Cyma calibre 414 movement review

Tavannes watch co/Cyma had gone upmarket in the late 1930’s. Their movements were considerably refined and in league with best Swiss manufactures. Around 1940 they launched a new standard movement: calibre 414. It was available both as a sub second version and sweep second it stayed in production until the mid 1950’s when it was eventually phased out for the calibre 454. 

Family/generations:

414 Sub seconds 
413 Sweep seconds 

suffix K, Ka: refer to shock device. 

Cyma calibre: 413-414

  • Made from aprox 1940-1955
  • Made in Switzerland
  • Power reserve around: 48h
  • 15 Jewels 
  • 18000 B/A
  • Lift angle 52
  • DM 23.7mm
  • H 3.9mm-4.1mm

Gear train bridges has a very high quality Cote’d’Geneve decoration with beveled edges. The screws have an excellent finish. Ratchet and crown wheel are superbly decorated. Upper jewels (only) held in chatons. 

Top surface finish on bridges: 9 Points

Surface finish on screws: 10 Points

Surface finish on ratchet and crown wheel: 8 Points

Movement Jeweling: 6 Points

Movement design innovation (1940):  6 points

The Cyma base plate is nicely finished. Very nice setting and winding mechanism with a fully machined Yoke spring. Fair gear train finish. 

Base plate finish: 7 Points

Setting and winding mechanism: 8 Points

Gear-train finish: 8 Points

Movement durability: 8 Points 

Early shock protection was later replaced with Cyma-Flex shock protection.

+3 bonus points. 

The beautifully made click spring that is secured by a screw is worth: 2 Bonus points. Such an elegant design. 

I always appreciate a guard disk for the crown wheel. 

The Cyma has decent accuracy.  

Accuracy: 8 points 

Power reserve of 48 hours is very good.

Power reserve: 8 points 

Cyma 414 points summary: 

Surface finish on bridges and top side of base plate: 9

Surface finish screws: 10

Surface finish on ratchet and ratchet wheel: 8

Movement Jeweling: 6

Movement innovative design for ca 1940: 6

Base plate finish: 7

Setting and winding mechanism: 8

Gear-train finish: 8

Movement durability: 8

Total bonus points: 5

Accuracy: 8

Power reserve: 8

Grand total: 91