The Yema watch company was founded in 1948 in Besançon (Doubs) by Henry Louis Belmont, the company distinguished itself from the outset, creating the first automatic chronometers manufactured entirely in France, and became famous for the technical qualities and sports characteristics of its watches. Yema is one of the most underappreciated vintage watch brands, but slowly people are starting to realize what a great opportunity they represent.
 
Henry Louis Belmont founded YEMA in 1948, in Besançon, in the Doubs, the cradle of French watchmaking. According to legend, the name, which sounds Greek, was born from the imagination of a teenager during a competition organized by the founder himself. The manufacturer quickly enjoyed great success on the international scene, since in 1966, and for three consecutive years, Yema was the leading French watch exporter, with more than 500,000 models delivered to more than 50 countries. In the United States, it was under the name “LEJOUR”, an export brand, that Yema established itself on the wristwatch market. Today, its workshops are located in Morteau in Franche Comté. 
 
Yema’s story is a story of technical advances. The brand’s models are both markers of the history of watchmaking and also of human adventure, as they follow all the exploits of the second half of the 20th century. Indeed, these watches are intended for professionals: diving watches, pilot’s watches, astronaut’s watches, and car racers’ watches. The keywords of the brand are reliability and robustness.
 
This cool-looking Yema Meangraf Super is a wonderful example from the very well-regarded Yema Sporting Chronograph Line. Originally purchased from Jackroad, a Japanese watch dealer, it is dating from around the start of the 1970's it is so easy to see why the Vintage Watch Community is tipping Yema to follow in Heuer's footsteps.
 
Yema has recently revived their iconic models such as their Divers, the Superman, and the Meangraph Chronograph but you really can’t beat the original ones!