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Cyma Divingstar, AutoRotor Date, Cross Hair Dial, circa 1960s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Cyma Divingstar, AutoRotor Date, Cross Hair Dial, circa 1960s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Cyma (maker)
Date
c. 1960s
Country of origin
Unrecorded in source
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
VWS3289
Credit line
Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (VWS3289)
Catalogue title (original)
Cyma - Divingstar - AutoRotor Date - Cross Hair Dial - c.1960s (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number VWS3289), this is a wristwatch by Cyma, dated c. 1960s. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist

A Very Collectable Vintage Cyma Diving Star Watch in Original Condition with a Cross-Hair Dia, c.1960s Cyma Watches, founded in 1862 by Joseph Schwob and his brother-in-law, Theodore Schwob, in the Swiss town of Tavannes, represents a storied legacy in horology. The name "Cyma" is derived from the French word "cime," meaning "peak," symbolizing the brand's aspiration for excellence. Early on, Cyma gained recognition for its precision and reliability, producing both pocket watches and wristwatches. By the early 20th century, Cyma had established itself as a leader in innovation with its introduction of automatic movements and shock-resistant designs. During World War II, Cyma supplied timepieces to military forces, further cementing its reputation for durability. Post-war expansion saw Cyma diversifying its collections to include elegant dress watches and robust sports models. Today, while maintaining traditional craftsmanship, Cyma embraces modern technology to continue offering high-quality timepieces that blend heritage with contemporary style. Their commitment to precision and innovation remains unwavering through generations. What's on Offer Engineered during an era when underwater exploration captivated public imagination, the Diving Star catered to professional divers and aquatic adventurers. Its watertight casing, rotating bezel for tracking dive times, and luminous hands made it indispensable under extreme conditions. This watch is a rare find and we are delighted to offer it for sale in such great vintage condition. The dial is rich black and boasts a cross-hair design detail. There is a date wheel at 3 o'clock and the hands still retain their original lume as do the hour plots. The bezel is in great shape too with stylish coin edging. The watch wears well on the wrist and has a substantial presence although it is comfortable. It is running well and keeping good time. These watches are beginning to gain traction as collector's pieces so we don't expect this one to stick around long, blink and you'll miss it!

Historical context

Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)

Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.

The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking

Atlas type guide

Automatic (self-winding) watches

Self-winding watches use the wearer's motion to wind the mainspring. Abraham-Louis Perrelet and Breguet made 'perpétuelle' pocket watches with oscillating weights in the late eighteenth century, but the principle only became practical in the wristwatch. John Harwood patented a bumper automatic in 1923; Rolex's Perpetual rotor (1931) winding in one direction, and later bidirectional rotors (Eterna, Felsa Bidynator), established the modern form. Micro-rotors (Universal Genève, Buren) and peripheral rotors made automatic watches thinner.

What to look for

  • A semicircular rotor turning 360° over the movement, or a 'bumper' weight that rebounds between springs.
  • 'Automatic', 'Perpetual' or 'Self-winding' on the dial.
  • A sealed screw-back case, since automatic watches are wound less often by the crown.

Dating clues

  • Bumper automatics: 1923–c. 1955.
  • Full rotors: from 1931 (Rolex); widespread after c. 1950.
  • Micro-rotors: from 1954–1958.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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