We present spectroscopic and photometric observations of the cataclysmic variable CW 1045+525 .
Both the optical spectrum and the photometric lightcurve show a strong contribution of a K5V – M0V secondary .
We derive an orbital period P _ { orb } = 0.271278 ( 1 ) d by measuring the radial velocities of the absorption lines of the secondary .
The period and spectral type of the secondary suggest a distance of 350 – 700 pc .
There is evidence for additional sources of line- and continuum emission , but no direct evidence of an accretion disc .
We discuss several scenarios for the nature of CW 1045+525 on the basis of our results , finding a dwarf nova classification the most probable , although not completely satisfying , explanation for the observed characteristics .