Mens 1915 CYMA Vintage MILITARY WW1 Trench Wrist Watch

CYMA WATCH Co.

UNIQUE AND RARE EXAMPLE OF TIMEPIECE
VERY BEAUTIFUL ANTIQUE WATCH CA 1915
VERY BEAUTIFUL MECHANICAL WORK

Here’s a very rare example of a mens WWI-Era Tavannes-Cyma Watch Co. military timepiece, that dates to ca 1915.

This is a smaller gent’s size timepiece, excellent for a men who doesn’t want a massive timepiece or for a ladies who wants a more rare and extraordinary vintage timepiece.

This watch is called a “Transitional" era watch as while the movement date to 1908, it was re-cased between 1916 and 1918 (when this case was known to be made) for use as a wristwatch, quite possibly by a soldier in WWI. This was quite common back then, as it became “fashionable” for men to wear wristwatches (and stop carrying pocket watches around) they would send a small pocket watch to the original factory or jeweler to be retrofitted. It is an important part of watch history and tells the story of the wristwatch as it grew in popularity during (and as a result) of WWI use by soldiers.

History of CYMA Watch Co.:

Cyma was set up by Frédéric Henri Sandoz. Sandoz , born in 1851, was usually just known as Henri Sandoz founded his first company in 1871 - Henri Sandoz & Cie which he left in 1891 to go to the town of Tavannes and set up the new venture which was to produce simple and complicated watches such as chronographs. Cyma had 40 staff and 55 modern machines and produced 40 watches a day, though at first only some of these had the Cyma name on them. About 1892 Cyma went into a cooperative agreement with Schwob Frères and Co. of La Chaux-de-Fonds (Tavannes-Cyma Watch Co. of which Henri was a director.)

By 1905 the 750 employees produced 450,000 watches and that became 750,000 by 950 employees in 1909 although some parts were brought in. During the 1st decade of the 20th century Sandoz continued to be awarded numerous patents. Sandoz, the founder of the company died in 1913. The company continued to grow and by 1938 they were producing 4000 items a day. Some time before the 1930’s the company name changed to Tavannes-Cyma, this may have happened when the cooperative agreement was signed. This name continued until 1966 when they ceased production and the rights to the Cyma name went to the company ‘Chronos Holding’. Other names the company used include:- Bijou Watch Co., Tacy Watch Co. SA, and Lisca SA. Bases around the globe, other that the town of Tavannes include:- La Chaux de Fonds, Le Locle, Geneve and Neuchatel as well as an agency in New York. Cyma watches are still available today.

The gorgeous, silver steel dial is in good condition. The new dial has been professionally updated, and now is in excellent condition.

It features a crisp 60 minute outer track, original blue steel Sword-style hands, Arabic numerals with RED 12 and a recessed sub-seconds dial with 60 second outer chapter and “sweep” original blue steel seconds hand.

Signed CYMA below the 12 marker.

The case is a three-piece that is in excellent condition.

The swivel lugs are in great condition while the winding crown is in very good shape and operates properly.

Turning this beauty over I note that the back lid is in great shape with no wear, dings or engravings, very nice.

Removing the lid reveals a beautiful nickel-finished 15 jewel movement. The movement maker is signed CYMA – SWISS MADE – 15 JEWELS – PATENTED – 21532.

This beautiful wristwatch has the original movement in an excellent status which was very well saved, considering age of this watch. Mechanism has been recently serviced to ensure it winds and sets smoothly while keeping great, accurate time.

It comes complete with a new 14mm brown high quality strap genuine leather with matching chrome steel buckle for a most excellent look.

Diameter (with crown):        39.50 mm
Diameter (without crown):   37.00 mm
Watch crystal diameter:      33.00 mm
Thickness:                          11.00 mm

This very fine watch winds and sets very smoothly while keeping very good, accurate time.