Cyma
Tavannes, Switzerland · Fondée en 1862
Fondée par Joseph Schwob
Cyma était une manufacture horlogère suisse fondée en 1862 à Tavannes, connue pour ses mouvements de qualité et ses montres-bracelets des années 1920-50. La marque a fourni des montres militaires aux forces armées britanniques pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale et survit aujourd'hui dans quelques marchés asiatiques.
- Fondée en
- 1862
- Siège social
- Tavannes, Switzerland
- Groupe
- Swatch Group
- Segment de prix
- Milieu de gamme
- Statut
- Disparue
Cessation: 1995
Cyma a décliné en Europe lors de la crise du quartz mais s'est maintenue dans certains marchés asiatiques, où la marque est encore commercialisée avec des mouvements sources variées.
Cyma mesurait le temps des soldats britanniques dans les déserts d'Afrique du Nord — avant que le marché asiatique ne devînt son dernier bastion.
Collections phares
- Navy Star — Montre militaire Cyma produite pour les forces armées britanniques pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale, l'une des douze marques sélectionnées pour fournir le modèle W.W.W. (Wrist Watch Waterproof).
- Triplex — A distinctive model featuring a triple-sealed case construction developed in the 1930s, offering exceptional water and dust resistance for its era.
- Watersport — A durable sports watch collection designed for active use, emphasising reliability and water resistance in a more accessible format.
- Cymaflex — A line featuring Cyma's proprietary shock-protection system, introduced in the post-war period to improve movement durability in everyday wear.
Chronologie
- 1862 — Fondation de la manufacture Cyma à Tavannes, en Suisse.
- 1891 — The company formally registers the Cyma trademark, derived from the Greek word for wave, reflecting aspirations toward precision and fluidity.
- 1930 — Cyma develops the Triplex case system, establishing the brand's reputation for water-resistant timepieces.
- 1966 — Cyma becomes part of SSIH (Société Suisse pour l'Industrie Horlogère), joining Omega and Tissot in the Swiss watch conglomerate.
- 1983 — SSIH merges with ASUAG to form SMH (later Swatch Group), and Cyma begins a period of reduced investment and market presence.
- 1995 — Cyma is discontinued by the Swatch Group as the conglomerate consolidates its brand portfolio.
Questions fréquentes sur Cyma
- Les montres militaires Cyma de la Seconde Guerre mondiale sont-elles collectionnables ?
- Oui, les montres militaires Cyma produites pour les forces armées britanniques (notamment les modèles W.W.W. — Wrist Watch Waterproof) sont très appréciées des collectionneurs de montres militaires britanniques vintage.
- Are Cyma watches still valuable?
- Vintage Cyma watches, particularly military-issued pieces and Navy Star diving models from the 1950s and 1960s, remain collectible and can command respectable prices among enthusiasts of mid-century Swiss horology.
- Can I still buy a Cyma watch today?
- New Cyma watches are not available, as the brand has been dormant since 1995. However, vintage examples regularly appear through specialist dealers, auction houses, and online marketplaces.
- Was Cyma associated with military watches?
- Yes, Cyma supplied watches to various military forces during the mid-twentieth century, including models for the British Armed Forces, which contributed to the brand's reputation for robustness and reliability.
- What is the relationship between Cyma and Tavannes?
- Cyma originated from the Tavannes Watch Co., with 'Cyma' registered as a trademark in 1891. The two names were used interchangeably at times, though Cyma became the primary commercial identity.