Cyma tactile wristwatch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1950s-1960s
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.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Tactile wristwatch
- Maker
- Cyma
- Origin
- Switzerland
- Material
- Britannia metal
- Inscription
- A Gift From A.R.C.S.
- Dial Features
- Raised hour figures
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Acquisition Date
- 21 July 1993
- Maker / attribution
- Cyma
Design
- Visible features
- • Hinged metal cover with engraved text • Raised hour markers on the dial • Black plastic strap with metal buckle
- 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.'
- 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.
- 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.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Identity of the 'A.R.C.S.' donor organization
- Research required: Specific identity of the recipient associated with the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind