The History of Yema Watches
Yema is a French watch brand with a rich history dating back to 1948. Yema timepieces are available in a wide variety of designs as the brand designed watches for diving, auto racing, sailing, and even space exploration.
Yema was founded by Henry Louis Belmont in Besançon, France in 1948. Belmont, a graduate of the National Watchmaking School of Besançon, aimed to create high-quality watches that could compete with Swiss matchmaking.
In the 1950s, Yema launched its first line of automatic watches, and in the 1960s, it expanded its range with the introduction of dive watches and chronographs.
One of the most well-known collections of the brand, the Yema Superman was introduced in 1963. It was designed for diving professionals and featured a novel locking bezel.
Expansion in the 1970s & 1980s
The 1970s saw Yema further cement its reputation in the sports watch market. The Yema Rallygraf, a watch designed for car racing enthusiasts, and the Yema Yachtingraf, tailored for sailing, were both significant releases.
In 1982, Yema also became the first French watch in space when astronaut Jean-Loup Chrétien wore a Yema watch during a Soviet space mission.
The Seiko Era (1988-2004)
Yema was acquired by the Japanese watch giant Seiko in 1988. This period saw a mix of French design and Japanese technology in its watches. Even though the company was under new ownership, Yema maintained a distinct brand identity.
Return to French Ownership in 2004
In 2004, Louis Eric Beckensteiner who was the general director of the company, acquired Yema from the Hattori-Seiko group to bring the brand back to its original positioning: watches made in France, focusing on French origins, design, and manufacturing.
Ownership in 2009 changed again: remaining under French control, the Ambre group acquired Yema. This marked a further return to its roots, with a focus on revisiting and reissuing classic models, such as the Superman and Rallygraf.
In recent years, Yema has continued to innovate while holding its heritage in the forefront of the vision. The brand has delved into limited edition models, collaborations, and has introduced new technologies in its watches. The brand’s commitment to quality and its rich heritage has allowed it to remain a respected name in the watch industry.
Throughout its history, Yema has balanced innovation with tradition, and has consistently produced watches that appeal to both watch enthusiasts and casual wearers. Despite facing competition from both Swiss and other international brands, Yema has maintained a unique place in the watchmaking world, thanks to its distinct French identity and commitment to quality craftsmanship.
Yema Watch Movements: What Movement Does Yema Use?
MBP 1000 Caliber
In 2011, Yema introduced an in-house watch movement named the MBP 1000, a 3-hand movement, featuring a unique design. It’s equipped with a bidirectional oscillating weight set on ball bearings, enabling swift winding and a 40-hour power reserve. This design not only enhances efficiency but also precision, thanks to a regulating mechanism where the balance oscillates at 28,800 beats per hour. The movement is a 31-jewel caliber (incorporates 31 rubies), with two rubies positioned at the barrel’s axis ends, reducing the typical friction observed in these mechanical parts. This innovative arrangement contributes to the movement’s enhanced performance and reliability.
Yema 2000 Caliber
The Yema 2000 caliber is the brand’s 2nd generation in-house movement, the MBP 1000 evolved into this new caliber. While most technical specifications remain the same, one notable difference is the number of jewels, the Yema 2000 has 29 jewels from 31.
Yema Brand Reputation
Yema has built a reputation for producing high-quality, reliable watches. Their designs typically blend traditional aesthetics with modern functionality, appealing to both watch enthusiasts and casual wearers.
The brand gained prominence in the mid-20th century, especially with its iconic dive watches like the Yema Superman and the Yema Rallye. These models are celebrated for their durability, precision, and unique design features, like the Superman’s lockable bezel.
In recent years, Yema has seen a resurgence in popularity, partly due to a revival of interest in vintage and retro-style watches. They have also garnered attention for their commitment to French manufacturing and craftsmanship, with some of their models featuring in-house movements.
Overall, Yema is considered a respected and reliable brand in the watchmaking industry, offering high-quality products at a relatively affordable price point.
Takeaway: Are Yema Watches Good Watches? Are They Worth the Money?
Yema is known for their innovation and craftsmanship, and is appreciated by collectors and everyday users alike for their blend of functionality, durability, and classic style. Yema watches are considered affordable, as their quartz pieces are in the $500 range, while their automatic watches are between $1,500 and $2,000. Their watches and movements are made in France and partly in Switzerland. If you are on a hunt for outstanding craftsmanship and timeless design, but want something that is slightly “off the beaten path” and more rare, Yema is an excellent option, with a wide variety of beautifully designed timepieces.
