American Artist Scott Jacobs is known for his fantastic painting on motorcycles, particularly Harley-Davidson machines. The luxury watch brand Cuervo y Sobrinos has united with the Painter once more, with a limited-edition timepiece collection called the Espléndidos Scott Jacobs which features a Harley-Davidson Knucklehead Bobber on its dial.
Cuervo y Sobrinos has been with us for more than 100 years. Its roots go way back to 1882 and since then the watch company has witnessed a huge amount of change. In the 1930s, Havana was a huge draw for the rich and famous, no doubt attracted by the sophisticated lifestyle and wonderful climate.
Havana is a beautiful looking city, due in no small part to the vivid colours painted on its buildings and let’s not forget the 1950s American cars which it is also famous for. It’s these things that make Havana unique and have acted as an inspiration in the company’s exquisite watches over the years.
It is the colours, shapes and designs of yesteryear act as the basis for many of the world’s leading brands design processes today. It’s not just watchmakers’ such as Cuervo y Sobrinos who’ve drawn inspiration from the past, the American artist Scott Jacobs shares the same passion, and he puts his renowned talent into painting Harley-Davidson motorcycles, one of which is his spectacular pre-war El Knucklehead.
How a Knucklehead and a Doobie can help with an artist’s inspiration
The Harley Davidson Knucklehead was the replacement for the bike builders Flathead motorcycle and was in production from 1936 to 1947. The most popular versions of the bike were built before WWII and revered by Harley-Davidson enthusiasts. Whilst exploring his passion for the bikes, Scott Jacobs got to know two Harley-Davidson enthusiasts named Patrick and Cris Simmons.
Some of you reading this might recognise the name Patrick Simmons and for very good reasons. Patrick is one of the founding members of the iconic rock band, the Doobie Brothers, whose records have sold in the tens of millions and in 2020 joined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. If you’ve ever wondered how the band came up with its name, a friend of the band members named Keith “Dyno” Rosen apparently said, “Why don’t you call yourself the Doobie Brothers because you’re always smoking pot?”
Cris and Patrick are well known in Harley-Davidson circles as they sometimes enter their classic bikes in events such as the Motorcycle Cannonball Endurance Run. Within their collection is a 1939 Knucklehead Bobber in a vivid blue and yellow livery. Cris, Patrick and Scott have a shared appreciation for Harley-Davidson bikes, particularly Knucklehead’s, and it’s this that has helped with Scott’s artistic inspiration.
Cuervo y Sobrinos and Scott Jacobs are no strangers to each other. The watch brand and the artist have previously collaborated, which culminated in the release of a limited-edition watch based on his painting ‘Live to Ride‘. When the watch brand suggested working together again, Scott immediately knew he wanted to capture the appearance of the 1939 Knucklehead Bobber.
The Espléndidos watch dials gave Scott Jacobs a unique miniature canvas on which to work on and express his creativity. To start, Scott put his ideas onto full-size canvasses. After that, this artwork was replicated in miniature form using a special four-colour laser printing technique. Scott’s 1939 Knucklehead Bobber is known for its beautiful colours and shades, and each has been beautifully recreated in a distinctive way on the watch dials.
Luminescent hour, minute and centre seconds hands articulate the prevailing time. A stainless steel case measures 36mm x 47mm, providing a large canvas for Scott’s dial-based artwork.
The Swiss watchmaking brand uses reliable movements within its timepieces, and the CYS Calibre 5085 is the choice in the Scott Jacob. It is automatic, eliminating the need for daily winding. If the owner removes the watch from their wrist, it will continue to run autonomously for up to 44 hours. A see-through case back allows views of the superb movement within.
An Alcantara strap completes this stunning creation, presented in blue featuring orange lining that compliments the blue and matching stitching.
Although Cuervo y Sobrinos makes contemporary watches, the brand always looks back to its history for design cues and the skills to create new modern designs.
The Espléndidos Scott Jacobs reunites like-minded parties with the luxury watchmaker Cuervo y Sobrinos joining the Painter to produce 100 exclusive timepieces. Each watch will carry the beautiful creation of a Harley-Davidson 1939 Knucklehead Bobber.
I love my motorcycles and watches, so seeing a combination of the two is exciting for me. The artistry that has gone into the painting on the Scott Jacob’s watch is extraordinary. If you share the same passions, then it would be an ideal timepiece to purchase.
The Cuervo y Sobrinos Espléndidos Scott Jacobs – Where and how?
The Espléndidos Scott Jacobs timepieces are priced at £2,700.00 and will be limited to just twenty-four pieces. Please note that there is a four week delivery time. For more information on the brand and the Espléndidos Scott Jacobs, please visit www.cuervoysobrinos.com.
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