Thanks to some good luck that involved being in the right place at the right time more than anything else, I was able to snag an invite to lunch at the Grand Havana Room this afternoon in honor of Hublot's new collaboration piece with Arturo Fuente cigars.
First off, it should be known that I'm a cigar-smoker of opportunity -- i.e. if someone gives me one, I'll smoke it -- so I'm far from being an aficionado, or anything. That said, it seems that quite a few die-hard watch collectors are also die-hard cigar smokers, so I can certainly see where the association comes from.
Anyway, for those who don't know, the Grand Havana Room is a private club for cigar smokers that operates in New York City, Beverly Hills and Moscow and is invite-only, so this was a great opportunity to peel back the veil and see how the well-heeled cigar smoker lives in a city like mine, while simultaneously indulging my passion for watches.
The club itself is on the 39th floor of a hi-rise overlooking 5th Avenue and is decorated almost exactly as you would expect (think lots of overstuffed chairs and sofas). It's hushed and smells like expensive tobacco, and the staff is always ready with a cigar or a light. For the event, we had a private dining room where we were treated to a three-course lunch followed by an interview with Carlos Fuente, Jr., the president of the cigar company that bears his family's name.
That special guest I alluded to earlier? Paula Zahn, who apparently is a bit of a cigar aficionado. Who knew?
(Paula doing her thing)
(Senor Fuente)
The King Power Arturo Fuente is available in gold in a limited series of 100pcs and ceramic in a limited series of 200pcs. Each watch comes with a custom carbon fiber and wood combination humidor and watch case:
Some more pics for you:
(a bit heavy for lunch on a Monday, but I'll take it)
(a couple of the guests doing their thing at our table)
(Bita's Tutti-Frutti -- she's one of the boutique managers, a friend and an all-around great person)
(a guest's gold/ceramic King Power)
My takeaway? The watches are impressive in person (trust me, my iPhone pics do not do them justice), but even if I didn't care for them, I still would've come away from the event with a greater appreciation for cigars, and in particular, Arturo Fuentes. Most of Ms. Zahn's interview centered around the Fuente's organizations' philanthropic efforts, and it was pretty clear that Carlos, Jr. was thoroughly invested in giving back to a community that gave so much to his family. I had an opportunity to speak with him after the lunch was over, and it only served to reinforce my respect for the man.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go out and buy some cigars. Right after I smoke this one, that is:
- craniotes