Buyer’s Guide: Yema Watch Collections
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Yema RALLYGRAF
Specs:
- Movement: Mechanical-Quartz
- Caliber: VK64
- Case Width: 39 mm
- Lug Distance: 20 mm
- Price: Under $500
The Yema Rallygraf is a beautiful vintage-inspired racing chronograph. The subdials’ rounded corners remind us of the dashboard of race cars from the ‘60s/’70s. The case is polished stainless steel, not brushed, an excellent choice to give a bit of a modern sheen to a retro look. The VK64 Seiko Mechanical-quartz movement is a reliable movement. The width of the case is 39 mm, a great size for most sizes.
Yema SUPERMAN
Specs:
- Movement: Quartz
- Caliber: Ronda 515 FE
- Case Width: 39 mm
- Lug Width: 19 mm
- Lug-to-lug: 48 mm
- Price: Around $500
We wanted to feature the revamped Superman Heritage Quartz watch that merges the enduring design of its predecessor with modern enhancements, offering a 200-meter water resistance and the traditional bezel lock system, ensuring safety during deep-sea dives. The stainless steel case has undergone a 3D makeover, drawing inspiration from the classic version, and is fine-tuned to accommodate the Ronda 515, a precise Swiss Quartz movement. Moreover, its curved acrylic glass adds to the watch’s neo-vintage charm.
Yema FLYGRAF
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: ETA Valjoux 7750
- Power reserve: 48 hours
- Case Width: 40 mm
- Lug Width: 20 mm
- Lug-to-lug: 49 mm
- Price: Around $2,500
The Flygraf has been revived as the Navigator, tailored for both aviation professionals and enthusiasts. The Flygraf Navigator brings back the hallmark elements of the original 1970’s model, including its distinct dial insert that outlines three sub-counters, a functional bezel enabling pilots to conduct essential flight calculations, and the renowned automatic chronograph movement, the ETA Valjoux 7750. This modern rendition of the Flygraf Navigator boasts a dial and bezel that shimmer with shades of blue. It features a new 40mm case paired with a fitted steel bracelet, and its indices are coated with Grade A Super-LumiNova to ensure superior visibility.
Yema NAVYGRAF
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Yema 3000
- Power reserve: 42 hours
- Case Width: 38.5 mm
- Lug Width: 19 mm
- Lug-to-lug: 46 mm
- Price: Around $1,500
The Navygraf FSM, powered by Yema’s in-house caliber YEMA2000, draws design cues from the iconic Navygraf Heritage and the mid-1970s Navygraf II. It has been crafted as a precision timekeeping tool specifically for military personnel serving on FOST’s (Strategic Oceanic Force) nuclear-powered submarines.
Yema SOUS MARINE
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Yema 2000
- Power reserve: 42 hours
- Case Width: 40.5 mm
- Lug Width: 20 mm
- Lug-to-lug: 46 mm
- Price: Around $1,000
Developed in partnership with their ambassador and professional diver, Jason Washington, the YEMA Sous Marine combines professional-grade technical features with a unique style. Featuring the in-house YEMA2000 caliber and boasting a water resistance of up to 300 meters, this new YEMA Sous Marine model presents a sturdy and compact case, designed to appeal to both enthusiasts and experts in marine exploration.
Yema URBAN TRAVELLER
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Yema 2000
- Power reserve: 42 hours
- Case Width: 39 mm
- Lug-to-lug: 43.5 mm
- Price: Around $1,000
The classic YEMA Urban Traveller, renowned for its integrated bracelet, makes a comeback in an elegant dress collection, showcasing a honeycomb dial in gentle summer hues, complemented by sleek steel applied markers and hands. Powered by Yema’s in-house caliber YEMA2000, this fresh Urban Traveller collection is crafted as a stylish and comfortable sports watch for daily wear.
Yema URBAN FIELD
Specs:
- Movement: Mechanical
- Caliber: Sellita SW210-1b
- Power reserve: 45 hours
- Case Width: 37.5 or 40 mm
- Price: Around $1,200
The latest YEMA Urban Field is conceived as a multifaceted and dependable watch, suitable for both utilitarian and formal occasions. It features Sellita’s SW210-1b hand-wound caliber in an enhanced Elaboré and decorated version, with the movement showcased through a sapphire crystal exhibition case-back. The watch boasts a military-inspired dial with a sandblasted finish, offering a blend of distinctiveness and sophistication.
WRITTEN BY
Maté D
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