Ahoy, Matey! The Cuban cum Swiss brand pays tribute to the rebellious and romantic side of the pirate life with its latest timekeeping booty.

When I think Cuba I think of beautiful beaches, rum, cigars, and of course revolution. So it’s not much of a surprise to not expect that Cuba can deliver some seriously impressive luxury timepieces too.

Cuervo y Sobrinos first started based out of Havana, Cuba, only to stop operations and reinvemnt itself as a Swiss brand. But while it’s watches are now Swiss made, the brand still claims to have a “a Latin soul.”

The release of the Torpedo Pirata GMT is definitely a nod to that soul, more specifically to the good ol’ pirate life on the high seas. Caribbean islands like Cuba, Tortuga and Santo Domingo were once a favourite hunting ground for pirates. And this watch does a great job in mirroring that spirit of freedom, rebellion and adventure.

The spirit and style of the buccaneers of old are evident throughout the watch. The case is in the shape of a cannon mouth, while the lugs represent the bow of a ship. The crown is also a subtle design in the shape of the globe, symbolizing the endless possibilities for pirates to dominate the high seas.

The Torpedo Pirata GMT houses the automatic SW 330-1 movement with a second time zone and date at 6 o’clock. It is water resistant to 5 ATM and also has a decent 40 hour power reserve. The details of the impressive mechanism can be appreciated through the sapphire crystal case-back, which sports a unique logo of 2 pirate swords around the classic CyS brand logo.

The GMT model also boasts another hidden treasure: a complicated and innovative modular case with interchangeable rings fitted between the case and the bezel. Thanks to this new feature – a first in watchmaking as far as I know – the watch can evolve by playing with various metals to give it a distinctive look.

Reflecting the pirate spirit, the Torpedo Pirata GMT is a great tribute to the call of the seas and tailor made for those with a rebellious streak. The watch design is also a welcome addition to a wide array of pirate-themed timepeices that only rely on the cliche skull and bones motif. This is a fine example of elegant piracy.