The Yema Urban Traveller: A French Legacy on the Wrist
In the ever-popular category of integrated bracelet sports watches, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of familiar designs. Yet, every so often, a watch emerges that offers a compelling blend of heritage, distinctive design, and genuine watchmaking substance. The Yema Urban Traveller is one such timepiece. It’s more than just a handsome face; it’s a distillation of over 75 years of French watchmaking history, a story of innovation, resilience, and a commitment to accessible quality.
To truly appreciate the Urban Traveller, one must first understand the brand that created it. This isn't some fleeting microbrand; this is Yema, a cornerstone of the French horological landscape since 1948. Let's take a journey back in time before we explore what makes this modern traveller tick.
A Legacy Forged in Besançon: The Yema Story
Born in Besançon, the heart of French watchmaking, Yema was founded by Henry-Louis Belmont, a watchmaker with a pioneering spirit. From its early days, Yema established itself as a maker of robust, purpose-built "tool watches" designed for the extremes—diving, motor racing, aviation, and even space exploration. By the 1960s and 70s, Yema had become the largest French watch exporter, a testament to its quality and global appeal.
Yema’s history is punctuated by iconic models that are now collector's items. The Superman of 1963, with its groundbreaking patented bezel-lock system and 300-meter water resistance, became the ultimate French dive watch. The Rallygraf and Yachtingraf, both released in 1966, found favor with motorsport legends like Mario Andretti and professional sailing teams.
Yema's ambitions weren't confined to Earth. In 1982, the Yema Spationaute I became the first French watch to travel to space on the wrist of astronaut Jean-Loup Chrétien. This cemented Yema's reputation for creating timepieces that could perform under the most demanding conditions.
The brand has navigated the tides of the watch industry, including ownership stints by Matra (where a young Richard Mille worked) and Japan's Hattori-Seiko, which subtly influenced some designs. Since 2009, Yema has been back in French hands, under the Morteau-based family group Ambre, which has reinvigorated the brand's commitment to its heritage and in-house manufacturing.
The Heart of the Matter: Yema's In-House Calibers
A significant part of Yema's modern identity is its push towards watchmaking independence. In 2011, the company introduced its first in-house caliber, the MBP1000. This paved the way for the second-generation YEMA2000, an automatic movement designed and assembled in Morteau, France. It boasts a 42-hour power reserve, beats at a smooth 28,800 vibrations per hour, and is adjusted to a respectable +/- 10 seconds per day. This movement was a key feature of the Urban Traveller, offering the allure of an in-house caliber at an accessible price point. However, in a recent strategic shift, Yema has decided to equip newer versions of its accessible collections, including some Urban Traveller models, with the reliable Swiss-made Sellita SW200 caliber to ensure reliability and ease of service, while reserving its higher-end in-house movements for its "Manufacture" collections.
Dissecting the Urban Traveller: A Modern Watch with Vintage Soul
The Yema Urban Traveller is not a reissue but a contemporary design that cleverly pulls from the brand's rich archives. It channels the spirit of the 1960s Wristmaster collection—Yema's take on a sport-chic watch—while incorporating distinct design cues from an octagonal 1980s quartz model, the Sous Marine. This fusion creates something that feels both fresh and familiar.
The Case and Design
The first thing that strikes you is the case. Its 39mm asymmetrical octagonal shape is distinctive, setting it apart from the crowd. With a relatively slim profile of around 11.4mm and a compact lug-to-lug measurement of 43.5mm, it’s designed for excellent wearability on a variety of wrists. The interplay of brushed surfaces and polished bevels is executed with a finesse that belies its price point, giving the watch a dynamic and refined look.
- Diameter: 39mm
- Thickness: ~11.4mm
- Material: 316L Stainless Steel
- Crystal: Double-domed sapphire crystal
- Water Resistance: 100 meters
A Dial with Depth
Yema offers the Urban Traveller with a stunning honeycomb textured dial, a subtle yet captivating feature that plays with the light beautifully. Available in an array of sophisticated, soft colors like powder blue, salmon, and silvery-white, the dial has a clean, no-date layout that enhances its symmetry and legibility. The applied, polished steel markers and baton hands are filled with Super-LumiNova BGW9 for clear visibility in low light.
The Integrated Bracelet
Of course, the defining feature is the integrated bracelet. The links are well-articulated, ensuring a comfortable fit. A butterfly clasp maintains a seamless look on the wrist. The design follows the case's aesthetic with vertical brushing on the surfaces and polished edges, creating a cohesive and elegant flow from case to clasp.
A Closing Thought
The Yema Urban Traveller is a compelling package. It successfully navigates the fine line between paying homage to its past and offering a modern, relevant timepiece. For the enthusiast, it represents an opportunity to own a piece from a brand with a legitimate and fascinating history—a brand that has been to the depths of the ocean and the vacuum of space. Whether powered by the in-house YEMA2000 or the robust Sellita SW200, it delivers a unique design, quality finishing, and a story worth telling. In a market saturated with look-alikes, the Urban Traveller is a breath of fresh, French air, proving that great design and horological heritage don't always have to come with a Swiss price tag.
