Automatic GMT Watch Under $1500: Yema Superman Bronze 39mm

roadwarrior

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•Oct 21, 2020

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The Urban Gentry

Today we return to one of the hottest trends of the last few years—bronze diving watches—and finally, one that has captured my heart. But this is no ordinary dive watch! This is the legendary Superman by France’s premier watchmaker Yema.

This military-issued automatic dive watch has been reborn as a GMT to take on new adventures. While previously reviewed bronze divers didn’t entice me enough to pull the trigger, this bronze Superman has changed my mind and has subsequently landed on my wish list. Join me for an in-depth review, including why this is one of the most compelling new releases of 2020, how it compares to my Rolex GMT Master II "Pepsi" and everything you need to know about bronze watches.

To find out more about Yema and this watch, click here:
https://kickstarter.yema.com


https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/yemawatches/yema-superman-bronze-limited-editions

Each of the 2 models is proposed as a collector's Limited Edition of 1,948 timepieces regardless of the choice of dial color and case size. Shipping scheduled for February 2021.

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Reissue of the iconic French diver watch YEMA Superman reference 53.00.16 initially released in 1970. This exclusive Superman Steel Bronze edition is available in dark Gray and Green dials in two distinct sizes (39mm and 41mm) in a collector's edition limited to 1948 timepieces to commemorate YEMA's year of foundation.

YEMA2000 IN-HOUSE CALIBER​

The new YEMA2000 Caliber is YEMA's second-generation in-house movement. Powered by optimized components yielding slightly better performance than similar calibers, the YEMA2000 Caliber offers a Daily Rate of +/- 10 s/d and a power reserve of 42h.

BRONZE ROTATING DIVERS' BEZEL​

Stylish sand-blasted bronze bezel. Unidirectional rotatable 60-minutes graduated bezel acting as a count up timer to measure diving time

DIVING BEZEL-LOCK MECHANISM​

The unique Superman bezel-lock at 3 o'clock proprietary design has proven very useful to professional divers and is found on all Superman models since 1963

HIGH CONTRAST GILT DIAL​

The dark gray dial with white printed indices and the gilt hands ensure high readability and a warm shade of bronze

ICONIC "SHOVEL" SECONDS HAND​

The 1970's iconic sweeping second hand with its head shaped like a shovel adds a distinct touch to this historic reissue

DOUBLE DOMED SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL​

The Superman Steel Bronze features a high-quality 2.60 mm double domed sapphire crystal offering better readability, enhanced resistance and a resolute vintage look.

Premium watches like the Superman Steel Bronze generally use sapphire crystal which is extremely hard (Moh’s scale 9 – Diamond is 10), and will resist scratching by most substances short of diamonds.

VINTAGE LEATHER STRAP​

For daily use we designed a black vintage leather strap that enhances the Superman Steel Bronze overall vintage look and perfectly fits the bronze case natural patina

TROPIC DIVE WATCH STRAP​

Inspired from the 1960's tropical style rubber straps, this second-generation Tropic strap design will please vintage watch collectors but also those who are looking for the perfect strap to wear during aquatic or physical activities

COLLECTOR'S LIMITED EDITION​

The 316L Steel caseback proudly displays YEMA's historic crest, beautifully embossed with a hydraulic press, and a LIMITED EDITION mention engraved with a unique number from 0001 to 1948 (Gray and Green dials).

SUPER-LUMINOVA​

The hands, dial markers and bezel graduation are treated with Swiss Super-LumiNova C1 so as to offer perfect readability in low light conditions


STEEL CASE - BRONZE BEZEL​

The Superman bronze bezel and crown offer a stylish contrast with the brushed steel case. Because its ability to patina, each watch bronze bezel will age differently according to its usage and exposure to diverse weather conditions, adding character to the watch and making each timepiece truly one of a kind. The best thing of patina on bronze is that you can easily reverse the process anytime and bring your bronze watch back to a healthy shine in just a few minutes.

AVAILABLE IN 39MM & 41MM​

We used sophisticated 3D modelling technology to recreate an original 1970s YEMA Superman case, which has resulted in a watch with the same proportions as the vintage original i.e. a 39mm diameter case with 19mm lugs width.

Those having a wrist size over 7 inches / 18 cm and those preferring larger standard sizes might privilege the 41mm case with 20mm lugs width variant.
Superman Armée de L'air Technical Drawing
Superman Armée de L'air Technical Drawing
HOUSING

DIMENSIONS​

Diameter: 39 mm / 41mm
Thickness: 13 mm / 13mm
Lug: 19 mm / 20mm

CASE​

Brushed Steel 316L

BEZEL​

Sand-blasted bronze bezel
Unidirectional rotating diving bezel with a 0-60 scale
Bezel with lock mechanism at 3 o'clock

CROWN​

Bronze screw-down crown, vintage Y YEMA logo engraved

CRYSTAL​

2,60 mm thick sapphire crystal, double domed with light magnifying lens effect for better dial readability

WATER RESISTANCE​

30 BAR / 990 Feet / 300 m

MOVEMENT​

Automatic

CALIBER​

YEMA2000 In-house Caliber
Self winding with ball bearings rotor
29 Rubies
28 800 A/h

ACCURACY​

Daily Rate +/- 10 seconds per day
Maximum Rate +/- 25 seconds per day
Adjustments and checks made before and after assembly by our watchmakers

POWER RESERVE​

42 hours

FUNCTIONS​

Hours, minutes, seconds, date

DATE​

Date at 3 o'clock

DIVING WATCH FEATURES​

The YEMA Superman model was originally designed in 1963 as an indestructible dive watch. Rather impressively for the time, the original watch featured already a depth rating of 990 feet / 300m, an a unique bezel-locking mechanism that ensured the bezel couldn’t accidentally move under water, a design feature that differentiates YEMA’s Superman from other mechanical dive watches.

It's graduated rotating bezel comes also handy to scuba divers as it allows measuring diving time. Before beginning a descent, the diver turns the bezel until the triangle on the graduation is opposite the minute hand. This indicates the beginning of the dive and is visible in the dark. The duration of the dive is indicated on the graduation on the bezel by the minute hand. Since the bezel graduation triangle and the hands are treated with Super-LumiNova, scuba divers can read diving time also under poor light conditions during deep-diving and cloudy days.

DIVING TIME​

BEZEL-LOCK MECHANISM​

WATER RESISTANCE​

WHAT'S IN THE BOX?​

- YEMA Superman Steel Bronze
- Black leather vintage strap
- Dive watch Tropic strap
- Leather travel case
Approx. US$ 545 (-54% off)
* European Union backers will be charged 20% VAT
i.e. € 545 incl. VAT

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The raised box crystal is killer with the Bronze case!

YEMA a cool TM...made in france @6 no stinkin' freedom fries

-after reading about micro problems with GMT... ScottyB just window shopping

- also bronze-o cherry in tact...i like SS cleans up like saturday night
 
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