Swiss watchmaker Zenith has brought out a smokin’ hot watch to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the world’s most famous Cuban cigar, created back in 1966 exclusively for President Fidel Castro but later sold to the world.

The El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Cohiba Edition is limited to 50 watches in rose gold and 500 in stainless steel, all featuring a Havana brown dial and emblematic Cohiba motifs. 

Like the luxurious hand-rolled Cohiba cigars made by Habanos, the watch embodies high-quality craftsmanship dedicated to an exclusive way of life. 

Zenith CEO Aldo Magada says: “At Zenith we are proud and happy to be partnering with Cohiba, which is not only the best Habanos brand, but also represents the same relentless quest for product excellence that we have been pursuing for more than 150 years. The priority for both companies is to enhance the customer experience, thanks to the unique craftsmanship of our artisans. We are convinced that the limited series Zenith is offering will please connoisseurs of both worlds.”

“Here at Habanos we are very pleased and excited about this collaboration. These are two legendary brands with a similar history based on exclusivity and innovation, both sharing the same vision to deliver excellence to clients. The result is a series of exceptional watches, and a real tribute to the 50th anniversary of Cohiba,” says Javier Terrés, Development VP.

The watch is adorned in glossy chestnut reminiscent of the amber colour of the prestigious cigars. In a nod to the ultimate cigar, its Havana brown dial is spanned with vertical lines and distinctive motifs of the Cuban brand. The famous profile of aboriginal chief Taino, the manufacture’s emblem, appears alongside the Zenith and Cohiba logos. Beating to the vibrant rhythm of a legendary movement, the El Primero Chronomaster 1969 Cohiba Edition flaunts clean, sleek lines. Its high-frequency mechanism is housed in an elegant 42 mm-diameter rose gold case, fitted with a fluted crown and two round push-pieces. Topped by a domed sapphire crystal, this display with its sophisticated allure is punctuated by faceted, luminescent hands. The sapphire caseback, engraved with the Cohiba’s 50^th anniversary logo, reveals an oscillating weight adorned with the “Côtes de Genève”. 

At 11 o’clock, the opening of the dial reveals the automatic El Primero 4061 movement. With its impetuous 36,000 vibrations an hour cadence enabling a 1/10^th of a second display, its COSC precision-certified chronometer and integrated column-wheel construction, this El Primero ‘engine’ is a worthy heir to the world’s most precise series-made chronograph series presented by Zenith in 1969. Equipped with a silicon lever and escape-wheel, this 282-part movement driving central hour and minute, chronograph and tachymeter functions is endowed with over 50 hours of power reserve.

The watch is presented in a wooden box in the colours of the legendary Habanos cigar.

The watch was launched in Havana last week.