Cuervo y Sobrinos, a brand with a famously unique dual heritage, has introduced a significant update to its most emblematic model line. The company, originally founded in Havana in 1882 and now operating from Switzerland, has always balanced its vibrant Latin-American character with Swiss mechanical watchmaking. This new release, the Historiador Tradición, represents a major step forward in the brand's technical prowess while simultaneously digging deeper into its own vintage-inspired design language. It’s an evolution that brings a new level of certified performance to the forefront.
The new Historiador Tradición collection is a milestone for Cuervo y Sobrinos for one very specific and important reason: it is the first timepiece from the Maison ever to receive COSC certification. This recognition from the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres is an independent, external validation of the watch's precision and performance. For a watch to be certified, its movement must pass a battery of tests over 15 days in different positions and at different temperatures, ensuring it maintains a strict average daily rate.
Courtesy of Cuervo y Sobrinos
Achieving this certification is a noteworthy accomplishment for any brand, but for Cuervo y Sobrinos, it signifies a dedicated push into a new era of Swiss precision. It’s a statement that their "Swiss savoir-faire" is not just a marketing phrase but a core component of their product, vetted and confirmed by the industry's most respected authority on chronometry. This move elevates the Historiador line from a collection known primarily for its distinctive aesthetic to one that is now also a certified, high-performance timekeeper.
Powering this new watch is the Soprod Newton P092 calibre. This is an automatic, self-winding movement that provides the reliable engine for the Tradición. The choice of the Soprod Newton is key here; it is a modern, capable movement known for its robust construction, and its ability to be regulated to chronometer standards is now proven. The movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, or 4 Hz, which is the modern standard for mechanical watches, contributing to a smooth sweep of the seconds hand and stable timekeeping.
From a practical standpoint, the movement provides a 44-hour power reserve, which is a solid specification for a watch that will likely be part of a rotation. It means the watch can be set down for a weekend and, in many cases, will still be running on Monday morning. The calibre is built with 23 jewels to reduce friction on critical components, and its dimensions (26mm in diameter and 4.6mm in height) allow it to be housed within the watch's classically proportioned case without adding unnecessary bulk.
The case itself is a newly developed design for the Tradición, rendered in polished stainless steel. It measures 40mm in diameter, a contemporary size that should appeal to a very wide audience, fitting comfortably on most wrists. The height is 12.33mm, which gives the watch enough presence to feel substantial without being overly thick. The design retains the graceful, flowing curves that are a hallmark of the Historiador collection, particularly in its long, distinctively shaped lugs that drop down to hug the wrist.
Courtesy of Cuervo y Sobrinos
A significant part of that 12.33mm height is the new "glass box" sapphire crystal. This is a deliberately vintage-inspired choice. Rather than a flat or slightly domed crystal, a box crystal is raised significantly above the bezel with sharp, defined sides, much like the acrylic (Plexiglass) crystals used on watches in the 1950s. By using sapphire, Cuervo y Sobrinos provides the warm, nostalgic look of a mid-century watch but with the superior scratch resistance of modern materials. The crystal is also treated with an anti-reflective coating to reduce glare and improve legibility.
Another modern update to the case construction is its water resistance. The Historiador Tradición is rated to 10 ATM, which is equivalent to 100 meters. This is a surprisingly capable specification for a watch that presents with such dressy, classic aesthetics. While it's not a dive watch, this level of water resistance provides significant peace of mind, ensuring the watch is protected from rain, splashes, or even an accidental swim.
Turning the watch over reveals another first for this model: an open sapphire caseback. Where previous versions may have had a solid back, this one invites the owner to view the mechanical heart of the watch. This decision to display the movement is fitting, given that it's the brand's first COSC-certified calibre. It’s a proud display of the component that earned the new designation.
The view through the caseback shows the Soprod Newton P092. The movement features an automatic winding rotor that has been customized by Cuervo y Sobrinos with a "fan decoration" and a centrally applied CyS emblem. This finishing adds a decorative touch to an otherwise business-like calibre. Furthermore, each movement is individually numbered, which corresponds to the limited-edition number of the watch, reinforcing its exclusivity.
Courtesy of Cuervo y Sobrinos
The dial of the Historiador Tradición is perhaps its most captivating feature, staying true to the brand's unique visual identity. The dial surface is not flat or sunburst but is instead decorated with a fine, grid-shaped "frappage" texture. This guilloché-style pattern is directly inspired by an original dial motif used by the brand on its watches from the 1950s. This texture plays with the light in a dynamic way, giving the dial a sense of depth and intricate detail.
