A truly unique and exceptionally rare solid 9ct gold full hunter pocket watch, purpose-built with a tactile dial for the blind or visually impaired, featuring a high-grade, jewelled-to-the-centre Cyma Tavannes movement.
This magnificent solid 9ct yellow gold full hunter pocket watch is not merely a timepiece; it is a bespoke, highly specialised instrument of exceptional quality, dating to the early 1930s.
The heavy, beautifully polished 9ct gold case opens to reveal the watch's most compelling feature: a specially designed Braille (Tactile) dial.
Tactile Design: The dial features raised indices (often dots or bumps) at the hour positions, allowing the time to be read by touch.
No Glass: The watch is designed with no glass over the dial, allowing direct access for the user's fingers to feel the time.
Thick Hands: It is fitted with extra-thick, robust gold hands that are designed to withstand regular contact without being easily bent or displaced, a crucial functional requirement.
Pendant at 12: The dial is oriented with the 12 o'clock position at the pendant/crown, which is the traditional and most convenient position for a blind user to orient the watch when opening the cover and reading the time by touch.
The watch is powered by a high-quality Swiss-made Cyma Tavannes movement, jewelled to the centre wheel, confirming its high-grade manufacture. Cyma Tavannes was a renowned manufacture (a company that produced its own movements), ensuring superior quality and finish. The fully-signed movement is a mark of reliability and precision.
A piece of horological history, this pocket watch combines high-end luxury with compassionate, bespoke design.
Extra Points
Cyma was founded in 1862 by the brother’s Joseph Schwob and Theodore Schwob, in the town of Le Locle Switzerland. In 1871, Henri Sandoz established Sandoz & Cie in Le Locle. Sandoz moved to Tavannes in 1891, just north of Biel where he manufactured highly desirable repeaters and chronographs. Sandoz soon saw the potential of Cyma forming a business relationship with the Schwob brothers and Cyma was officially registered in 1903.
During the 1940’s Britain's Military of Defence (MOD) needed watches to be issued to the Army during World War II. Rather than relying on one watch manufacturer, they invited many Swiss brands to build a watch to a tight specification. Out of those submitted 12 brands were chosen: Buren, Cyma, Eterna, Grana, Jaeger Le-Coultre, Lemania, Longines, IWC, Omega, Record, Timor and Vertex. This is where the name “Dirty Dozen “ derives from. They were delivered by 1945 which was the closing period of the war, therefore many of these watches never actually saw action. Cyma produced an estimated 20,000 watches.
In 1943, Cyma unveiled its first automatic wristwatch, endowed with a 420 calibre featuring a unidirectional rotor. In 1966 the company was bought by the ASUAG Chronos Holding and production continued under their Synchron group in 1968. Cyma became a sister company to Doxa and Ernest Borel throughout the 1970s. The company is currently owned by Stelux International Ltd, a Hong Kong holding firm that invests in jewellery and watches.
What We Think
In our 50 years of collecting and restoring antique timepieces here in London, we have genuinely never encountered a Braille pocket watch of this exceptional quality in a solid 9ct gold full hunter case.
Most surviving Braille watches from this era were made in base metal or gold-plated cases, built purely as functional tools. This watch, however, elevates the design to the level of luxury, suggesting it was a highly bespoke piece, custom-made on request for a wealthy client.
The design of the hands and the raised, almost 'technical' look of the open dial also gives it a fascinating, early "Steampunk" aesthetic. It is purely functional, yet the exposed mechanics and bold, industrial-style hands have a striking, almost conceptual visual appeal.
This is more than a rare watch; it is a fascinating document of compassionate engineering and the high standards of bespoke luxury watchmaking in the 1930s. The full hunter case provides an essential layer of protection for the dial and hands, making the use of the watch safer and more discreet. A truly special, functional, and historically significant addition to any collection.
Spec Stuff
Reference : 660418
Movement : cyma Tavannes Swiss Lever Hi grade Age :1931/1940 Specific Age : 1938 Birmingham hallmark Case Size : 50mm Case Thickness :17mm Weight Approx : TBC Grams Condition :Preowned Box & Papers :No - Chain sold separately Case Material :Solid 9ct Gold Hallmarked Service History :Serviced 24-Months Mechanical Warranty
1930 Solid 9ct Gold Braille Full Hunter Pocket Watch -piece unique Cyma Tavannes Movement
