The New Yema Navygraf Slim CMM.20 with Micro-Rotor Movement

A strong advocate of French watchmaking and a brand with history, Yema keeps upgrading its collection with more horological content and designs to please vintage enthusiasts. This blend of modern watchmaking and historic looks was the base of the recently presented Superman Slim CMM.20, the icon of the brand powered by a manufacture micro-rotor calibre developed and assembled in France. Now, it’s time for the Navygraf, the other dive watch of Yema to be upgraded and refined with these nice mechanics. Meet the new Navygraf Slim CMM.20 diver. 

Most watch enthusiasts should now be familiar with Yema and its most emblematic model, the Superman – possibly the most famous French watch… First released in 1963, the Superman was a so-called 300m Skin-Diver with one particularity, a bezel-lock system to avoid miscalculations and unintentional manipulations of the count-up 60-minute scale when diving. To answer to the needs of a growing community of recreational divers, Yema launched its Navygraf watch in the early-1970s. This watch was a slightly simplified model, with a 200m water-resistance and without the bezel-lock system, but still with the brand’s distinctive design. It was mostly recognizable thanks to its “exclamation point” markers and a bakelite bezel insert.

Earlier this year, Yema launched the Superman Slim CMM.20, a modernized and refined version of its emblematic dive watch equipped with its manufacture micro-rotor movement. Following the same strategy of mixing modern watchmaking with retro-inspired designs – a recipe that has proven very effective for Yema and many other brands – the French company is now updating its other dive watch, the Navygraf. Slimmer, more refined, powered by the calibre CMM.20 and still fairly priced, there’s a lot to like here – specifically for those who don’t like the bezel-lock system (I know a few…)

Just like in the past, the Navygraf Slim is a less hardcore vision of an aquatic watch. More daily-oriented, more casual… Yet, for this new edition, Yema has reworked the case to give it some strength and a solid 300m water-resistance. Measuring a fairly compact 39mm diameter, with an equally reasonable thickness of 9.5mm without the crystal (about 11mm with it), it wears nicely on the wrist, and the visually elongated lugs are, in fact, not that prominent. At 46mm in length, the Navygraf Slim is on the short side. More angular than the Superman Slim, it features block-like lugs and pointy crown guards yet a polished chamfer has been added on the side for an extra dosage of refinement.

One major difference with the Superman is that the Yema Navygraf features a classic unidirectional bezel without a locking mechanism. The insert, here made of black-coated sapphire crystal, also features a simplified scale, only with markers (no numerals) and a luminous triangle marking the zero. The double-domed 2mm sapphire crystal, the screwed back and the screw-down crown guarantee a comfortable 30-bar water-resistance, despite a slimmed-down profile (previous Navygraf models were about 2mm thicker). The overall fit-and-finish is robust and pleasant to the touch.

Moving to the dial, we have the same inspiration, with a more modern, less hardcore vision of a dive watch than the Superman. The glossy lacquered black dial is punctuated by applied polished steel markers, including stylized arrows at each quarter. All elements, including the faceted and polished hands, are filled with Super-LumiNova and touches of yellow are found on the seconds hand and the Navygraf logo. And if it isn’t the most efficient watch to avoid reflections, the combination of the dazzling black shine of the dial and the bezel, magnified by the two convex sides of the double-dome sapphire crystal, and the raised markers does bring a certain sense of elegance.

Design matters aside, the most important element in this Navygraf Slim is its movement. With the idea of becoming more and more independent, Yema has created several movements, including this surprising micro-rotor calibre CMM.20. First presented in the context of a Wristmaster, it was conceived in Morteau (France) with the help of Olivier Mory. All components are either produced internally by Yema in Morteau (bridges and main plates) or by Swiss and French suppliers within a range of 72km from Morteau and then assembled by Yema. Not common in the context of sports watches, it is wound by a micro-rotor in tungsten mounted on ball bearings. Beating at a 4Hz frequency, it also boasts a comfortable 70h power reserve. The sapphire back reveals a neatly executed movement with matte surfaces and dark-coated bridges. Its accuracy is rated at -3/+7 seconds per day.

Worn on a 19mm grained calfskin leather strap, this Yema Navygraf Slim CMM.20 is presented as a limited edition of 200 pieces, now available for order (deliveries August 2024). It is priced at EUR 1,990 or USD 1,990, once again a fair price considering the overall content. For more details, please visit yema.com.