Yema is a name that was born in 1948, created by Henry Louis Belmont, who was a graduate from the National Watchmaking School of Besancon in 1931. The name stayed till today and lingered very well especially within the dive-watch community, a name that is synonymous with fine French horology.Mr. Belmont founded Yema with a vision to produce well-built watches at honest prices, a philosophy that aligns closely with Gnomon's own. This approach propelled the brand's success during the 1960s, a golden era that introduced some of Yema's most iconic tool watches. Vintage collectors will recall the Flygraf pilot chronograph for the air, the Rallygraf racing chronograph for the land, and the Yachtingraf regatta chronograph for the sea. Not to be overlooked is the legendary Superman diver, a model that truly established Yema's legacy in watchmaking. Today, Yema continues this tradition by unveiling the new meca-quartz Yachtingraf Croisière, reimagined by Romaric André, also known as seconde/seconde/, who drew inspiration from bold graffiti murals to create the striking and unconventional Yema Yachtingraff seconde/seconde/.The Yachtingraf Croisière has been part of Yema's collection since 1969, continually evolving through various modifications and upgrades. For this latest edition, Yema and seconde/seconde/ drew inspiration from earlier versions as the creative base. While staying true to its vintage roots, the watch introduces a series of refined updates, including a subtly reworked case shape featuring newly added inner bevels along the lugs. The dimensions have also been slightly adjusted, now measuring 38.5mm in diameter, 46mm lug-to-lug, and 13mm in thickness—modernized, yet still compact and wearable on the wrist. The stainless steel case showcases a handsome blend of finishes, with the bezel and lug hoods rendered in a mirror polish, while the case flanks are richly brushed for a dynamic, well-balanced look.Moving to the chronograph pushers, Romaric added a playful twist by incorporating subtle engravings and blue and red accents that transform them into miniature spray-can heads, a nod to his graffiti-inspired concept. Paired with a signed push-pull crown, the watch offers 100 meters of water resistance, making it well suited for everyday wear and recreational aquatic adventures.Protected beneath a double-domed hesalite crystal, the Yachtingraff invites a closer look and a subtle comparison to its predecessor. The similarities are easy to spot, especially in the colorway, but the sub-dials reveal Romaric's unique touch. They now sport a graffiti-inspired style, appearing as if still wet and dripping over the black background. To clarify the layout, the 3 o'clock sub-dial is a 24-hour indicator, resembling an inverted Swiss cross. At 6 o'clock, you'll find the slightly recessed running seconds sub-dial. The standout feature is the bold "big-eye" countdown sub-dial at 9 o'clock, which houses two countdown timers. Its hand can be used from both ends to precisely time the start of your regatta. The Yema logo sits proudly at 12 o'clock, accompanied by a small yet distinctive sketch-style letter "F" at the end of the Yachtingraf name, marking the exclusivity of this unique collaboration with seconde/ seconde/. The pencil-shaped hour and minute hands echo the applied markers and are filled with luminous material for enhanced readability in low light conditions.Turning the watch over reveals a solid stainless steel caseback engraved with a whimsical quote by seconde/seconde/: "La Croisière, ma muse" (French for "The cruise, my muse"). This clever twist on "La croisière s'amuse" ("The cruise is having fun") playfully references the French title of the American TV series The Love Boat, which aired in the 1970s and 1980s. Beneath the caseback beats the Seiko VK63 meca-quartz chronograph movement, offering reliable performance with an accuracy of ±20 seconds per month.This fantastic artistic piece is paired with a 19mm black tropic rubber strap that blends vintage charm with modern comfort. Lightweight, waterproof, and durable, it's ready to follow you anywhere, complete with a signed pin buckle that adds a contemporary finishing touch.The Yema Yachtingraff seconde/ seconde/ is more than just a throwback to vintage regatta chronographs. It is a fun, creative twist on a classic. Romaric André brings his playful style to the design, turning subdials into dripping graffiti and pushers into tiny spray cans, giving the watch an unexpected splash of personality. But it is not just about looks. Inside, you have a reliable Seiko meca-quartz movement and 100 meters of water resistance, making it super practical for daily wear. This is a watch that mixes art and function in all the right ways and keeps things interesting every time you check the time.
