Last Updated on April 15, 2021 by swisswatchreview
While there are many well-known high-end watches on the market, there’s one lesser-known, high-end brand that, according to watch aficionados, stands above the rest. Kind of like a secret, if you will, among the watch world. That brand is Yema.
Yema was the brainchild of French watchmaker Henry Lois Belmont. A pioneer in the industry, Belmont graduated from the National Watchmaking School of Besancon in 1931 at the top of his class and decided to launch his own company in 1948, which he dubbed “Yema”. According to legend, Henry Lois Belmont organized a school contest for teenagers to suggest names for his company, and one of the teenagers came up with the name “Yema.” This impressed the watchmaker, and the rest is history. From then on, Belmont began making some of the highest quality state-of-the-art watches. Today, more than 70 years later, Yema remains one of the most trusted names in the industry.
Yema has produced a collection of some of very interesting watches ranging from quartz watches, automatics and even led watches. Some of the models are fitted with Yema in house self winding mechanical movement. Some Yemas were used in the French space program. One was worn by Jean-Loup Chrétien during the French-Russian mission PVH, Soyouz T-6. The Yema Spacegraf Zero line commemorate this with space inspired chronographs that are powered with Epson YM90A quartz movement. France’s Space Agency (CNES) logo is engraved on the caseback. It can be interesting for space watch collectors to own a West European moonwatch. Some limited edition Yema models are made in cooparation with the French Airforce (Yema Superman French Air Force Limited Edition) Made in tough military standard and with the French Air Force national insignia on both the dial and crown.
Whether you’re an avid collector of watches yourself and you’re looking for a new brand to add to your collection, or you want to impress someone special in your life with a premium-quality vintage looking wristwatch, read on to learn more about the Yema collection.
Yema Superman
In 1963, Yema introduced their first and perhaps one of the most impressive watches that has ever been produced – something that still stands today. Originally developed for diving professionals, the Superman is waterproof up to a depth of 300 meters and features a safety bezel-lock (or a safety lock). These are the two features that set it apart from the crowd and immediately made it a popular choice among swimmers and watch-lovers who prefer to stay on dry land. Today, the Superman is just as popular as it was when it first came onto the scene almost six decades ago. Said to be indestructible, the Superman was the watch that the French Air Force chose to equip their pilots with.
Since it first came onto the scene in 1963, the Yema Superman has undergone some upgrades. However, those upgrades have mainly been grounded in aesthetic and it still offers the same impressive features that made it so popular back then and today. What really set the Superman apart from the crowd of waterproof watches is the bezel locking system. Back when it was first made, the vast majority of diving watches would only rotate anti-clockwise, and the same is true today. The purpose of this is because if the bezel inadvertently moved during a dive, the wearer would mistakenly think that they had less time on their watch instead of more. While this safety feature is certainly smart and highly effective, Yema decided to further enhance the design by equipping it with an advanced one-of-a-kind bezel locking system. This design of this system is quite simple yet extremely effective. It features a small metal clamp that is positioned on the bezel and is secured to the watch via the stem of its crown. When the crown is attached to the case of the watch, this clamp is tightened onto the bezel. The result? The bezel has absolutely no chance of moving. This feature was advanced in 1963, and it was so smart, successful, and well-received that the Superman watches of today are still outfitted with this unique bezel locking system.
There are three renditions of the modern-day Superman: the Max Dial Blue, the Heritage and the US Edition. While the features that each rendition offers vary, all are available in two sizes – 39 mm and 41 mm. There are different watch bands to choose from such as a stainless steel bracelet, a tropic dive band and a vintage brown leather band. It is also outfitted with Yema’s new in-house Caliber YEMA2000, a brushed steel, circular rotating bezel that features marks at 5-minute intervals and a luminous triangular-shaped mark at the 12 spot. The double-domed sapphire crystal measures 2.60 mm thick and lends itself to the vintage design. It also features the famed shovel-shaped second hand, the same shape that has been used on other Superman models. The hands on all of the Heritage versions are treated with Swiss Super-LumiNova so then you can easily tell the time in low lighting conditions. The hands, markers, and triangular zero-marker on the Max Dial are treated with Superluminova BGW9, a luminous coating that allows for precise readings in the dark. The caseback on the Heritage US Edition is made of 316L and it is embossed with Yema’s historic crest. All versions of the Superman are water-resistant up to 990 feet. The price of the Superman range from $999 USD to $1,199 USD.
