I have an interest in timepieces and whilst I have purchased new watches from retailers, I research manufacturers and specific models. With the notable exception of an Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch which I will one day purchase new, I now have an interest in vintage timepieces to add to my collection, so now I have a vintage timepiece to add to my collection.

A work colleague learned of my watch collecting and brought in a box of fake watches he purchased in Malaysia and Indonesia when on holiday. Whilst I offered my new collection of fake Rolex to my friends, I found a CYMA Synchron Conquistador in the bag of fake watches. I found out from Rod that this was the property of his late father, I decided to get this timepiece with some personal significance working again. First, I needed some history on CYMA as I had no knowledge of this manufacturer but I do know they don’t have much of a presence in Australia anymore.

Much to my surprise I found the business has a history dating back to 1891 and CYMA are still active in the larger watch market of Hong Kong. That was somewhat of a surprise as I had thought this was one of the small watch manufacturers that didn’t survive past the quartz movement revolution that claimed so many other Swiss watch manufacturers. So I had myself a gold case CYMA Synchron Conquistador timepiece that looked very 1970s that has cost me nothing, I had a budget that I needed to maintain but I really wanted a vintage timepiece for more formal occasions.

The band was missing so my choice was to be a black leather band to compliment the gold case, I have enough bracelet style watches so a leather band is a nice edition. As is the trend, current watchmaking is increasing case diameter and case thickness leads to larger chunky timepieces, this vintage timepiece is the opposite.

The dial is a light sunburst gold with the date window located at the six o’clock position, there are no numerals with just hourly index – I like it. The watchmaker informed me the movement was pretty much found in all these timepieces in the display case as he waved his arms around. I enquired if this is an ETA 2824 movement and he nodded his head.

He then informed me he had spent 40 years working on these and had a handy collection of spare parts. This was required as he was going to get my non-working automatic movement going again for a budget price using second hand parts. The crown was damaged so I would have a non standard generic crown as it had been struck by a hard object – probably a hammer. The stem was damaged and further components such as gears were required.

I was looking at a six week wait and I wasn’t concerned as I had overspent already on other projects being undertaken and needed all of that time and maybe some more. That being said, I still made a 50% payment and I hoped they took as long as they needed. All in all, I will be in this for less than $450 by the time I purchase a black leather strap – I’m reasonably happy.