Art Deco Cyma Watch

Cyma   
Stainless steel   
ca. 1940   
Manual wind    
15 jewels   
Movement cal. 364  
Swiss made  
± 37/29 x 19 mm 

The dial is the kind of thing that makes you stop scrolling. That mirrored rectangular ring cuts across it beautifully, catching the light from every angle, only to be interrupted, quite rudely, but rather elegantly, by the small seconds at 6 o’clock. And then there’s the case. Brushed and matte on top, glossy along the sides, with a charming engraved/cast motif that gives it just the right amount of mischief. The original crown is a delight too: beautifully shaped, nicely grippy, and sitting snugly against the case as though it has nowhere else it would rather be. Turn the watch over, and things get properly interesting. Inside beats Cyma’s own tonneau-shaped, manual-winding lever escapement caliber 364, complete with small seconds, a bi-metallic compensation balance and Cymaflex shock protection. “Tonneau,” incidentally, is French for barrel, which sounds considerably more romantic than simply calling it barrel-shaped. The movement is finished with the sort of care you hope to find in a vintage watch: neatly beveled parts and elegant Geneva striping. In other words, it is not merely keeping time; it is making an effort.

As with every watch we sell, this one has been fully serviced by Frank Impens, better known as the watch “Guru”, with more than 35 years’ experience repairing and restoring mechanical watches. It comes with a one-year warranty. And once that year is up, we’ll still be here to help, because vintage watches, like old friends, occasionally need a little attention.