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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Art deco wristwatch

Cyma Art Deco wristwatch, caliber 038

Partially verified

This is a vintage manual-wind Art Deco wristwatch by Cyma, dated by the source to the early 1930s. The watch is powered by a 15-jewel Swiss-made Cyma/Tacy Watch Co. caliber 038 movement with two adjustments and a sub-seconds display. The square case measures 27.4 mm by 27.4 mm with a 35.6 mm lug-to-lug length, featuring a hinged inner case module stamped on the back for the Star Watch Case Company under serial number 7070360. The silver dial features Art Deco Arabic numerals, a square minute track, skeletonized hands, and a square subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.

Cyma Art Deco square wristwatch shown in open hinged case position
Cyma Art Deco square wristwatch shown in open hinged case position — SECOND HAND HOROLOGY. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.secondhandhorology.com
Category
Wristwatch · Art deco wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Cyma
Reference
038
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA-1968
Source-reported date
early 1930s
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
7070360

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case Architecture and Mounting

The timepiece features a square case measuring 27.4 mm by 27.4 mm, with an overall lug-to-lug dimension of 35.6 mm, a case thickness of 9 mm, and a lug width of 19 mm. Visible observation shows that the square inner watch module hinges upwards from an open outer frame fixed to the strap.

According to source documentation, the case back is inscribed "Watch Star Case Company Stellar 7070360". The watch is presented fitted with a replacement two-tone black-and-white two-piece leather strap described as new old stock.

Evidence for this section
  • “Square inner watch module hinges upwards from an open outer frame fixed to the strap.”
  • “Case Back Signed: Watch Star Case Company Stellar 7070360”
  • “Case 27.4 x 27.4 Case Lug to Lug 35.6 Case Thickness 9 Lug Width 19 Band Width 19”
  • “This watch is coming with a new old stock two-tone (black and white) two-pieces leather strap.”

Dial Configuration and Hands

The watch features a square silver-toned dial in an Art Deco style, displaying blocky Arabic numeral hour markers and perimeter minute marks. Below the 12 o'clock position, the dial is signed "CYMA", with a subsidiary seconds track positioned at 6 o'clock.

The dial is paired with matching skeletonized luminous-style hands. The seller notes that the dial "seems to be the original," though this condition assessment remains tentative and unverified by independent forensic examination.

Evidence for this section
  • “Off-white or light silver square dial signed CYMA below 12 o'clock.”
  • “Luminous-style skeletonized hands and blocky Arabic numeral hour markers.”
  • “Square subsidiary seconds track positioned at 6 o'clock.”
  • “After +90 years, it still has a very unique silver dial (it seems to be the original) with an art deco style.”

Movement and Technical Data

The internal mechanism is not visible in the provided photo, but seller documentation records a Swiss manual-wind movement designated as Cyma caliber 038. It is described as having 15 jewels, two adjustments, and driving a sub-seconds display.

The source transcribes the movement engraving as "CYMA Tacy Watch Co. U.S. PAT. 237709 15 Jewels REF. 038 SWISS", indicating production associated with the Tacy Watch Co.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement: CYMA Tacy Watch Co. U.S. PAT. 237709 15 Jewels REF. 038 SWISS”
  • “It is a manual wind watch with Cyma movement reference (caliber) 038, two adjs., 15 jewels, sub second, Swiss made.”

Open research questions

  • What specific horological feature or mechanism is claimed under U.S. Patent 237709 as marked on the movement bridge?
  • Was the Star Watch Case Company case provided originally upon export to the U.S. market, or does it represent a later recasing?
  • Does the dial retain original radium luminous compound, or has it been restored or stabilized?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Cyma Art Deco wristwatch, caliber 038
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement markingCYMA Tacy Watch Co. U.S. PAT. 237709 15 Jewels REF. 038 SWISS“CYMA Tacy Watch Co. U.S. PAT. 237709 15 Jewels REF. 038 SWISS”
Case back markingWatch Star Case Company Stellar 7070360“Watch Star Case Company Stellar 7070360”
Case measurements27.4 x 27.4 mm, 35.6 mm lug to lug“Case 27.4 x 27.4 Case Lug to Lug 35.6”
Movement jewels and features15 jewels, two adjustments, sub second“two adjs., 15 jewels, sub second, Swiss made”

Visible details

  • Square inner watch module hinges upwards from an open outer frame fixed to the strap.
  • Off-white or light silver square dial signed CYMA below 12 o'clock.
  • Luminous-style skeletonized hands and blocky Arabic numeral hour markers.
  • Square subsidiary seconds track positioned at 6 o'clock.
  • Fitted with a black leather strap featuring a central white stripe.

Research qualifications

  • Dial originality is noted by the seller as tentative ('it seems to be the original').
  • Movement caliber and internal case markings are reported by the source seller and not directly visible in the image.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

1930's CYMA Art Deco Wristwatch 15 Jewels Ref. 038 Swiss Made – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 1e02c5bc77

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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