Data check: Friedrich 23 Cubano 8 at a glance
The Friedrich 23 Cubano 8 is a watch case from the brand Friedrich|23 and carries the model designation 27022-8. It is aimed at collectors who want to store up to eight watches in a high-quality genuine leather container that offers more presence than a plain plastic box. Important to know up front, and quite honestly: it is pure storage and expressly not a watch winder, so the case does not keep an automatic watch moving. In this data check we put the manufacturer's claims into sober context and show who the leather solution is worthwhile for.
The body is made of genuine leather in a vintage look and, in the version linked here, is finished in grey. Inside, eight watch cushions hold the individual watches, each measuring around five by eight by three centimetres, while the case itself measures about 29 by 19 by 9.5 centimetres. In the middle sits a central compartment that holds tools, spare straps or papers, keeping the accessories right with the collection. Over everything lies a glass lid as a viewing window, the lock is lockable, and some versions of the series additionally offer soft-close and a cable opening.
Whether your watch needs storage like this at all or rather movement depends on the watch type: quartz watches and rarely worn automatic watches are perfectly well kept in a case, whereas frequently used automatic movements benefit from a winder instead. If you change the straps anyway when swapping watches, our guide on changing a watch strap will help you. For the Friedrich 23 Cubano 8 the verdict is clear: it scores as a premium organising solution with a central compartment, not as technology for winding.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 8 watches, eight watch cushions |
| Type | Watch case, not a watch winder |
| Material | Genuine leather, vintage look, grey |
| Central compartment | for tools, straps or papers |
| Lid | Glass lid as viewing window |
| Closure | lockable |
| Case dimensions | approx. 29 x 19 x 9.5 cm |
| Cushion dimensions | approx. 5 x 8 x 3 cm |
| Model | 27022-8 |
| Editorial rating | 4.3 out of 5 |
Friedrich 23 Cubano 8 (27022-8)
- Eight watch cushions plus central compartment for tools, straps or papers
- Genuine leather body in a vintage look, develops a patina over time
- Glass lid as a viewing window and lockable, series partly with soft-close and cable eyelet
- Pure storage without winder function, leather costs a premium over functionally equivalent wooden boxes
Strengths and weaknesses in detail
The greatest strength of the Friedrich 23 Cubano 8 is its high-quality genuine leather look and feel. While many boxes in this size class rely on faux leather or plastic, this one uses a body of genuine leather in a vintage look that develops a patina over time and gains character as a result. For collectors who care about feel and appearance, that is a noticeable difference. This very choice of material, combined with the well-thought-out interior, was the reason for our high rating.
In practice, what stands out most is the central compartment in the middle of the case. Instead of storing tools, spare straps and papers separately, you have them right next to the collection, which noticeably tidies up everyday life around the watches. The glass lid shows the eight watches as a viewing window, and the lockable clasp keeps curious hands away. In the versions with soft-close and cable eyelet, you can also conveniently charge a smartwatch without awkwardly routing the cable out.
The most honest weakness is the price: genuine leather costs a premium over functionally equivalent wooden boxes that do the same job of keeping things organised. The extra cost goes into material, feel and patina, not into additional capacity or technology. If you only care about function, our overview of watch boxes has cheaper alternatives that store just as neatly. If, on the other hand, you are after the leather look, the premium is money well spent.
Another point concerns the dimensions of the cushions. At roughly five by eight by three centimetres per cushion, the case is designed for common watches, but you should check very large dive watches against these figures beforehand. That way you make sure the case and bezel sit cleanly on the cushion without touching the glass lid. For a mixed collection with mostly normal case sizes, this point is not critical, but with large watches a quick look at the dimensions is worthwhile.
Leather, central compartment and glass lid in detail
The genuine leather is the defining feature of the Cubano 8 and sets it apart from the many faux leather boxes on the market. The vintage look in grey appears understated and mature, and because real leather works with age, an individual patina develops over the years. This ageing process is explicitly desirable with leather and turns every case into a one-off over time. If you like this development, our category of leather watch boxes has more models with comparable character.
The central compartment sets the Cubano 8 apart functionally from pure cushion boxes. It holds tools such as a spring bar tool, spare straps, or papers and certificates, making the case a small command centre for the collection. Anyone who changes straps regularly will appreciate having everything needed in one place. Combined with the cable eyelet of some versions, the compartment can even be used for the charging cable of a smartwatch.
Finally, the glass lid makes the case a real eye-catcher on the shelf or chest of drawers. You see your eight watches at a glance without opening the lid, while keeping the collection protected from dust. The lockable clasp guards against curious hands in everyday life, but does not replace a watch safe against burglary. For orderly, visible storage with an upscale look, the combination of leather, central compartment and glass lid is nevertheless very harmonious.
Who is the Friedrich 23 Cubano 8 suited to?
The Friedrich 23 Cubano 8 is the right choice for collectors who want to store up to eight watches in a high-quality genuine leather case while keeping accessories close at hand in the central compartment. It suits people in particular who care about feel and appearance and who appreciate the patina of real leather. Anyone looking for a glass lid, a lockable clasp and a practical central compartment in one coherent package is in the right place here.
The case makes less sense if all you want is the cheapest storage solution. In that case a simple wooden box does the same job at a lower price, without the leather premium. Anyone who prefers a box with a presenting clasp system should also take a look at the Heisse und Söhne Executive 10, which shows the watches standing upright.
Just as important is the distinction from a watch winder: if you wear an automatic watch almost daily anyway, your wrist keeps it wound by itself, and a plain case is entirely sufficient. If, on the other hand, you want to keep a rarely worn automatic permanently ready to run, you cannot avoid an additional winder. For orderly everyday use with a mixed collection and high standards, the Cubano 8 remains a very convincing recommendation.
Alternatives compared
An obvious alternative from the same maker is the Friedrich Dynasty watch roll for travel. It holds only three watches instead of eight, but is designed as a leather travel accessory and is much more compact if you want to take your watches with you on trips. The comparison is worthwhile for anyone weighing stationary storage at home against a portable solution for the suitcase. For daily organisation at home, the Cubano 8 remains the higher-capacity choice.
If you do not need the leather look and would rather save money, our category of watch boxes has functionally equivalent wooden boxes at a lower price. A full overview of all our individual reviews is also collected in the review hub, so you can conveniently compare leather, wood and faux leather side by side. That way you can quickly find out whether the patina and central compartment of the Cubano 8 are worth the premium to you.
When comparing, it is important not to confuse the purpose: a box or case organises and protects, a winder keeps watches moving, a safe protects against theft. The Friedrich 23 Cubano 8 fulfils the first task in a particularly high-quality way and adds a practical central compartment. In doing so, it does not promise more than it can deliver, and this very honesty shapes all of our buying advice.
Editorial verdict
The Friedrich 23 Cubano 8 is a high-quality genuine leather watch case for eight watches with a well-thought-out central compartment. The body of genuine leather in a vintage look develops a patina, the glass lid serves as a lockable viewing window, and individual versions offer soft-close and a cable eyelet for the smartwatch. You have to accept the premium over functionally equivalent wooden boxes, but in return you get storage with character. For its purpose and its look and feel, our editorial team awards 4.3 out of 5 points.
You can find more models from the same manufacturer collected on our brand page for Friedrich 23. There we classify the whole range and show which of the brand's devices suits which collection. The brand overview gives an overview of all manufacturers.
The text of this page was created with an AI language model and was reviewed and approved editorially before publication. Editorial responsibility lies with Seydhan Cakmak. The product images shown are not AI images but manufacturer and retailer photos from the Amazon catalogue, which we embed unchanged.
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