Cuervo y Sobrinos Rough Rider Watch Series

3052.5RRV – Green dial

Cuervo y Sobrinos Rough Riders Series

 The Cuervo y Sobrinos Rough Riders Series honors the brave cavalrymen who fought in the Spanish-American War of 1898. This fearless band of men, the ‘Rough Riders’, engaged in several fierce battles. Housed in a 45mm titanium and bronze case, this model marks the 125^th anniversary of the Battle of San Juan Hill (1^st of July 1898) and the courageous men who fought for Cuba’s independence from Spain.

Founded in 1882, Cuervo y Sobrinos began life as a prestigious jewellery retailer in the glamorous city of Havana. While the company’s watches have always been made in Switzerland, the brand has always retained close ties with its ancestral home, Cuba. Indeed, the histories of Cuervo y Sobrinos and the Caribbean island are interwoven and have proved a rich source of inspiration for the firm over the years.

In 1895, Cuba sought independence from Spain. As a result the Spanish brutally suppressed the islanders. The US press reported on the events using sensationalist text and images, giving rise to widespread sympathy across America. However, that sympathy turned to anger when in 1898, the battleship USS Maine mysteriously sank, resulting in the death of 266 crew.

President William McKinley called for 125,000 volunteers to counter the Spanish colonial policies in Cuba. Following this, Colonel Leonard Wood and his second in command, Theodore Roosevelt (later to become the 26^th president), formed a regiment. Named the ‘1^st United States Volunteer Cavalry’, its ranks comprised men from Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. These men, accustomed to warm temperatures, were felt to be better able to cope with Cuba’s humid climate. This band of brothers, all accomplished horsemen, became known as the ‘Rough Riders’, albeit they fought on foot since their horses were not sent with them.

Various bloody battles ensued at Las Guasimas and San Juan Hill. The Siege of Santiago was the last major operation of the Spanish-American War. Ultimately, the Rough Riders would prevail over the Spanish, culminating in the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1898 with Spain renouncing all claims over Cuba.

According to local folklore, after the Rough Riders secured victory at San Juan Hill, a US Army captain, stationed in Havana, poured Coca-Cola and a squeeze of lime into his Bacardi and toasted his Cuban comrades, calling out “Cuba Libre!” (to a free Cuba). And just like that, a legend was born.

Cuervo y Sobrinos honors the bravery of the Rough Riders with a new limited-edition model. Housed in a 45mm case formed of titanium and bronze, the Rough Rider Series proffers much wrist-presence.”

The black dial features a subtle motif at its centre, presented in relief. Cathedral-style hour and minute hands, featuring Super-LumiNova®, collaborate with luminescent Arabic numerals to indicate the prevailing time. A chemin de fer, incorporating luminescent dots, frames the dial area, aiding readability. The Super-LumiNova® exhibits a vintage character, resembling the old tritium treatment that was widely used in yesteryear. A central seconds hand with a red openworked tip and a date indication at 6 o’clock complete the inventory of functions.

A notable characteristic of the Rough Riders Series is the plethora of subtle details that work in concert and enhance the overall composition of the dial. The applied CyS emblem denotes the midnight hour and charmingly plays with depths, a characteristic it shares in common with the cross swords, the Rough Riders’ emblem positioned at the base of the dial. The flange is enlivened with an additional minute track, featuring a series of small circlets.

To the rear of the watch, a see-through caseback affords sight of the automatic movement, the CyS 5103 calibre. The movement features a decorated oscillating weight incorporating a fan motif and an applied CyS logo. In addition, the pane of sapphire crystal is adorned with a depiction of a cavalryman holding a US flag.

The Rough Riders Series is presented on a ‘Barbour’ leather strap and affixes to the wrist with a stainless steel pin buckle. The watch is limited to 125 pieces in honor of the 125^th anniversary of the Battle of San Juan Hill which took place on the 1^st of July 1898.