Cyma are a Swiss manufacturer of watches, which were founded in 1862 by brothers Joseph and Theodore Schwob, with the name translating to Summit.
A low production company of about 40 watches per day until in 1882, the brothers partnered with Frederic Henri Sandoz. They became the Cyma Watch Company and built a factory in La Chaux-de-Fonds and Cyma was officially registered in 1903. Sandoz was also involved with Tavannes from 1891, helping to combine the two companies to share resources. Using modern manufacturing processes, the brands were able to produce high quality watches, trademarked as Tavannes, Cyma and Cyma Tavannes. These processes allowed Tavannes/Cyma to develop into one of the largest watch manufacturers by 1910.
The focus on standardisation of part manufacture, combined with the quest for precision and reliability, define the Cyma/Tavannes venture like few other watch companies. They were very much pioneers of such methods and quality. This quest resulted in creations like the Cymaflex patent shock proofing. Cyma was also proprietors of diving watches and made this a hallmark of their offering with the Diving star watch.
The Diving Star 2-3353-6
Very little is known about this model, with a handful of examples having appeared for sale. The model seems to date from the late 1950s and was a trailblazing dive watch for the company, with the reference being very similar to the Zenith S.58 from 1958. It was later followed by more traditional divers’ watches with bezel under the Diving Star name in the 1960s.
The diver landscape was very different around this time, with the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms being released in 1953, the Submariner in 1954 and later the Omega Seamaster 300 in 1957. The blueprint had not yet been fully designed and the Diving Star was very much a response to a market demanding watches built to use. Cyma, as was often their way, met this demand in their own unique manner. This is what leads us to have such a good looking and simple watch.
This example:
The case is Stainless Steel and measures 35.5mm x 35.5mm with a lug-to-lug measurement of 42.5mm. It is both well-proportioned and neat at this size. The bezel has a flat face and polished finish, with a subtly notched design. The middle of the sides of the case stick out gently adding texture to the case, coming back up towards the lugs to form a neat lip against the side of the bezel. The lugs are well proportioned, sturdy yet not too robust. They have a subtle taper to aid the fit of the watch to the wrist, whilst they have a bevel separating the top and the side. The lugs also taper in gently to fit the circular design of the case. To the right of the case is the thick original crown with a strong coin edge finish and Cyma signing. To the rear of the case is the Stainless screw back which has a polished finish.
The black dial is completely original and is both elegant and clear. It’s a balanced design and very reminiscent of the Rolex Explorer dial design and layout.
The dark tone means there is no distraction from the clear luminous hands and hour markers. Whilst the inclusion of gold tone signing is a luxurious touch. The outer second/minute track has simple dashes, with pumkin tone lume plots to the base of the hour markers. The hour markers are a gold tone and have been in-filled with Radium lume which is perfectly aged. The mixture of baton markers and Arabic 12, 3, 6, 9, creates a beautifully balanced dial. The Cyma Diving Star signing is good and clear, as well as the Cymaflex. The luminous Pencil style hour/minute hand and the tapered central second hand are original. The lume in-fill is original Radium and has aged to an even pumpkin tone.
Inside is a metal movement cover for added protection, which is removed to reveal the Cyma calibre R446. It is a high-grade manual wind movement, with 17 jewels and Cymaflex shock protection, which was patented in 1939.
The movement is in good condition and is keeping excellent time at +20 seconds a day.
An early and all original diver watch of a unique design, that is little known about, from a highly accomplished watch brand. This is an ideal statement watch which would be at home within even the most discerning collectors arsenal.
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Dial:
The dial is in good original condition. The black base tone is good and even, with some light speckled patina to the centre. The outer minute/second dashes are white, with lume plots to the base of the hour markers. The Arabic and baton markers are a gold tone and have aged Radium lume in-fill. The dial is signing is good and clear in a gold tone.
Hands:
The luminous Pencil style hour and minute hand are original, in silver tone with some slight corrosion to the finish. The tapered central second hand is also original with matched corrosion. The lume in-fill is original Radium and has aged to an even pumpkin tone.
Glass:
The acrylic crystal is original and has some light marks.
Crown:
The Stainless crown is original with Cyma logo and is large for easy winding.
Case:
The case is Stainless Steel and is in good original and un-polished condition. The flat polished bezel, the sides and the lugs are all good with light surface scratching and light nicks associated with light wear considering it is a diver.
Caseback:
The screw back is Stainless Steel and is in good condition for the age. It has light surface scratching. There are some deeper markers on one edge.
Strap:
The watch comes on single piece leather strap.
Movement:
The movement is a Cyma R446. A high-grade manual wind movement from Cyma, with 17 jewels and Cymaflex shock protection.
The movement is in good condition and is keeping excellent time. It has not been serviced by ourselves as it was not seen as necessary. It’s keeping time to +20 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 292 degrees and a beat error of 1.3m/s.
Case dimensions:
Case width: 35.5mm
Case width with crown: 38.5mm
Case length: 35.5mm
Case length lug to lug: 42.5mm
Case Depth: 13mm
Lug width: 18mm