We have here a classic 1950s 9ct gold wristwatch from Cyma, a company we have always appreciated and respected. We particularly love the dial, which has a nice even patina to it and gives no doubt to its originality. A mix of gilt Arabic numerals and arrow markers sit inside the outer-minute track. The gilt hour and minute Dauphine hands have aged lume and are set with a black steel centre seconds hand.
The 34mm, 9ct solid gold case has elegant, Bombe-style lugs. Inside is the mechanical manual wind in house Cyma caliber R.495 with Cymaflex shock absorber, fully serviced by us and running strongly. We've paired the watch on a brown crocodile grain strap, but it looks great dressed up on black too. The watch comes with its original box, something that is very rare for a watch of this age.
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.
This watch comes fully serviced by our on-site workshop and with a 12 month, non-waterproof service cover.
What we think
A comfortable fit on the wrist and a lovely piece of 1950s watch history. This watch could easily be a Rolex, Omega or Longines model and in our opinion as good in quality. The perfect watch for him or her and great as an everyday or dress watch. A must have in any collection with great patina to the dial and complete with its original box!
Spec Stuff
Reference : Cymaflex
Movement : Manual Wind Cyma Caliber R.495 Age : 1951/1960 Specific Age : 1954 Case Size : 33mm Case Thickness : Lug to Lug : Lugs :17mm Condition : Pre-Owned Box & Papers : Box Only Case Material : Solid English Hallmarked 9ct Gold Service History : Our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
1954 Cyma Cymaflex Wristwatch Bombe Style Lugs and Mixed Arabic and Arrow Batons in Solid 9ct Gold with Original Box