Yema LED
Back in the 1970s, the first Yema LED display watch was introduced. Today, the manufacturer has reissued a model that pays tribute to the original model which was launched during the historic quartz crisis time period. This was when the watchmaking industry was literally flipped upside-down and began manufacturing daring designs complete with non-mechanical movements that were visually pleasing, cost effective, durable and reliable. The reissuing of the Yema LED flawlessly encapsulates a retro yet futuristic style that is both functional and stylish.
The modern-day rendition of the Yema LED is designed to remain in standby mode. This is meant to reduce battery use. The display only illuminates when the wearer pushes the button that is situated along the side of the case of the watch. Press the button a second time and the date will be displayed on the face of the watch. Press the button a third time and the seconds will be displayed. This unique feature is just one of the elements that makes the Yema LED so beloved. When the LED display is activated, the watch offers a retro-futuristic display. This is a real surprise factor that analog watches don’t offer. The LED display features light-emitting diodes and it’s this technology that contributes to the standout retro-futuristic design that makes this watch so visually appealing. You’ll be able to check the time in total style.
The brushed/side polished stainless steel case features a 3D redesign based on the original design from the 1970s. The screw-down case back is constructed of stainless steel and displays an embossed historic Yema crest while also enabling the watch to make a descent up to 330 feet deep. It is guaranteed water-resistant. The watch face is attached to a brushed steel bracelet which further lends itself to the distinctive retro-futuristic style. Thanks to the sliding clasp, the size of the bracelet is easy to adjust and it can fit on any wearer’s wrist.
The Yema LED watch measures 37.5 mm in diameter, 10.5 mm thick and has a 20 mm lug. The case is made of 316L stainless steel with a brushed/polished finish and it is comprised of mineral crystal. The Yema LED is available in both silver and gold, and it is one of the most affordable options that the manufacturer makes. The price tag of the Silver is $249 USD and the price tag of the Gold is $279.
Yema Navygraf Heritage
One of the most simplistic designs from Yema is their Navygraf Heritage. This is a tribute to the original Navygraf that was initially released in the early 1970s. It features the mythical markers that are shaped to look like exclamation marks, the same as the original model. While other features are similar to the original, there are some upgrades to the Navygraf Heritage. The original model, for example, was waterproof up to 200 meters. The new and improved model has a water resistance of 300 meters, allowing it to meet the requirements of modern-day amateur and pro swimmers and divers. The 39 mm case of the Navygraf Heritage has been totally updated and redesigned. It’s made of 316L brushed-steel, and the iconic design is instantly recognizable as soon as you look at it. The vibrant yellow hands of the watch, as well as the indexes, have been treated with Super-LumiNova, making it easy to tell the time both in bright and low-light settings.
The Navygraf Heritage is outfitted with the second-generation in-house Caliber YEMA2000. This is powered by optimized components that delivers peak performance with a +/- 10 s/d daily rate and a power reserve of 42h. With a scratch-resistant sapphire glass bezel and a black insert and matt white plating, the watch mirrors the glossy translation of the previous bakelit resin bezel. The 39 mm brushed case is integrated with crown guards and 316 L brushed effect stainless steel. A screw-down crown is engraved with Yema’s vintage Y logo. The watch face is attached to an anti-corrosion 316L stainless steel band that features a secure lock and comes complete with a diver’s extension. This means that you’ll be able to easily adjust it over your diving suit. If you prefer, you can choose either a Tropic Dive or Brown Leather Vintage band. The price of the former two bands is $690 USD, while the price of the stainless steel band is $749 USD.
