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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Tactile wristwatch

Cyma tactile wristwatch

Partially verified

This tactile wristwatch, produced by Cyma, Switzerland, dates to the 1950s or 1960s. Designed for accessibility, the watch features a white dial with raised indices that allow the user to read the time by touch. The watch is constructed from polished Britannia metal and is fitted with a hinged, engraved cover that protects the dial while maintaining access to the hands. It is paired with a black plastic strap secured by a metal buckle. The exterior cover bears the inscription 'A Gift From A.R.C.S.' The watch was associated with the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind in Melbourne, Australia, where it was utilized between the 1950s and 1980s before being donated to the museum collection in 1993. The movement is signed with both the brand name and the Cymaflex trademark, confirming its Swiss origin and technical specification of the period.

Tactile wristwatch with a protective hinged cover, featuring a black strap and engraved dedication.
Tactile wristwatch with a protective hinged cover, featuring a black strap and engraved dedication. — Museums Victoria. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collections.museumsvictoria.com.au
Category
Wristwatch · Tactile wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Cyma
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
SH 931132
Source-reported date
circa 1950s-1960s
Source-reported place
Switzerland

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

Construction and Design

The watch is housed in a case manufactured from polished Britannia metal, a material chosen for its luster and durability. It features a functional hinged cover designed to protect the tactile dial from accidental damage while allowing the user to reveal the hands for reading. The dial itself is white and incorporates raised, tactile figures at each hour position, a characteristic feature of watches designed for the visually impaired to determine the time manually.

Gold-painted hands are mounted at the center, providing a contrast against the white dial background.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch, made of polished Britannia metal, has a cover which is engraved.”
  • “The white face of the watch has raised figures to show the position of the hour and the clock hands are gold-painted.”

Signatures and Markings

The watch includes specific markings that identify its origin and technical lineage. The dial is printed with the brand name 'Cyma' and the term 'Cymaflex,' the latter referring to a proprietary shock-absorption system developed by the manufacturer. Additionally, the dial bears the designation 'Swiss Made,' confirming its place of manufacture in Switzerland.

The external metal cover contains an engraved dedication, identifying the object as a gift. The inscription reads 'A Gift From A.R.C.S.,' documenting the item's historical context as a presented object. These marks collectively confirm the watch's provenance and manufacturer identity within the horological records of the period.

Evidence for this section
  • “Face of watch: Cyma/Cymaflex/Swiss Made.”
  • “Engraved on the cover: A Gift/From/A.R.C.S.”

Provenance and Use

The watch was acquired by the museum via a donation from the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind in 1993. Internal records indicate that the object was used in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, between the 1950s and the 1980s. Its primary function was as a tool to assist individuals with special needs, specifically those requiring tactile timekeeping interfaces.

While the exact identity of the person who originally used the watch remains unrecorded, the inscription suggests it was provided to an associate of the institute by an organization identified only as 'A.R.C.S.'

Evidence for this section
  • “Donation from Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind (RVIB), 21 Jul 1993”
  • “Association: type: Place Used, date: circa 1950s-1980s, locality: Melbourne”

Open research questions

  • What is the full name and function of the organization abbreviated as 'A.R.C.S.'?
  • What was the specific model movement used inside this watch?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Cyma tactile wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerCyma“Manufacturer, name: Cyma”
MaterialBritannia metal“The watch, made of polished Britannia metal”
InscriptionA Gift From A.R.C.S.“Engraved on the cover: A Gift/From/A.R.C.S.”
Dial FeaturesRaised hour figures“The white face of the watch has raised figures to show the position of the hour”
OriginSwitzerland“Switzerland, circa 1950s-1960s”
Acquisition Date21 July 1993“Donation from Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind (RVIB), 21 Jul 1993”

Visible details

  • Hinged metal cover with engraved text
  • Raised hour markers on the dial
  • Black plastic strap with metal buckle

Research qualifications

  • Identity of the 'A.R.C.S.' donor organization
  • Specific identity of the recipient associated with the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind

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

Consulted source

Wrist Watch - Cyma, Raised Figures, Switzerland, circa 1950s-1960s

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 8e71e16b93