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INDEPENDENT WATCH MANUFACTURE SINCE 1948
YEMA is an independent, family-run watch manufacturer that has existed since 1948. As an official partner of the French Air Force and the French Navy, YEMA designs professional tool watches for the military, astronauts, athletes and explorers.
THE STORY
1948 - The Founder
Henry-Louis Belmont
YEMA was founded in 1948 by traditional watchmaker Henry-Louis Belmont, who graduated at the top of his class in 1931 at the National Watchmaking School of Besançon. His specialty was the development and manufacture of extremely powerful tool watches
The slogan
Time of Heroes
The features for extreme outdoor activities were very impressive:From diving to car racing to military expeditions. Everything was possible. To this day, YEMA watches are associated with extraordinary men who achieved peak performance under extreme conditions. Later, the motto “Time of Heroes” became YEMA’s official slogan.
1950s - Real Innovation
caliber LORSA 237 B
In 1951, Belmont equipped most YEMA watches with one of the first automatic calibers - the LORSA 237 B - which he later renamed YEMA 231 A. In 1953, YEMA was one of the first brands to produce diving watches with a water resistance of up to 100 meters - a real innovation in the watch world at the time. In 1954, YEMA production reached 130,000 watches worldwide.
1960s - In 55 countries
400,000 watches
From 1965 to 1968, the brand became the leading French watch exporter, with annual sales of 400,000 watches in more than 55 countries.
1966 - Official Supplier
First Yachting Engraver
The first Yachtingraf model was a chronograph with a Swiss ETA Valjoux caliber and an innovative countdown timer for regatta starts, which was patented in 1966.
YEMA became official supplier of the French sailing team in 1968 and handed over a Yachtingraf model to the former French naval officer Eric Tabarly, who is still France's most famous sailor today .
1967 - The ultimate diving watch
Mythos Superman
In 1967, YEMA filed a patent for a self-developed bezel locking mechanism for the iconic YEMA Superman. This mechanism was among the first locking diving bezels and, in addition to the crown protection design and screw-down crown mechanism, provided additional security by preventing the rotating bezel from accidentally moving during diving. Shortly thereafter, the Superman model became the first French-made diving watch waterproof to a depth of 300 meters. This made the Superman the ultimate French diving watch
1969 - What a Race
Mario Andretti wins the Indianapolis 500
Mario Andretti, regarded by many as the greatest racing driver in history, wore a YEMA Rallye during his historic victory in Indianapolis in 1969. The first Rallygraf was launched in 1967.
“I love wristwatches almost as much as motorsports. I bought the Rallygraf in the 1960s because I thought it was really cool. In May 1969, I wore the watch daily while preparing for the Indianapolis 500 - training, qualifying and during the race itself. After my victory > the watch became a sentimental object."
1970s - Excellent
YEMA & the military
The first Flygraf pilot chronograph was presented at the Micronora trade fair in 1970 and received several awards for its multi-part bezel with different calculating scales.
That same year, the French Air Force selected the YEMA Superman for its SAR (Search-and-Rescue) swimmers, an elite unit for air-sea rescue operations. The Superman model, known as indestructible, was developed specifically for the French military. Thanks to its robustness, perfect readability, reliability, corrosion resistance and waterproofness It was the ideal watch for use at sea and when diving.
1982 - Richard Mille
YEMA in space
The emergence of quartz watches led to restructuring in the watch industry. In the early 1980s, YEMA joined Matra Horlogerie, a French industrial conglomerate. Henry-John Belmont became CEO, and Richard Mille took over the international direction.
On June 24, 1982, French astronaut Jean-Loup Chrétien took off on a ten-day journey into space with the YEMA Spationaute I, the first Western European watch in space. Other copies of this model accompanied various missions of the French space agency CNES.
On June 17, 1985, the space shuttle Discovery took off with Patrick Baudry and his YEMA Spationaute II on mission STS-51G, the first Franco-American orbital flight.
1986 - YEMA North Pole & Odyssey
Off to the North Pool
In 1986, Richard Mille helped develop the YEMA North Pole, a tool watch made of titanium that could withstand extremely cold temperatures and strong magnetic fields /strong>. This watch accompanied the doctor and explorer Jean-Louis Étienne on his 800 km long solo journey to the North Pole
A few months later, also under Richard Mille's direction, Nicolas Hulot and Hubert de Chevigny carried the YEMA Odyssey on their North Pole expedition in an ultralight aircraft.
1986 - 2004 Japanese influence
The Hattori Seiko era
On December 10, 1986,Hattori-Seiko Co., Ltd. Majority owner of YEMA through the purchase of Matra Horlogerie shares. This Japanese management lasted until 2004 and influenced the design language of some YEMA models, such as the Superman II.
