Yema Baignoire Tiger Eye Finish Dial

Yema, founded in 1948 in Besançon, France, is a brand that has a rich history dating back to 1948. The brand was founded by Henry Louis Belmont, a watchmaker who organized a school competition to find a name that sounded as Greek as possible and wasn't yet taken. Over the next two decades, Yema became the largest French watch exporter of its time, bringing with it a significant collection of independent timepieces. Yema can fall back on genuine vintage models from the company's history, which can be a tangible asset compared to other brands that resort to design tricks from the retro toolbox.

Yema's dynamic ownership changed in 1982 with the sale to the industrial group Matra, which created a watch division called Matra Horlogerie. In 1987, the watch division was absorbed into the Seiko Group as CGH (Compagnie Générale Horlogère). In 2004, the then CEO of CGH took over Yema from the Seiko Group, and in 2009, Yema changed ownership again to Groupe Ambre.

Yema's iconic models include the Superman, Rallygraf, Yachtingraf, and Wristmaster. The Superman is one of Yema's most iconic timepieces, with its modern remake being one of the brand's bestsellers. The original Superman was introduced in 1963 and had a unique design typical of its time. The modern-day Superman collection features various models with water resistance of up to 300 meters and varying proportions of domestic work.

The Rallygraf and Yachtingraf are two iconic models introduced in 1966, both of which still grace the brand's collection today. The Yachtingraf joined the Yema catalog the same year as the Rallygraf, featuring a modified minute counter that made it possible to track the ten-minute countdown before a regatta. The Wristmaster is also worth mentioning, as it serves as a template for the modern interpretation of the ubiquitous stainless steel sports watch with integrated bracelet.