INTRODUCING: The Cvstos Metropolitan PS Skeleton Cafu & Breel Embolo
Fergus NashThe World Cup is coming and Cvstos are clearly getting excited. This intriguing microbrand loves their football, as is clear from their two brand ambassadors. The first of these is Cafu, the Brazilian defender often regarded as the best right back of all time, having won more caps for his country than any other player. For any football fan, Cafu is a fairly logical ambassador choice, but Cvstos’ second pick is far more niche. Breel Embolo is a Monaco striker, but it’s in his national colours for Switzerland that he’s become an unlikely cult hero and, in fact, the side’s only player with his own fan song – “Oh Embolo, oh Embolo”, sung to the tune of The Lion Sleeps Tonight (“I de Nati, de Schwiizer Nati, isch de Breel diehi”).
Apparently the arrangement with Embolo was driven by the friendship between Cvstos’ founder, Sassoun Sirmakes and the player, with the idea of a partnership coming last April. When Embolo visited Cvstos’ annual watch exhibition in Geneva, he was so fascinated by the brand’s Metropolitan collection that a personalised sapphire crystal model was developed with a red skeleton movement and a matching strap. Cafu’s piece meanwhile is similar only with blue accents.
The case
The Cvstos Metropolitan PS Skeleton uses the tonneau shape that encompasses the niche of sporty luxury, and expresses the brand’s quirky charm. It’s difficult to talk about case finishing when it’s made of pure sapphire, but the sheen from those rounded surfaces gives the watch an almost liquid-like quality that transcends materials. Tonneau cases tend to look a bit larger than circular watches, however the 42mm width and 51mm lug-to-lug length should ensure a comfortable fit, helped along by the integrated leather or rubber strap design.
The most exciting aspect of the case is simply its existence, as Cvstos is quite a small brand. Seeing the potential for sapphire cases to become more available outside of mega-brands opens up a lot of opportunities for further experimentation.
The dial
There’s a lot to unpack within the dial of the Cvstos Metropolitan PS Skeleton, with its thoroughly futuristic attitude showing off as much of its technical side as possible. The PS in the name stands for Petite Seconde, which is represented by a triple-spoked wheel above the 6 o’clock position. Showing the seconds is a subdial ring made from clear sapphire and white printed markers, interrupted at the 30 seconds spot by a small date window.
The skeletonised baton hands and the ridged hour markers further push for that high-tech aesthetic, while a printed minute track around the rehaut ensures that the Cvstos Metropolitan PS Skeleton actually remains functional and legible. From the dial side, you can see the differing greys and silvers of the movement with a bright burst of either red or blue to represent each player.
The movement
Cvstos have an in-house movement called the Calibre CVS410, with solid daily-wear specs such as automatic winding, a 4Hz beat rate, and 50 hours of power reserve. This skeletonised version is particularly intriguing from the front, but the display caseback is really what captures attentions. The finishing is immaculate, but the standout feature is a QR code engraved onto the gold winding rotor that lets you access a unique online page about your watch.
The Cvstos Metropolitan PS Skeleton Cafu & Breel Embolo pricing and availability:
These Cvstos Metropolitan PS Skeleton models are limited editions, with the Cafu model limtied to 50 pieces and the Breel Embolo reference limited to just 52. Price: TBC
| Brand | Cvstos |
| Model | Metropolitan PS Skeleton Cafu / Breel Embolo |
| Case Dimensions | 42mm x 51mm |
| Case Material | Sapphire |
| Water Resistance | 30 Metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Skeletonised with red or blue accents |
| Lug Width | NA |
| Strap | Integrated rubber or leather |
| Movement | CVS410 SQLT |
| Power Reserve | 50 hours |
| Availability | Cafu model limtied to 50 pieces and the Breel Embolo reference limited to 52 |
| Price | $45,400.00 USD (exc VAT) |