Yema

Overview

Yema is a French watchmaking company founded in 1948, known for designing tool watches for diving, motor racing, space exploration, and sailing. It achieved prominence as France's largest watch manufacturer in the 1960s-1970s, producing over 500,000 watches annually, and is currently managed by a third-generation family of watchmakers with a focus on in-house production.¹²⁴

History

Yema was founded in 1948 by Henry Louis Belmont, a graduate of the National Watchmaking School of Besançon and former technical director at Lip, in Besançon, France. By the 1960s and 1970s, it became France's largest watch manufacturer, exporting significantly and worn by figures like Mario Andretti and astronaut Jean-Loup Chrétien. The brand changed owners multiple times, was briefly led by Richard Mille in the 1980s, and was acquired in 2009 by Montres Ambre de Morteau, now managed by the Bôle family.²³⁴⁵

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Yema is based in Morteau, France, where it manufactures its own plates and bridges, and assembles watches. Approximately 80% of components for calibers like the CMM.20 are made in France, with 20% sourced from Switzerland within 45 miles of headquarters. Parts come exclusively from France and Switzerland.³⁴

Notable Products

• Superman - Iconic dive watch with patented bezel lock system, used by French Navy divers.
• Racing - Chronograph associated with motorsport, worn by Mario Andretti at Indy 500.
• CMM.20 Micro-Rotor - In-house automatic caliber with 80% French-made components.
• Willys - Reissue of 1960s military watch supplied to French forces.

Reputation

Yema is regarded by enthusiasts as a heritage French brand reviving tool watch traditions with growing in-house capabilities, praised for value in dive and chronograph models. Professionals note its historical significance and modern manufacturing in France, though some criticize quartz era impacts and past ownership changes. It holds a niche position among microbrands for authenticity over luxury prestige.²³⁵