Yema (watch)

Yema is a French watchmaking company based in Besançon, France. They claim that their watches "stand out from the rest by virtue of their specific design and technological characteristics".

Founded in 1948 in Besançon (Doubs) by Henry Louis Belmont, the company distinguished itself in the very beginning by creating the first automatic chronometers manufactured entirely in France, and became famous for the technical qualities and sports characteristics of its watches.

The evolution of the brand is punctuated by highlights:

  • The anti-shock watch in the 50's;
  • The Yema Superman waterproof to 300 meters in 1963;
  • The Yema Rallygraf equipped with a tachometer for car enthusiasts in 1968;
  • The Yema Spationaute first French watch to fly in the outer space with Jean-Loup Chretien in 1982;
  • The Yema North Pole which accompanied Nicolas Hulot and Hubert de Chevigny in the exploit of the North Pole in 1987.

The brand pays tribute to the top athletes with its slogan "Yema the Time of Heroes" and its collections are designed around three concepts: iconic watches, high technicality, elegant and sporty design.

In 1966, 1967 and 1968 Yema becomes the leading exporter of French watches with more than 500,000 watches sold every year across 50 countries.

In 1982 Henry Louis Belmont's son sells the brand to Matra (Groupe Lagardère) which in partnership with Thomson takes control of Yema. At that time the brand produced 2 million watches per year.

Having been owned by Seiko Watch Corporation of Japan since 1988, Yema returns to French hands in 2004 through a buyout by Louis Eric Beckensteiner.

In 2009 Yema is acquired by the French watchmaker group Montres Ambre based in Morteau.

1948 - Henry Louis Belmont

Henry Louis Belmont, watchmaker of tradition and pioneer of automation in the manufacture and construction of watchmaking, student of the National Watchmaking School of Besançon and major of his promotion in 1931, created 1948 his own watchmaking company under the name Yema.

The story goes that the name of the brand was born of the imagination of a teenager in a contest organized by Henry Louis Belmont himself. Without knowing it, the student imagined a name that would become synonymous with watches of excellence in the French way.

Henry Louis Belmont, French watchmaker founder of Yema, 1948
Henry Louis Belmont, French watchmaker founder of Yema, 1948

1963 - Yema Superman collection

In 1963 Yema launches the very first Yema Superman, a watch initially developed for diving professionals (thanks to its tightness of 300 meters and Patent "Patent Pending") and equipped with a brake stop of security (or Bloque Bezel) which gives it a distinctive and unique appearance. Considered indestructible, the Yema Superman was at the time chosen by the French Air Force to equip its pilots.

Many variations were then produced by Yema for this iconic model of French manufacture in order to reach a wider audience, as for example the famous 53.00.16 and its black dial or the 24.11.17 with its blue Iridescent dial and its second hand "Pelle".

1966 - Yema Yachtingraf collection

In 1966, the first Yema Yachtingraf is launched, a watch especially designed for the sailing passionates. This automatic chronograph (Valjoux movement), waterproof to 200 meters, was very popular among French yachting amateurs in the 60's and the 70's.

Start of 1970 Yema became official supplier of the French Sailing Federation (Fédération Française de Yachting à Voile) and equipped the French National team who participated to 1972 Olympic Games.

Six different versions of Yema Yachtingraf model were crafted over the years.

1966 - Yema RallyGraf collection

The first Yema Rallygraf model was also born in 1966, a watch appreciated by car racing amateurs. One of these chronographs was worn by Formula One Champion Mario Andretti.

1982 - First French Watch in Space

On June 24, 1982, for the first time a French astronaut, Jean-Loup Chrétien, flew from the Baikonour base for a 10-day trip into space. On his wrist he wears the very first French watch to leave for the space: the Yema Spationaute I.

On June 17, 1985, the Discovery shuttle took off with Patrick Baudry and his Yema Spationaute II on mission STS-51G (First Franco-American Orbital Flight).

On November 26, 1988, Jean Loup Chrétien goes on a mission to MIR Space Station wering a Yema Spationaute III.

Yema Spacegraf 1982

1986 - North Pole Mission

In May 1986, Yema joined forces with French physician and explorator Jean-Louis Etienne to cross the North Pole. The Yema North Pole watch, created especially for the occasion, accompanied the adventurer during his 800 km solo trip to the North Pole. Very resistant to cold thanks to its titanium case, this model also had a system avoiding the magnetic north. The four cardinal points were determined according to the position of the sun, with the local sun's time as a reference point.

The following year, the Yema Odyssée watch equipped Nicolas Hulot and Hubert de Chevigny expedition to the North Pole in ultralight aircraft.

2009 - Innovative watch movement

After 4 years of research & development, Yema designs a new proprietary watch movement: the MBP 1000. Equipped with a bidirectional oscillating mass mounted on ball bearings, they allow a fast reassembly and a power reserve of 40 hours. This resulted in a gain of efficiency but also precision, provided by a regulator whose balance beats at a frequency of 28,800 alternations per hour. Stacking a total of 31 rubies including 2 located at the ends of the axis of the barrel, this technical design effectively reduces the friction generally observed at this element following the mechanical movements.

2017 - Proxima Mission

The mission on which the 10th French astronaut went into the space was called Proxima, in tribute to the nearest star of our sun, which perpetuates the French tradition of baptising the missions of astronauts by the name of a star or a constellation. In 2017, Yema and CNES (the French Space Agency) worked once again together to create a brand new model in honour of this new space mission, the Yema Spacegraf.

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