Yema, a revered French watch manufacturer established in 1948 by Henry Belmont, has revealed a fresh collection of its Wristmaster timepieces. The brand, once France's leading watch exporter, faced challenges during the quartz crisis but was revitalized in 2009. Building on its heritage of iconic models like the Superman, Flygraf, Rallygraf, and Navygraf, Yema has been dedicated to re-establishing its prominence in mechanical watchmaking. This commitment is exemplified by their in-house micro-rotor movement, which powers their contemporary sports watches. The latest additions to the Wristmaster line feature small seconds displays, novel dial colors, and a striking limited-edition camouflage variant.
The Wristmaster's octagonal case, while evoking 1960s aesthetics, is a contemporary design. Its 39mm stainless steel body is notably slender at 9.2mm, thanks to the compact CMM.29 caliber, ensuring a comfortable fit for diverse wrist sizes. The watch’s robust nature is underscored by crown guards protecting the screw-down crown, offering 100m water resistance. A defining characteristic is the distinctive scalloped bezel, reminiscent of the 1980s Sous-Marine model, which frames a double-domed sapphire crystal.
The standard stainless steel Wristmaster iterations showcase a refined vertical brushed finish across the case and bracelet, creating a unified appearance. This is complemented by polished bevels that enhance the integrated design. These models are available with smooth purple/blue or green dials, a departure from the classic Wristmaster's textured pattern. The hour markers are trapezoidal and more prominent, with double markers at 12 o'clock, all filled with luminous material for enhanced readability, matching the hour and minute hands. The small seconds counter is positioned off-center at 9 o'clock.
For those seeking a more adventurous aesthetic, Yema offers the Wristmaster Slim Camo, a limited edition of 100 pieces. This version features a snow camouflage motif applied to the case, dial, and bracelet through laser engraving, presenting a subtle monochromatic profile. Despite the camouflage, elements like the bezel's notches and polished bevels retain their brushed or polished finishes, adding visual contrast. The dial markers on the Camo edition are polished trapezoids with black outlines and luminescent centers, ensuring legibility against the mottled background.
All three new Wristmaster models boast a sapphire exhibition caseback, allowing a view of the slim 3.7mm in-house CMM.29 movement. The limited-edition Camo model stands out with its unique micro-rotor, engraved with its individual number (e.g., 001/100), and bridges adorned with a snow-inspired pattern. In contrast, the regular steel models feature a sunray Côtes de Genève finish on their bridges. Developed in collaboration with watchmaker Oliver Mory, the CMM.29 movement utilizes a tungsten micro-rotor for efficient power delivery, resulting in a substantial 70-hour power reserve. Its 4Hz balance wheel is stabilized by a full bridge, and the movement is finely tuned to -3/+7 seconds per day, nearing COSC standards.
The Wristmaster Slim Small Seconds in steel with blue or green dials is priced at EUR 2,249. The exclusive 100-piece snow camouflage variant is offered at EUR 2,399. These new releases demonstrate Yema's ongoing commitment to innovation and craftsmanship, blending historical inspiration with modern watchmaking excellence. The introduction of these distinct models, particularly the limited-edition camouflage, expands the appeal of the Wristmaster collection, offering both classic elegance and contemporary flair to watch enthusiasts.