Enjoy Watches

Brand history & owner guide

Cyma / Tavannes

Tavannes' official history documents a Swiss watchmaking lineage in which the Cyma name became closely associated with Tavannes before later brand changes. 1

A legacy-brand history guide, not an authentication, valuation or production-date guide.

At a glance

Tavannes origin
1891 1
Cyma link
Trademark registered in 1904 1
Cyma company era
1930 1
Research priority
Exact brand wording, reference and era 1

Browse Cyma / Tavannes watches →

Selected reference records

98 documented configurations from 96 model names. These records are a selection, not the full Cyma / Tavannes catalogue.

Browse 98 recorded Cyma / Tavannes configurations →

Tavannes begins in 1891

Tavannes Watch Co says Henri-Frédéric Sandoz founded the company in Tavannes in 1891. Its official chronology also records a 1895 Swiss Trade Register entry.

This broad history does not date an individual watch. 1

Cyma appears as a linked trademark

Tavannes' chronology says it registered the Cyma Tavannes Watch Co trademark in 1904. This explains why Cyma and Tavannes identities can appear together in historical research.

Dial wording alone does not settle a watch's era or originality. 1

The Cyma Watch Company is a later event

The official Tavannes history dates the founding of the Cyma Watch Company to 1930. It also says Cyma branding was increasingly used for retail of Tavannes watches in 1943.

Keep these dates separate from the 1891 Tavannes origin. 1

Waterproof history needs model care

Tavannes' chronology discusses a 1917 waterproof-wristwatch claim and later wristwatch developments. Such historical claims do not establish present water resistance for a vintage watch.

Condition and service remain object-specific questions. 1

Later ownership changes matter

The official chronology records Tavannes and Cyma within later group structures and says the Tavannes brand was taken over by the Niculescu family in 2008. This makes era identification essential.

Do not project a later brand identity onto every earlier watch. 1

Keep conclusions source-bounded

Official Tavannes material supports the 1891 origin, 1904 Cyma trademark, 1930 Cyma Watch Company and later transitions. It does not authenticate a watch or establish value.

Use serial, reference and physical evidence for consequential decisions. 1

Independent research update

Cyma brand registered January 3, 1903 by Tavannes Watch Co. for modern watch movements.

Tavannes Watch Co. founded September 25, 1895 with capital from Schwob Frères and Joseph/Théodore Schwöb families.

Production ceased 1966 when Chronos Holding acquired both brands.

Tavannes brand revived 2008, located in the town of Tavannes. 234

Key dates

  1. 1891

    Tavannes founding

    Tavannes dates the company founding to 1891. 1

  2. 1904

    Cyma trademark

    Tavannes dates the Cyma Tavannes trademark registration to 1904. 1

  3. 1930

    Cyma Watch Company

    Tavannes dates Cyma Watch Company founding to 1930. 1

  4. 2008

    Tavannes revival era

    Tavannes dates its brand takeover by the Niculescu family to 2008. 1

  5. 1895

    Tavannes Watch Co. formal founding

    September 25, 1895 as joint-stock company with Schwob families 3

  6. 1903

    Cyma brand registration

    January 3, 1903 by Tavannes Watch Co. 2

  7. 1966

    Production cessation

    October 13, 1966 Chronos Holding acquisition 4

  8. 2008

    Tavannes brand revival

    Tavannes brand resurrected 2

Ownership and continuity

The official Tavannes chronology links a 1891 company origin to the 1904 Cyma trademark, 1930 Cyma Watch Company and later Tavannes revival context. 1

Identification and service

For an individual watch, record the complete reference, serial, dial, case, and movement markings and compare them with dated primary documentation.

A brand history cannot authenticate, appraise, or establish the provenance of a particular watch.

Evidence and limits

How the claims are supported
  1. source stated claim

    Tavannes Watch Co states that Henri-Frédéric Sandoz founded the company in Tavannes in 1891 and records its 1895 Trade Register entry.

  2. source stated claim

    Tavannes Watch Co states that it registered the Cyma Tavannes Watch Co trademark in 1904.

  3. source stated claim

    Tavannes Watch Co dates the founding of the Cyma Watch Company to 1930 and says Cyma branding was increasingly used for retail in 1943.

  4. source stated claim

    Tavannes Watch Co's chronology describes a 1917 waterproof-wristwatch development.

  5. source stated claim

    Tavannes Watch Co states that its brand was taken over by the Niculescu family in 2008.

  6. verified observation

    Cyma brand registered January 3, 1903 by Tavannes Watch Co. for modern watch movements.

  7. verified observation

    Tavannes Watch Co. founded September 25, 1895 with capital from Schwob Frères and Joseph/Théodore Schwöb families.

  8. verified observation

    Production ceased 1966 when Chronos Holding acquired both brands.

  9. verified observation

    Tavannes brand revived 2008, located in the town of Tavannes.

Known limits

  • This guide does not authenticate a watch or establish market value.
  • Legacy brand history does not replace exact-reference evidence.
  • Historical records fragmented between multiple ownership entities and transitions
  • Modern Tavannes operations (post-2008) require separate investigation
  • Cyma brand current status and ownership requires clarification

Direct sources

  1. 135 Years HistoryTavannes Watch Co · official history · accessed September 12, 2026

    Locator: Official chronology for Tavannes and linked Cyma eras. First-party source; its statements remain attributed.

  2. Tavannes Watch - Grail Watch WikiGrail Watch Wiki · reference · accessed September 12, 2026

    Locator: Complete history section. External source.

  3. Tavannes Watch Co., Schwöb Frères and CymaVintage Watch Straps · specialist · accessed September 12, 2026

    Locator: Company formation and ownership section. External source.

  4. Cyma [Watch Wiki]Watch Wiki · reference · accessed September 12, 2026

    Locator: Production cessation and ownership section. External source.

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