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

Born in 1963, the Superman quickly became Yema’s most emblematic watch and, incidentally, one of France’s most famous watches too. A so-called skin diver, meaning a dive watch intended for recreational dives and more restrained proportions, it remained nevertheless a competent aquatic tool. Revived in 2018 with a faithful re-edition, Yema has, for the past few years, gradually upgraded its icon with more refined movements and cases, as well as additional complications, such as a GMT function. But today’s version, the Yema Superman Slim CMM.20, goes multiple steps further with both visual and mechanical upgrades. 

The history of the Yema Superman is now widely spread across the watch community, and it’s a topic we’ve touched upon on many occasions in previous articles. What matters today is the extensive series of upgrades Yema has applied to its dive watch while maintaining the overall historical look of this emblematic piece of French watchmaking history. Two years ago, with the Superman 500 collection, Yema already offered a revised version of this watch with several visual and technical upgrades. The new Superman Slim continues in this direction with a more refined model.

What we’re looking at here is a pair of new unprecedented watches featuring the classic Superman skin-diver look but with a deeply reworked 39mm case. The case is slimmer with slightly rounded finishes and a better-defined execution – not to mention something rather important on the back of the watches too… As indicated by its name, the Yema Superman Slim is all about bringing a more elegant touch to the watch, or should I say, a less instrumental look. While being more refined, it remains a competent dive watch with all desired specs and features.

That being said, the case of this new Superman, measuring 39mm in diameter and 48mm lug-to-lug (the watch always had rather long lugs), is distinguished by its more curved lugs and less angular profile. Mostly brushed on this version, the case has been upgraded with nicely executed polished bevels on the sides, adding a bit of refinement. The case has a thickness of 9.95mm, but this is without the crystal. Altogether, with this 2mm thick domed crystal in place, the watch is about 11.8mm in height – which remains quite reasonable for a 300m dive watch.

Besides these new fancy features on the case, the Yema Superman Slim retains most of the emblematic elements of this collection, starting with the bezel lock system combined with the screw-down crown. The unidirectional bezel now features a sapphire insert matching the dial’s colour and a simplified 0-60 scale with a lumed triangular marker, giving this watch a sleeker look.

Two dial colours will be available on this new Slim version: a classic black one and a striking blue edition, both lacquered with an almost enamel-like finish. The dials are classic Superman with printed luminous markers but, like the rest of the watch, have been slightly streamlined. The classic polished steel Superman hands have been subtly refined, and the signature “shovel” seconds hand has been replaced by a slender stick seconds hand, treated with Super-LumiNova, which lightens the dial and distinguishes it from the classic Superman. And the no-date display will surely make more than a few watch enthusiasts happy.

But let’s move on to the most important update here: the movement. Modern Superman watches started their lives with a Sellita/ETA outsourced movement or, later, a Yema calibre YEMA2000 (a French-made alternative to the aforementioned movements). Recently, the brand presented a bronze Superman with an unprecedented movement, the manufacture calibre CMM.10. The Superman Slim takes a slightly different direction, with a slimmer and more refined movement, the calibre CMM.20 that has first been presented in the context of a Wristmaster. Once again created with the help of Olivier Mory, this movement was designed and developed in France by Yema. 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.

The main specificity of this movement is its winding system, as it relies on a micro-rotor (in tungsten, mounted on ball bearings). This allows a movement about 1mm thinner than a SW200 or 2824, benefitting the overall thickness of the watch. Beating at a 4Hz frequency, it also boasts a comfortable 70h power reserve. It is presented in a blackened galvanic style. The reported accuracy is within a range of -3 /+7 seconds per day.

Finally, the Superman Slim comes with a redesigned scale-like bracelet, closed by a double-security folding clasp with a wet-suit extension. It measures 20mm at the lugs and tapers down to 16mm at the buckle.

Available for pre-order from 20 February 2024 on the brand’s website, the Yema Superman Slim CMM.20 will be priced at EUR 2,490 or USD 2,490. The first pieces will be delivered in May 2024. For more details, please visit yema.com.