Lighting one of our opulent cigars
VITOLA WATCH NAMES. CUBAN CIGAR COLLABORATIONS. ROMANTIC HERITAGE
Since the 1930’s, cigars and watches have been sold together – side-by-side as though one is a tie and the other a suit jacket. The complexity of these two luxury pieces stirs an idiosyncratic collaboration. For aficionados of Cuban Cigars and mechanical timepieces, there’s a spiralling increase to pair the two lavish art forms together. Cigar watches – a classic luxury to own.
HABANO INSPIRED WATCHES – Commemorating the 50th anniversary of Cohiba Cigars in 2016 – one of the most recognisable cigar names in the world, Zenith watches teamed up with Cohiba to create the Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Cohiba Edition. A stunning watch made with a black band and the infamous yellow and black Cohiba colours on the front design. Striking, timeless, and sure to make an impression in every cigar lounge and bar. Vintage watch brand Cuervo y Sobrinos, have crafted elegant watches since 1882. Established in Havana but made in Switzerland, the watch company has four different styles all named after Cuban cigar vitolas – Esplendidos, Prominente, Torpedo and Robusto. The company’s flagship store in Cuba – a boutique/museum, attracted Clark Gable, Albert Einstein, Ernest Hemingway and Winston Churchill. The watches are delivered in boxes which come with a humidor conversion kit, and some, such as the Robusto line, are sold in a humidor made from Cedar wood. An ideal coupling for a Robusto watch, would be a Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 Cigar. Debatably, one of the greatest Cuban cigars, this 124mm by 50 ring gauge habano, delivers a marvellous infusion of pepper, cedar and elements of earth flavour. Another example of a fine robusto cigar, is the Partagas Serie D No. 4 Cigar. Considered an ultimate favourite among connoisseurs, this habano blend comprises of earthy flavours, mixed in with notes of spice and a musty aroma.
Top Left: Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 Cigar, Top Right: Cuervo y Sobrinos Day Date Churchill Watch, Bottom: Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Cohiba Edition
"Cigar Cutter watch with a cigar clipper on the back"
CIGAR WATCH DESIGNS – Although all luxury markets forge a group of enthusiasts, there’s something unique about watch and cigar devotees. Put them in a room together and witness a level of friendship comparable to life-long friends – endless conversation and interest. From a stereotypical stance, men do not admire or display appreciation for accessories. Make that accessory a watch with a cigar element however, and men are most welcoming. Take for instance, master watchmaker Antoine Preziuso. Distinguished for aligning tradition with innovative design, his Precious Hours collection features a Robusto Cigar Cutter watch with a cigar clipper on the back. Additionally, Preziuso designed a model with Che Guevara – a key figure in the Cuban revolution depicted on the dials. Other note-worthy cigar watch designs include The Originals GK250 Cigar Watch by Swatch – a plastic case with a cigar in the centre, and the Bichrono by deLaCour – a cigar leaf fixed on the dial.
Top Left: Partagas Serie D No. 4 Cigar, Top Right: Bichrono by deLaCour Watch, Bottom: Antoine Preziuso Robusto Cigar Cutter Watch
"Cuban Cigar brands are shrouded in dreamy heritage"
ROMANTIC HERITAGE AND CRAFTSMANSHIP – Unlike some luxury products which decline in value after purchase, Cuban cigars and watches are an investment piece which – if looked after carefully, can last a number of years. Our post: Investing in Cuban Cigars, tells you everything to know about collecting. Wine is a romantic indulgence, but watches are a partnership. Surpassing any fashion statement, you can adorn the same watch at your graduation, wedding and at the birth of your child. Originally, wristwatches were a piece of jewellery for women – men preferred pocket watches. The war encouraged men to adopt the wristwatch style, as they needed their hands free for battle – pocket watches required their hands to check. WWII solidified the masculine element of watches for men, and the dreamy notion between the links to battle and the attachment we have today, exhumes a romantic quality. Cuban cigars have a hazier and unspecific history – Christopher Columbus discovered Cuba and introduced their tobacco to Spain, but the Cubans were smoking long before. The classic, Cuban Cigar brands are shrouded in dreamy heritage however, – men who managed to find themselves in Havana with nothing but ambition, only to spend their last days as successful cigar entrepreneurs. Such was the case with Jaime Partagas. We explored his fascinating life on our article: Partagas Cigars: Dramatic History Behind the Brand.
It seems the connection between cigars and watches is unwavering. Maybe one of life’s natural, married pairings – salt and pepper, butter and toast… Speaking of watches, we are excited to announce that the time is finally here, for you to own the Bolivar 681 Cigar – Bulgaria’s first ever Regional Edition. This cigar for sale online is one of the most exclusive and rare, comprising of only 2,500 boxes ever produced.