YEMA continued its space exploration with the Spationaute III, powered by the Seiko 7A38. On November 26, 1988, astronaut Jean-Loup Chrétien entered the MIR orbital station with this watch during the Franco-Russian Aragatz mission
In 2001, YEMA President Kaomi Matsumoto appointed Louis-Éric Beckensteiner as Managing Director, who took over full management in 2004. For YEMA's 60th anniversary in 2008, Beckensteiner presented the Master Elements, a chronograph limited to 60 pieces with the ETA Valjoux 7750 caliber. This tool watch is waterproof up to 300 meters and equipped with four Bezelsand aerial navigationas well Speed calculation instruments,has been hailed as a true UFO of watchmaking.
2009 - The independent watch manufacturer
Ambre France takes over
Ambre France, a family-run watchmaking group from Morteau, took over YEMA in 2009. Their goal was to further develop the brand by introducing the in-house caliber MBP1000 , which was developed after four years of development and an investment of 3 million euros.
Manufactured in France, this caliber offered simplicity and efficiency in production as well as high precision and reliability at a competitive price. Over the years, more than 250,000 MBP1000 movements have been manufactured
2020
Official partner of the French Armed Forces
In 2020, YEMA was appointed by the French Air Force and the French Navy as an official partner for the development of military timepieces. Manufactured to strict military standards, these watches are available to both military personnel and the general public
2021 - The second generation
in-house caliber Gen. 2
In 2021, Ambre decided to improve its in-house caliber and brought renowned watchmakers Olivier Mory and Patrick Augereau onto the team. These experts worked closely with master watchmaker Jean-Paul Boillot from YEMA. Togetherthey optimized the gear train and the mechanical oscillation system for improved performance. The new, improved calibers became known as the YEMA2000 (three-hand caliber) and YEMA3000 (GMT caliber).
2022 - Switch to
Local manufacturing
2022 was a pivotal year for YEMA's rebranding. The aim was to create a sustainable and traditional French watch manufacturer and to maintain independence. YEMA internalized production and, where necessary, worked with local French and Swiss partners to increase quality.
YEMA invested heavily in expanding and modernizing its workshops and production facilities. By integrating the French-Swiss Jura arc, YEMA worked with specialized local partners within a 72-kilometer radius of Morteau.
2023 & 2024
YEMA-Manufaktur
YEMA has recently benefited from the re-internalization of production and introduced a new generation of in-house calibers that are characterized by higher precision and performance. These calibers are equipped with Swiss regulating organs, while the base plates and bridges are manufactured by YEMA itself. All components are produced within 72 km of Morteau and assembled in the YEMA workshops. These movements are named “Caliber Manufacture Morteau” (CMM) to emphasize their local origins.
In 2023 YEMA introduced the first in-house caliber: the CMM.20, the first French micro-rotor movement. The CMM.30, a tourbillon caliber, followed at the end of 2023 Tidal complication,designed by Olivier Mory. In 2024, YEMA announced the CMM.10, a newly developed three-hand caliber with chronometric precision
THE COLLECTIONS
All YEMA watches
You don't know yet which category your heart beats for? Do you want to look at all the watches at once, perhaps first of all to look at the design and see which watch appeals to you the most? Then you've come to the right place. And as always - if you have any questions, please just ask!
Yema Manufakturwerk Uhren
Discover our exclusive collection of watches, equipped with our own high-precision manufacture calibers. Each watch is a masterpiece of French watchmaking art, designed for everyday challenges. Immerse yourself in the world of Calibers Manufacture YEMA and experience technology and tradition combined in every single watch.
YEMA diving watches
Discover the YEMA collection of diving watches that combine perfection and functionality. From classic to modern, every watch is ready for adventure in the depths of the ocean. Visit the diving watch collection now and find your perfect companion for underwater.
YEMA military watches
Discover YEMA's robust military watches that offer the highest precision and reliability. Developed to strict military standards, they are ready for any challenge. Experience the perfect combination of functionality and style – ideal for adventurers and professionals.
YEMA Motorsport watches
Discover YEMA's motorsport watches that perfectly combine speed and precision. Inspired by legendary racing drivers, they are ideal for adrenaline junkies and motorsport fans. Experience the distinctive design and functionality that make every watch a must-have.
YEMA Space & Pilot Watches
Discover YEMA's Space & Pilot Watches that offer precision and style for aviation enthusiasts. Designed for pilots and adventure seekers, they combine functionality and modern design. Experience the reliability and elegance that characterizes each of these watches.
YEMA Urban Sport watches
Discover YEMA's Urban Sport watches that perfectly combine stylish design and sporty functionality. Ideal for urban life and active adventures, these watches offer reliability and elegance. Find the perfect balance between everyday life and sport.
YEMA watches in the WATCHDAVID.SHOP
"What can I tell you... I've known YEMA for a very long time, but I've never dealt with the brand so intensively. I am very impressed by the story. And I didn't know that Richard Mille also had a hand in the design of some watches and the international orientation of YEMA. I find the quality impressive. You can immediately notice that many models are manufactured according to strict military standards. Finally, YEMA was appointed by the French Air Force and the French Navy as an official partner for the development of military timepieces. It's great that we "normal watch fans" can also benefit from it."
