Cyma chronometer (1940s)

This is a rare chronometer-rated wristwatch made by Cyma. Although Cyma are no longer in business, they were a well respected manufacturer, producing a wide range of calibre including chronographs. The British Military used Cyma pocket and wrist-watches throughout the 20th century. Indeed this particular watch uses an upgraded version of the cal 234 that is found inside the Cyma WWW Dirty Dozen military watch.

This particular watch is chronometer rated, meaning it has passed a series of tests under controlled conditions These tests comprised setting the watch in various different positions. These positions varied from testing station to testing station, but at a minimum the watch was tested for 24 hours dial up, dial down, and crown up. The watch was also tested at different temperatures, again for 24 hour periods. If the daily rate of the watch did not exceed a set number of seconds (normally +6 to -4 seconds per day) during all these tests, then it received a certificate of accuracy and the manufacturer could identify it as a chronometer.

For some manufacturers, notably Rolex and Omega, submitting chronometers for testing was a core part of their business. However for a manufacturer like Cyma, the time and expense (plus the uncertainty of the outcome) meant that they submitted watches for testing rather rarely. Chronometer rated watches would be retailed for a significant premium on a run of the mill watch, so they were dependent on finding an educated clientele who would pay for this accuracy.

This particular watch is a very handsome example, the dial has developed a patina commensurate with it's age, but this doesn't detract from the elegant layout of the dial and the slightly flamboyant 'chronometre' script! The case is stainless steel and a good size at 35mm diameter, excluding the winding crown. The calibre 234 movement is beautifully finished and in excellent condition.

Dating the watch is not really possible as serial number records no longer exist, but the number is fairly close to serial of the movements found in the WWW Military watches, which were manufactured in 1945. So I think safe to put it to somewhere in the mid to late 1940s

The watch has been fully serviced and is performing excellently. Although not quite at chronometer standard, it is still superbly accurate for a time piece that is 70 years old.

Case diameter: 34mm
Case material: Stainless steel
Strap width: 18mm
time keeping: grade A