Mens Military Cyma TAVANNES WWI Wire Lug Porcelain Dial 1920s Trench Watch
Item History & Price
The Cyma Watch Co. of Switzerland, along with its parent firm Tavannes, is one of my favorite Swiss firms, lesser known than Omega, Rolex or Longines but always producing a high quality product. The company was founded in 1891 in the town of Tavannes (its namesake) by Frederic Henri Sandoz . Prior to Tavannes-Cyma (abbreviated as ‘TACY’), Sandoz had established Henri Sandoz & Cie in 1871. By 1913 they employed 1, 000 workers and turne dout 2, 500 watches a day. The factory alone qu...adrupled the population of the town of Tavannes. In 1914 the company won a Grand Prize at the Swiss National Exhibition in Berne, a huge achievement. I am pleased to offer for sale the following timepiece from Cyma - Tavannes, a solid wire lug, model that dates to the late 1920s but is in the style of WWI military officer watches. This triple-signed watch is in excellent, original shape – complete with a MINT, untouched porcelain enamel dial with RED 12. Its three-piece, hinged-back stainless steel case measures 38mm wire lug tip to wire lug tip and 32mm in width (33.5mm with original winding crown). In inches this works out to be 1-1/2” in total length and 1-1/4” in width, not including the crown. It appears larger in person given its narrow bezel framing. My watchmaker David has fully serviced its original, manual wind Cyma mechanism to ensure it winds and sets smoothly while keeping accurate time. The 100% original porcelain enamel dial is in flawless condition, guaranteed untouched and perfect. It features a 60 minute outer track border, black Breguet-style numerals (including a RED 12), original blue steel Breguet-style, moon-tip hands and a slightly recessed seconds dial with 60 second outer chapter and ‘sweep’ original blue steel hand. Signed CYMA below the 12. The acrylic crystal is excellent, a new addition. The three-piece, hinged-back solid stainless steel case (an early example) is signed for the Tavannes Watch Co. (a stylized TWCo. monogram of overlaying letters) and is in pristine shape. Its solid wire lugs easily accommodate a period correct 12mm Kitchener-style strap, as is fitted on the watch now. The original winding crown is in excellent order, winding and setting smoothly. Turning the watch over I note that the back lid is in excellent shape with no marks or engravings. Inside is a clean, manual wind, lever escapement movement, signed CYMA – TWCO. with caliber number 370 below the balance wheel. The TWCO. monogram is for the Tavannes Watch Co. This is a 6 jewel, 2 adjustment mechanism. The inside of the case lid is stamped TWCO. as well, just like on the mechanism. Fully disassembled, cleaned, oiled and regulated this watch winds and sets very smoothly and keeps accurate time. It comes fitted with a period correct Kitchener-style Trench Watch strap – able to fit a wrist up to 7-3/4 inches. A nicely preserved, original, military officers dial watch with a timeless design – I’ll never grow tired of the WWI military officer watch look!Watch sizes: I provide exact case measurements in millimeters (the watch industry standard) and inches, and include a U.S. quarter in one photo as a size reference. Draw the measurements on a piece of paper to help visualize the watch on your wrist. Remember, men’s vintage watches are noticeably smaller than oversized timepieces you see today. Prefer a brown strap instead of black? For most men’s watches I can switch the color before mailing; just let me know. U.S. winners pay $9.75 for fully insured, safely boxed USPS shipping with door-to-door tracking. Washington State residents (and those with shipping addresses in Washington State) are required to pay 9% sales tax. Canadian winners pay $35.00 (actual cost) for Global Priority Express with insurance. Other international buyers pay $52.00 (actual or below cost) for Global Priority Express Mail with door-to-door tracking. I cover any additional insurance fees and always pay MORE for shipping than what I charge.International buyers: Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are your responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to confirm any additional costs prior to bidding. I ship within 24 hours of receiving cleared payment, but your local custom authorities can cause delays.Payment is due within three days of auction end, unless you have contacted me prior to auction end to arrange otherwise. In accordance with eBay policy, payments not received in four days will initiate an unpaid item case through the Resolution Center.All of my watches are under warranty. In the rare event that a watch needs further service upon receipt, return the wristwatch to me (or mail it to my watchmaker, David, in New York City) at my expense. It will be corrected and quickly mailed back to you. Note: I will not pay for or offer a partial refund for work done by another watchmaker. I am a proud member of the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors (NAWCC). If you like unique and collectible vintage or antique wristwatches, add me as one of your favorite sellers. I specialize in American and Swiss timepieces from the 1900s to 1970s. My selection changes weekly, and is comprised of manual wind and automatic watches from the following categories: WWI trench; WWII; military; fancy case, art nouveau; art deco; mid-century modern; stainless steel; sterling silver; white, yellow and rose gold; solid gold; platinum; and diamond, ruby and/or sapphire ladies cocktail watches. Need accessories for your watch? Our sister store, Holben's Fine Watch Bands, offers an extensive selection of sport, military and dress straps, buckles, deployment clasps and other wristwatch accessories from European and American manufacturers.
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