The latest collection to join the Swiss brand with Cuban roots is the Buceador Caribe, a new line of dive watches with a strong personality and a generous splash of color. Like other Cuervo y Sobrinos collections, it embodies brightness. Founded in 1882 in Havana, Cuba, Cuervo y Sobrinos recreates the golden decade of the 1950s, when global socialites and celebrities flocked to the island's exotic setting. Three models with complex case construction, 200-meter water resistance, and beautiful gradient dials open the new Buceador Caribe collection.
Cuban Diving
Cuba, with its 5,745 km coastline washed by the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the northern Atlantic Ocean, is a top spot for divers with well-preserved coral reefs, mangroves, and abundant marine life (including sharks and sea crocodiles).
The Buceador (Spanish for "diver") is ready for underwater work and is currently available in stainless steel and black DLC steel cases. Its 43 mm diameter and 15.8 mm high container-type case ensures 200 m water resistance and features a complex sandwich construction. The octagonal mid-case is equipped with two crowns. The one on the right, at the "2 o'clock" position, is released by a button at the "4 o'clock" position to adjust the internal rotating bezel before diving. The second crown at the "9 o'clock" mark is used for setting the time and winding the mainspring. The protruding round bezel rises above the octagonal platform and contains sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating and beautifully beveled edges. The matte and polished finish, best seen on the two stainless steel models, highlights the dynamic architecture of the case. The twelve-sided case back is sealed and depicts a diver.
Caribbean Colors
Currently, three dial colors are available, inspired by the crystal-clear waters of Varadero, the pastel sands of Cayo Coco, and Cuba's unique black coral reefs.
The Buceador Caribe model (Ref. 2860.1AZ) features an attractive gradient blue dial with turquoise accents, recreating the stunning sea colors of Varadero. The essential 15-minute turquoise timer with yellow numbers 05, 10, and 15 contrasts with the slightly darker blue of the face. Yellow is also used for the Buceador inscription on the dial and for the luminous tip of the central seconds hand. The Arabic numerals and markers in turquoise frames are filled with sand-colored Super-LumiNova, as are the thick hour and minute hands and the tip of the central seconds hand. The date window at the "6 o'clock" position has an octagonal steel frame, and the brand crest is located just below the luminous dot on the diving bezel. The Varadero model comes with a turquoise rubber strap with a yellow lining and an additional dark blue glossy leather strap for life on land, both with stainless steel buckles.
The warm sands of Cayo Coco inspire the light brown gradient dial of the Buceador Caribe model (Ref. 2860.1AR). The 15-minute section of the diving bezel is highlighted with red numbers to match the tip of the central seconds hand, which is also highlighted in red along with the Buceador inscription on the dial. The indices are outlined in black and printed with Super-LumiNova. The three central hands are filled with sand-colored Super-LumiNova. Cayo Coco is paired with a matte brown rubber strap with a red lining and an additional light brown glossy leather strap.
The third model, known as Coral Negro (Ref. 2860.3N), is released in a black DLC stainless steel case and features a black gradient dial. The smoke effect is especially noticeable on this dial due to the darker color. Like the Cayo Coco, the dark dial features red accents on the diving bezel, seconds hand, and Buceador inscription above the date window. Coral Negro also comes with two straps: a matte black rubber strap with a red lining and a second black glossy leather strap.
Under the sealed case back is the CYS 5104 caliber, based on the Peseux 224 automatic movement with a 38-hour power reserve and a decorative Côtes de Genève pattern on the rotor.
As expected from a brand whose collections are named after famous Cuban cigars, the Buceador Caribe models are presented in a special humidor box with an additional strap.
Price
The blue Varadero model (Ref. 2860.1AZ) and the sand-brown Cayo Coco (Ref. 2860.1 AR) are priced at retail for 2,800 euros (including taxes). The Coral Negro with the black DLC case (Ref. 2860.3N) is slightly more expensive, retailing for 3,000 euros (including taxes). As stated on the official website, delivery takes approximately four weeks.