Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The New Yema Navygraf Marine Nationale CMM.10
Yema’s military grade dive watch resurfaces with a sleeker case, a more contemporary dial design and a powerful proprietary movement.
While the development of dive watches is dominated by some of the big names in the watch world, French brand Yema produced a 100m water-resistant dive watch in 1953. In the 1970s, Yema equipped the French Air Force with resilient tool watches, personified by the legendary Superman. Now in the hands of a French watchmaking group, Ambre France, Yema has developed a solid repertoire of vintage-inspired tool watches. Furthermore, Yema secured strategic alliances with the French Air Force (Armée de l’Air) and French Navy (Marine Nationale) in 2020 to develop military tool watches. The first official timepieces for the Marine Nationale were based on Yema’s 1970s Navygraf dive watch. Capturing distinctive retro design elements of the original, the Navygraf Marine National was developed in collaboration with the Marine Nationale and beefed up with contemporary specifications. The new and evolved Navygraf Marine Nationale three-hand automatic sails in with a sleeker, more contemporary case and dial, now powered by the brand’s proprietary CMM.10 calibre.
Most dive watch enthusiasts are well-versed in Superman lore, Yema’s famous professional French dive watch released in 1963 with a patented bezel-lock system and 300m water-resistance. The Navygraf, which appeared in the early 1970s, was a simplified version of the Superman without the bezel-lock. Envisioned as a partner for recreational divers, the Navygraf had a bakelite bezel insert, distinctive exclamation point markers and delivered 200m water-resistance.
Following in the footsteps of the recent facelift applied to the Yema Navygraf Slim and the 2023 Navygraf Marine Nationale GMT, the case of the Navygraf three-hand automatic (no date) has been redesigned. Compared to the Navygraf Automatic introduced in 2021 as part of the quartet, including the Navygraf GMT, the case profile has been reduced by 1.5mm thanks to the incorporation of Yema’s proprietary CMM.10 movement. Retaining its compact 39mm diameter, the thickness of the case is 11mm (including the 2.2mm double-domed sapphire crystal). You might be surprised to learn that these specifications are identical to those of the Navygraf Slim, powered by a micro-rotor movement.
The stainless steel case retains the pointy crown guards, but the lugs are more angular with square ends. Most of the surfaces are brushed, but a wide polished bevel runs along the flanks for a more sophisticated touch. The screw-down crown embossed with the Marine Nationale anchor ensures the 300m water-resistance and features the same fluting found on the bezel. The 60-minute dive unidirectional dive bezel has a blue sapphire insert, and the markings are coated with Super-LumiNova.
Many changes have taken place on the matte navy blue dial. Graphic, more contemporary hour markers have replaced the signature “exclamation point” markers of the original Navygraf. The new markers, alternating circular, rectangular and triangular shapes, are slightly raised and treated with Super-LumiNova. The ‘Y’ Yema logo and yellow Navygraf inscription have been retained, but the Marine Nationale anchor at 6 o’clock has been removed and is now printed on the sapphire caseback. Instead of the ‘990 Feet Automatic’ inscription, the dial now reads ‘300 Metres Automatique Marine Nationale’. The vintage Navygraf white-coated luminescent hour and minute hands have been retained, although the central seconds hand is yellow, matching the Navygraf inscription.
One of the most exciting upgrades is the new proprietary CMM.10 automatic calibre. Introduced inside the Superman Bronze, this modern, robust, stable and powerful three-hand movement was designed and developed by Yema in its workshops in Morteau with help from watchmaker Olivier Mory. You can read about it in this article, but suffice it to know that it is regulated to chronometric precision, has an anti-magnetic Glucydur balance wheel stabilised by a transversal bridge, a stop-seconds mechanism and a large barrel for a 70-hour power reserve.
Availability & Price
The Yema Navygraf Marine National CMM.10 is available with a stainless steel bracelet with a diver’s extension and retails for EUR 1,690. Alternatively, it can be paired with a Marine Nationale parachute strap, a throwback to the straps made by combat divers in the 1970s using the elastic webbing from used parachutes, and costs EUR 1,590. For more information and to place an order, please consult yema.com. Shipping starts at the end of September 2024.
2 responses
Been saying this forever: please develop a double delpyant clasp for these bracelets. It’s the only thing missing from an otherwise great design.
Historically they have had poor AR coating causing a lot of reflections to the point t it’s distracting, I wonder if it has changed. The crown protectors are also quite sharp amd can be uncomfortable. Would like to get these minors points addressed before I consider another one.