Two New Watches From Yema: an All Purpose Tool Watch Inspired by Aviation, and a Superman Diver a Fun Dial Design

Yema has dropped two new watches: one a fun and funky retro diver in their Superman line, and the other a new aviation themed watch, the Flygraf Pilot. Both of the new watches are typical of Yema in that they are replete with vintage cues, offer plenty of bang for buck, and exist as part of a heritage of well made and diverse sports watches. Let’s take a closer look at these new releases.

Yema Flygraf Pilot

• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Dial: Black. gray
• Dimensions: 39mm
• Crystal: Sapphire        
• Water Resistance: 300 meters
• Crown: Screw down                        
• Movement: MBP1000
• Strap/bracelet: Leather or canvas
• Price: $690
• Reference Number: n/a
• Expected Release: July 6

Yema Superman 63

• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Dial: Black
• Dimensions: 39mm, 41mm
• Crystal: Sapphire        
• Water Resistance: 300 meters
• Crown: Screw down                        
• Movement: Sellita SW200
• Strap/bracelet: Stainless steel bracelet, leather, Tropic rubber
• Price: $1,049 – $1,199
• Reference Number: n/a
• Expected Release: July 6 

We’ll start with the Flygraf Pilot. Yema’s Flygraf collection has been at the center of their aviation watches for years. The brand began making watches geared toward pilots in the late 1940s, and has partnered with the French National Center for Space Studies (CNES) since 1982. The new Flygraf Pilot marks the beginning of a new chapter in Yema’s aviation history: 2020 marks a return to partnering with the French Air Force, and the brand has taken on a new ambassador, aerobatic pilot Samy Mason. The new watch is a collaboration between Mason and Yema. 

The Flygraf Pilot has a simple layout that will make sense to anyone familiar with pilot’s watches. Large arabic numerals circle the outside of the dial, with a 24 hour scale on an inner register, marked by concentric circles. Where the Flygraf Pilot differs a bit from some other watches in this genre is the case. The prominent crown guards and wide brushed bezel give this watch a more substantial look than many other pilot’s watches. Accordingly, it’s also 300 meters water resistant, which beats many divers. Looking at the specs, even though the dial is clearly inspired by aviation watches of the past, this is really much more of a general purpose tool watch (which of course has an application in flight scenarios). At 39mm, the case should be easily wearable by many, with the brushed finishing further aiding in making this watch appear sleek on the wrist. The Flygraf Pilot is available with both gray and black dial options, which have been designated as “M1″ and M2,” respectively. 

If water is more your speed than air, the new Superman 63 might be the more appealing of these new Yema releases. Based on the Superman line of divers, this new variant includes the locking bezel that watch lovers have come to closely associate with the brand’s dive watches, but with dial elements that have been altered to pay tribute to the very first Superman, made in – you guessed it – 1963. The very obvious and notable change here is the use of highly stylized Arabic numerals at 6:00, 9:00, and 12:00. The playful typeface reminds me of the original Oris Divers 65, another popular vintage throwback diver. Now Yema has put their own unique twist on the concept of a fun diver that recalls the early days of recreational diving.

The two watches are comparable specced. The Flygrafs use Yema’s MBP1000 movement, while the Superman is powered by a Sellita SW200, and the diver, like the pilot’s watch, is water resistant to 300 meters. Unlike the pilot’s watch, however, the Superman 63 is available in two case sizes: 41 and 39mm. These new watches are scheduled to be released on July 6, with the Flygraf Pilot retailing for $690, and the Superman 63 starting at $1049. Yema