Booze and Havana – 4 watches inspired by fine alcohols and cigars from Hublot, Zenith, Armin Strom and Speake-Marin

Imagine yourself comfortably seated in antique leather Chesterfield sofa in a gentlemen’s club. What could be better, at such a moment, than enjoying a fine cigar and glass of old rum or cognac…? I can see some of you picturing this and already enjoying the very thought of it. It seems that amateurs of delightful booze and cigars have taste for fine crafts, and this of course includes high-end watches. Since a few months, we’ve seen several watches taking inspiration from cigars and alcohol, some as a partnership and some, even more interesting, including them into the watch. Here are 4 watches inspired by fine alcohols and cigars from Armin Strom, Hublot, Speake-Marin and Zenith.

Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Cohiba Edition

Cohiba is certainly amongst the most famous names in terms of fine cigars. Even if some of the production is widely available in street shops and duty-free airport boutiques, the Cuba-based brand (at the beginning only a few cigar-rollers working exclusively for Fidel Castro) became famous only since 1982 (at the time they started to produce for exports) and also includes a few very limited and exclusive vitolas, like the legendary Behike. The brand today celebrates its 50th anniversary and Zenith Watches decided to give honor to this jubilee with a limited edition of the El Primero Chronomaster 1969, all wrapped in warm colours, reminiscent of the world of cigars. Available in stainless steel and 18k pink gold, in a 42mm case matched with a dark brown strap, the Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Cohiba Edition mainly differentiates from the normal version with its dark chocolate brown dial, printed with the iconic pin-stripe and logo of the brand, which can be found on every single box from Habanos. Price: 9,300 Euros in steel and 19,900 Euros in pink gold.

Hublot Classic Fusion Forbidden X Cigar Watch

Just like the Zenith (funnily both brands are owned by the same group), the Hublot Classic Fusion Forbidden X takes inspiration into fine cigars but this time, the concept goes one step further. Not only this watch uses the color-codes of Habanos but it also sports a dial made with real tobacco leaves, the same leaves as those used to create the prestigious ForbiddenX cigar by Arturo Fuente. These leaves were sent from the Fuente Estate in Santo Domingo to the Hublot Manufacture in Switzerland so that the engineers could insert them in the dials via a high-tech process where epoxy resin is used to make them stable and rigid. Measuring 45mm in diameter, the Hublot Classic Fusion Forbidden X are designed in a shade of brown – strap and ceramic bezel – and in King Gold, to match with the tones of the cigar leaves dials. The watches are even delivered in their own wooden “humidor” cigar box. Ps. Don’t try to light it, it will certainly not be healthy. Price: starting at 13,400 € for the titanium edition.

Armin Strom Manual Cognac Watch

After the watches inspired by cigars, it’s time to look at timepieces featuring some fine alcohols. And now you certainly wonder how to insert a liquid in the movement of a watch (as you probably know that liquid is a movement’s worst enemy – and we’re not even talking about alcohols). For that, you’d better look at this Armin Strom Manual Cognac Watch. Enclosed in an hermitically sealed sapphire capsule is a drop of a prized Cognac spirit, dating from 1762 – which makes it the oldest authenticated bottle of Cognac ever sold at a public auction. The capsule is visible on the front of the watch and ensures that no liquid will ever ended its life into the precious 3-day power reserve manual movement of this Armin Strom. The watch, produced in a limited edition of 40 pieces, will be available in titanium, in stainless steel or 18k pink gold. Now the question is: where can we taste this Cognac? Price: on request.

Speake Marin Velsheda Rum Watch

Last but not least is Peter Speake-Marin, who uses his traditional British (and Gothic) themed-watches and mixes them with the same concept of a drop of century-old liquor enclosed on the dial of the watch. The watch is commissioned by the same group as the Armin Strom (Wealth Solutions, which bought the liquor in question). Based on the single-hand Velsheda watch, the index at 11 is replaced by an hermetically sealed capsule containing Harewood rum from the year 1780. And the position of the capsule is completely deliberate, as a reference to an old Navy tradition. 11 O’clock was the time seamen received their daily portion of rum, also called the “Up Spirit” time. The Speake Marin Velsheda Rum Watch is a limited edition of 100 watches, available in titanium or 18k red gold. Behind the dial ticks a Vaucher automatic movement. Ps. don’t try to open the capsule to take a sip… Even if it certainly is tempting, you’ll damage the movement! Price: on request.