In the last decade there has been an emergence of many new and exciting brands within the world of horology. A few good examples are Devon, Rebellion, HYT, MB & F, Urwerk and De-Bethune. I have written several articles about these companies for my own website and for other prestigious magazines. Another innovative watchmaker that really interests me is Cvstos. Originally Sassoun Simakes and Antonio Terranova founded the business in 2005. Within a relatively short space of time they have established a solid reputation within the industry.
The last time I featured Cvstos on Total Watch Reviews was back in June 2013. At that time they had just formed a partnership with Spanish MotoGP motorcycle racer Dani Pedrosa. This culminated in the production of a wonderful looking timepiece called the Challenge Dani Pedrosa. It is fair to say that their designs bear a strong resemblance to Richard Mille watches. However I feel they are still incredibly stylish and marketed at a completely different price point.
A few days ago I received a press release from Cvstos unveiling a new watch inspired by the legendary Gustave Eiffel. In his capacity as a civil engineer he created many architectural masterpieces including the Statue of Liberty, Maria Pia de Porto Bridge and the iconic La Tour Eiffel. The Challenge Gustave Eieffel measures a formidable 53.70mm x 41mm x 13.35 mm. Realistically these proportions won’t appeal to everyone’s tastes. As the dimensions and tonneau case design are similar to the Franck Muller Long Island Crazy Hours Tourbillon (reviewed on 23rd September 2013) I suspect this watch would feel comfortable to wear for most occasions.
I have to admire Cvstos for embarking on this ambitious project. Ultimately the styling could have appeared gimmicky with a lack of substance. Instead they have sympathetically honored the immense talents of Gustave Eiffel by creating a beautiful timepiece. The dial has a marvelous architectural quality and perfectly exposes the mechanics of the watch. I love the multi-layered appearance that gives the façade incredible depth. Many structural elements from the La Tour Eiffel have been incorporated into the design. Other attractive features include the polished 5N red gold screws, crown and indexes. Although there are a lot of details to digest, the overall composition is mesmerising.
To power the watch, Cvstos has devised the highly sophisticated Calibre CVS350. This self-winding movement comprises 21-jewels and oscillates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. The mechanism is also showcased through the sapphire crystal exhibition case back. Functionally the Challenge Gustave Eieffel features hours, minutes, seconds and the date (displayed on a skeletonized disc). The watch also has a power reserve of 42-hours and is water resistant to a depth of 100 metres.
The Challenge Gustave Eieffel is available in a choice of either steel or bronze steel and comes with a hand sewn alligator strap.