Cyma mechanical alarm Clock 50's/60's - Any Info?

[DonMI6]

Following on from my post featuring my dad's Cyma watch in the vintage watch forum, I recently found this Cyma alarm clock, my Dad's presumably.

I know nothing about it but I assume he must have bought it in the 1950's or early 60's. I would love to show some pictures of the movement, I can't figure out how to take the back off!

I'm really looking for some approximate dates of manufacture & any other info (includung how to get at the movement).

Thanks in advance.

[Cheezhead]

Your Cyma alarm clock appears to be of high quality. I know nothing else about it but will suggest a hint for disassembly from what I see and know.

Remove the winder by turning it backward as would be expected. I suspect that the knobs for the time and alarm hands can be pulled off as they can with a German Blessing alarm clock in my small collection. That can be done with a needle nose pliers and a protective piece of cardboard or thick paper to keep from scarring the back (the bell?) of the clock but do support the clock at the back as best you can with your free hand if you attempt this while holding the clock over a soft surface such as a bed so the glass does not break if/when you drop the clock. Then you will have access to the two screws near the time adjustment knob. If there is more to the puzzle, I don't see it.

[John MS]

Hi. Cyma is well known for the quality watches and clocks made for much of the 20th century. That's a really attractive alarm clock with what I would call art-deco-like styling. I would date it to the 1950's. It uses an 11 jewel spring powered balance wheel movement that is certainly a cut above the normal alarm clock movement. If you plan on using it have the movement cleaned and reoiled.

[DonMI6]

Thanks for the replies, the back came off just as you suggested!
Now that i've done it, I have no idea what i'm looking at. Any info on the movement would be greatly appreciate.

Thanks, Don.

[John MS]

Well, it is as we thought - a well made spring powered balance wheel timed alarm clock. It uses synthetic ruby jewels as bearings in the escapement and on two wheels. I note that the escapement does not appear to have have shock absorbing jewel settings so be careful to not drop it. Does it run? If so how accurate is it?

Chances are it needs to be cleaned and reoiled. That's not a difficult job but it does require the right tools and some knowlege of working around small mechanisms to complete without doing any damage. Many of those older jeweled alarm clocks were simply run until the oil was dried up the the escapement ended up damaged. Yours looks like it was taken care of.

[DonMI6]

... Does it run? If so how accurate is it?... Many of those older jeweled alarm clocks were simply run until the oil was dried up the the escapement ended up damaged. Yours looks like it was taken care of.

It does run, but as it's been sitting in a drawer unused, since the '70's, I haven't really dared to test it too much until it's been serviced. The Cyma watch I posted in the Vintage forum is at the watchmakers as we speak being cleaned, i'll take this in for him to look at when the watch is finished!

[John MS]

It does run, but as it's been sitting in a drawer unused, since the '70's, I haven't really dared to test it too much until it's been serviced. The Cyma watch I posted in the Vintage forum is at the watchmakers as we speak being cleaned, i'll take this in for him to look at when the watch is finished!

Good, I think you are taking the right approach. I completely missed the thread on the Cyma wristwatch. That's a lovely heirloom and should be ready for another 60 years of timekeeping once the watchmaker finishes with it. I updated that thread with a couple of shots of my one and only Cyma.

Be sure to post an update on the clock.

[DonMI6]

Well, the clock is back from the clockmaker, so I thought I'd post a quick update.

It has been cleaned, oiled & a couple of jewels replaced. I'm off on a short trip this week so I'll take it with me & see how it goes.

Forgive me for posting a photo of a pair of binoculars in the Clock Forum, but as they are branded CYMA & I believe of the same vintage, I thought somebody might be interested!

[John MS]

Well, the clock is back from the clockmaker, so I thought I'd post a quick update.

It has been cleaned, oiled & a couple of jewels replaced. I'm off on a short trip this week so I'll take it with me & see how it goes.

Forgive me for posting a photo of a pair of binoculars in the Clock Forum, but as they are branded CYMA & I believe of the same vintage, I thought somebody might be interested!

A very belated reply. Congratulations, you will get many years of service from that good looking travel clock. Interesting pair of bins. They look like 1950's vintage zeiss style and are probably comparable to glasses from Agfa, Voigtlander, Swarovski, etc. of the same age. Are they 10x50?

[Wikicollecting]

Fascinating stuff, thanks for posting