Yema

Yema is a French watchmaker founded in 1948 by Henry-Louis Belmont. Based in Morteau, France, the company makes mechanical watches for aviation, diving, sailing and other activities. Its aviation history includes watches developed with the French Air Force, professional pilots and France's Space Agency. Yema also designs and produces mechanical movements in its own workshops.

Yema Pilot Watches

Yema's connection with aviation goes back several decades.

In 1970, the company introduced its first Flygraf aviation chronograph. The watch was presented at the Micronora trade fair, where it received several awards. One feature was its multiple rules bezel, made in two separate parts.

In 2020, the French Air Force and French Navy selected Yema as an official partner to develop military watches.

These watches were created in collaboration with the military and followed specific requirements. They were made available to military personnel and the general public.

Yema also develops aviation and space watches with professional pilots and France's Space Agency.

This work gives the brand a direct connection to people who use watches in aviation settings.

Yema Watches in Aviation and Space

Yema watches have been used during several aviation and space activities.

In 1968, the French Air Force selected the Yema Superman for its aviation Search and Rescue swimmers. These personnel worked on rescue operations involving aircraft and the sea.

On June 17, 1985, French astronaut Patrick Baudry wore a Yema Spationaute II aboard the Discovery shuttle during mission STS-51G.

The company also supplied its Odyssey model for a North Pole expedition involving Nicolas Hulot and Hubert de Chevigny. The journey used an ultralight aircraft.

These examples connect Yema watches with aviation, rescue work and space travel.

French Mechanical Watchmaking

Yema designs, develops, manufactures and assembles watches in its Morteau workshops.

The company is managed by the Bôle family, a third-generation family of watchmakers.

In 2023, Yema introduced its first Manufacture movement, the CMM.20. It was the first French micro-rotor movement.

Later that year, the company released the CMM.30, a tourbillon movement designed by Olivier Mory with a tide complication.

In 2024, Yema announced the CMM.10, a three-hand movement designed from scratch.

These developments form part of Yema's move toward making its own mechanical movements.

Other Yema Watch Collections

Yema makes watches beyond aviation.

Its collections include the Superman, Navygraf, Rallygraf, Yachtingraf and Wristmaster.

The Yachtingraf first appeared in 1966. It included a countdown timer designed for the start of sailing races.

The Superman collection has a history in diving watches and includes a bezel-lock mechanism patented in 1967.

Yema also makes watches in its motorsports and women's categories.

For pilots and aviation fans, Yema offers watches connected to French military aviation, rescue operations and space missions. Its Flygraf history and work with professional pilots make aviation a clear part of the brand.