The branding on the dial is also a signature Cuervo y Sobrinos element. Both the brand name at 12 o'clock and the "Tradición" model name just above the date window are presented within "cartouches"—small, framed plaques printed on the dial. This is another design cue pulled directly from the brand's historical models, lending an air of old-world charm to the watch's face.
Time is read via applied, gold-colored indices. These indices are a mix of two shapes: longer, trapezoidal markers for the primary hours and small, circular dots for the intervening hours. At the 12 o'clock position, a gold-colored, applied CyS emblem is used, which features small red accents within the shield, adding a subtle spark of color.
The hands are a classic "dauphine" style, which are faceted, sharp, and match the gold color of the indices. This style is highly legible and appropriate for the watch's mid-century design. A striking point of contrast is the central seconds hand. It is rendered in a bright, vivid red and features a distinct arrow-shaped tip. This flash of color not only adds a sporty, confident personality to the dial but also makes the sweeping motion of the certified chronometer movement easy to track at a glance.
A framed date window is located at the 6 o'clock position, a placement that provides a nice sense of visual balance to the dial, directly opposite the CyS emblem and brand cartouche at 12 o'clock. The white date disc with black numerals is functional and legible.
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The Historiador Tradición is being offered in three different dial shades, each with its own reference and personality. The first is the silver dial (Ref 3195.1TS). This version is the most classic and understated, with the silver-white "frappage" dial creating a crisp, bright backdrop for the gold-colored indices and hands. It’s a versatile look that can easily be dressed up or down.
The second version is the champagne dial (Ref 3195.1TCH). This model leans heavily into the vintage inspiration. The warm, creamy, off-white tone of the dial gives the watch an aged, patinated feel right out of the box. This color pairs perfectly with the gold-colored hands and markers, creating a very cohesive and warm aesthetic.
Finally, the collection includes a striking burgundy dial (Ref 3195.1TBY). This is the boldest and most contemporary-feeling option of the three. The deep, rich red color of the dial provides a dramatic contrast against the polished steel case and the gold-colored dial furniture. It’s a color that makes a strong statement and showcases the "Cuban soul" side of the brand's identity.
Each watch is paired with a high-quality matte Louisiana alligator strap. The strap choice is color-matched to the dial variant. The silver and burgundy models come on a rich, chocolate brown strap, which complements both the bright silver and the deep red dials. The champagne model is fittingly paired with a lighter honey brown strap, enhancing its warm, vintage-inspired color palette.
The strap is secured to the wrist with a stainless steel folding buckle. This is a significant upgrade from a standard pin buckle, as it provides a more secure fit and reduces wear and tear on the alligator strap over time by not requiring the wearer to bend it through a buckle each time. The buckle is, of course, engraved with the Cuervo y Sobrinos emblem.
Courtesy of Cuervo y Sobrinos
A key aspect of this new release is its scarcity. Each of the three color variations is a limited edition of just 282 pieces. This specific number is not arbitrary; it is a symbolic tribute to the Maison’s founding year of 1882. This limitation, with fewer than 300 of each style available worldwide, adds a layer of exclusivity to the watch and connects its ownership directly to the brand's long history.
The Cuervo y Sobrinos Historiador Tradición is available for a price of $4,500. For this, the buyer receives the brand's first-ever COSC-certified chronometer, a watch with a unique vintage-inspired design, and a piece of a very limited-edition run. Continuing the brand's tradition, the watch is presented in a "Standard Humidor Box," a handsome wooden presentation case that doubles as a functional cigar humidor, paying one last, perfect tribute to the brand's Havana origins.
Case: Stainless steel, 40mm diameter, 12.33mm height. Sapphire crystal glass box with anti-reflective coating. See-through case back with fan decoration and applied CyS emblem. Water resistant to 10 ATM.
Movement: Soprod Newton P092, Automatic, COSC Certified. Diameter: 26mm, Height: 4.6mm. 44-hour power reserve, 23 jewels, 28,800 A/h. Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, date.
Dial: Silver, Champagne, or Burgundy with grid-shaped 'frappage' texture. Gold colored applied trapezoidal and circular indices. Gold colored applied CyS emblem. 3N colored 'dauphine' style hour/minute hands, red arrow-shaped seconds hand.
Strap: Chocolate brown or Honey matte Louisiana alligator. Stainless Steel folding buckle engraved with CyS emblem.
Price: $4,500.00
Reference Number: 3195.1TS (Silver), 3195.1TCH (Champagne), 3195.1TBY (Burgundy)
Notes: This is the first timepiece from Cuervo y Sobrinos to receive COSC certification. It is a limited edition of 282 pieces per color, individually numbered.