selling them.
WWR Verdict
Originality 5/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Usability: 4/5
Overall Legibility: 4/5
Nighttime Legibility: 3/5
Value for Money: 3.5/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
See also: Limes Pharo Full Calendar Chronograph with Moonphase
Photos: Cuervo y Sobrinos
Cuervo y Sobrinos Pirata Complete Calendar Limited Edition (ref. 3051.5NF) automatic watch specification
Price: $8250 (MSRP)
Movement: Caliber ETA Valjoux 7751, automatic, diameter: 31.00 mm, height: 5.05 mm, Swiss Made
Jewels: 25
Cadence of balance: 28,800 vph
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, day of week, month, chronograph
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case material: Steel, titanium, bronze
Bezel material: Steel, titanium, bronze
Case shape: Round
Bezel shape: Round
Case size: 45.00 mm
Lug width: No data
Case height: 15.50 mm
Dial: Black with gold accents
Numerals: None
Hands: Steel, titanium, bronze (open-worked and luminous)
Water resistance: 50 meters
Strap: Dark rubber strap, embellished with a light brown stitching
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Case back: Sapphire