On – Yema Superman 500 No-Date Blue Dial (Specs & Worth)

If we speak about French watchmaking, some names will resonate stronger than others and Yema actually is amongst essentially the most well-known manufacturers to have ever existed. For a number of years, the French home has refocussed its manufacturing on (largely) mechanical and emblematic fashions, which implied reviving what’s in all probability essentially the most iconic dive watch to ever come from France, the Yema Superman. We’ve seen a number of vintage-oriented iterations following its preliminary comeback, or evolutions with totally different capabilities. It’s time now for the dive watch to evolve and to be upgraded, as Yema launches the brand new Superman 500, a technically revamped watch that retained the enduring design of the gathering. 

Based mostly within the city of Morteau, France (close to the Swiss border, within the Jura mountains), Yema has undoubtedly left its mark in a crowded trade. Along with a number of different vital names, Yema has been on high of the listing of French producers and has lengthy centered its manufacturing on sports activities watches for divers, pilots or racing drivers… and even made it to area. A part of this professionally-oriented assortment, the Superman is the model’s most iconic (and maybe most iconic French watch), and Yema has faithfully revived it lately.

Whereas most dive watches produced from the mid-Nineteen Fifties to the early Nineteen Sixties had been supposed for skilled use, Yema began to work on a watch with nearly equal specs however devoted to a wider viewers of aficionados and leisure divers. Launched in 1963, the Superman instantly impressed the dive watch group with its spectacular 300m water-resistance and distinctive bezel-lock gadget. In previous years, we’ve seen a number of re-editions of traditional designs of the previous, equivalent to the just about 1-to-1 Superman Heritage or the extra unique Pores and skin Diver Restricted Version. And whereas all had been principally sharing the identical specs as the unique, Nineteen Sixties/Nineteen Seventies watches, Yema determined it was time for its icon to enter the twenty first century with beefed-up specs and upgrades.

What’s vital to know with this new Yema Superman 500 is the truth that what we love on this watch is undamaged, and solely what’s “below the hood” has been upgraded. As such, the design sticks to the emblematic form of the Superman, as we’ve come to take pleasure in previously and in current re-editions. Obtainable in 39mm and 41mm circumstances (right here photographed in 39mm), the Superman 500 feels and appears prefer it ought to with such a reputation on the dial. The skinny, elongated “pores and skin diver” form is there, and so is the all-important crown and locking gadget, the skinny bezel and the raised crystal. Particulars equivalent to the sharp lugs with holes, and the equally sharp crown guards, have been stored too, ensuring that the general feeling of a classic Superman will likely be there.

However, and that’s the nice half right here, the specs, the diving capacities and the general high quality have been improved. Initially, the bezel-lock gadget, which makes positive that after the crown is screwed, the bezel stays firmly in place, has been redesigned for extra stability with the crown tube (thus extra reliability and resistance). The locking gadget is now extra firmly in place and extra exactly adjusted. The bezel itself has additionally been barely redesigned, however the absolutely graduated 60-minute insert in anodized aluminium and luminous pearl on the 0 mark is undamaged. In the identical vein, Yema has reworked the gaskets of the crown. As such, it’s now attainable to regulate the bezel below shallow waters, because the watch is waterproof to 30m with the crown unscrewed. It’ll attainable to regulate the bezel even under the floor, which wasn’t the case previously.

One other vital level, explaining the title of this Yema Superman 500, the general water-resistance has been upgraded to 500m, due to the work executed on the crown, but additionally on the caseback – which is now 2.2mm thick as an alternative of 1.5mm. In the identical vein, the double-domed sapphire crystal on high of the watch, which retains its classic “plexiglass-like” design, has been reshaped for higher resistance to strain. It’s nonetheless 2.6mm in top however now deeper inserted into the watch to reduce the impact on the general top, and its diameter has been elevated by 0.6mm for improved legibility. Small particulars, however the result’s an actual dive watch that has a fairly skinny profile, being 13.4mm in complete. And the skinny casebands and bubble-like caseback assist to visually scale back the peak as soon as on the wrist.

The Yema Superman 500, as stated a modernized, upgraded model of the emblematic watch, is launched in two variations. First is a traditional black dial/bezel mannequin, with light-beige luminescent materials on palms and markers. The second model, barely extra fashionable (the one you may see on this article), has a navy blue dial and bezel insert, with white luminescent markers and palms. The dial, freed from a date window for a extra centered look, is shiny on each editions and has minimal textual content. The markers are painted and time is learn by the imply of traditional polished metal Superman palms, together with the shovel-like seconds hand with a pink dot. The depth score is printed in pink on each editions.

Contained in the case is one other step into the “Frenchness” of this watch. Whereas the Superman Heritage was powered by a Swiss computerized Sellita, this new Yema Superman 500 depends on the in-house designed and assembled Calibre YEMA2000. A substitute for its Swiss counterparts, its French origin fits completely the watch. This computerized motion, with 29 jewels, 4Hz frequency and 42h energy reserve contains a bidirectional rotor on ball bearings and is right here adjusted to +/- 10 seconds per day.

The Yema Superman 500, whether or not the black or blue version, could be ordered on a vintage-like leather-based strap with pin buckle, an FKM black rubber strap with folding clasp or a traditional Superman multi-link metal bracelet, with brushed and polished surfaces. The latter comes with a folding clasp with micro-adjustment holes and a diving extension.

Availability & Worth

The Yema Superman 500 will likely be a part of the everlasting assortment. For now, the primary 200 items, which will likely be out there as of Wednesday 29 June 2022, will likely be individually numbered on the again. Costs will likely be EUR 1,049 on leather-based, EUR 1,190 on metal bracelet and EUR 1,219 on FKM rubber strap – which is identical worth vary as a Superman Heritage, regardless of the technical upgrades.

For extra particulars and orders, please go to yema.com.