Impressive $1000 Diver - YEMA Superman Heritage 39mm
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I wanted to see if the forum love of the Superman is justified- I am very pleased to say... that it completely is. This is a lovely watch. A large thank you to Yema for sending it in for presentation. This video composes my first impressions, and a full detailed review will follow within the next week. Yema is currently running a SUMMER SALE- 15 percent off, an extra tropic strap, and free shipping. Use the site chat feature to secure your discount code-
en.yema.com/pa...
Thanks guys! Reach out with any questions
I recently bought one of these, and, it has become my favorite watch; I can't seem to stop wearing it. Just took it off a couple of hours ago, as a matter of fact.
Your macro video is very useful here, Bruce. It shows the difference between the great, the good, and the "good enough" on all the watches you review. This one seemed to have a lot of unfortunate attention to detail issues, if not flaws. Good to hear that this is great in person, as it probably performs better in hand than it does in pictures.
I just bought the quartz version of this watch (about half the price of the automatic). I love it.
Congrats man
Narad, how do you like the quartz version? Does the seconds hand hit the minute markers around the dial?
Mine doesn't, it hits right in the middle of two markers. Despite that, I love this watch with fantastic dial and beautiful case. The best thing is this does not look like any other dive watch in the world. A true original with real vintage taste.
@@damionberv5074 I missed your question way back, but the answer is no, the seconds hand doesn't always hit the markers unfortunately.
I just bought a Yema Yachtingraf and love it. The quality is excellent and it’s a unique looking watch. I would buy another Yema for sure.
I'm with you
Bruce thanks for the great content. I think the Yema is definitely a worthy contender to add to my rotation - something different for sure
Very cool watch. I'm not crazy about the dial color but the do make a black which is what I'd go for. They do make a green bezel insert with a black dial too. Great video as always !!
Tempted to get the Navygraf or Superman Maxi with the in-house movement. Would servicing the watch in a few years time be a problem?
Like how the bracelet looks integrated - gives a nice transition from the case... Agree on the clasp, reminds me of the Steinhart there.
Thanks Bruce. Great content as always. I'm very familiar with this piece and I strongly feel that I would prefer it over the Oris sixty-five for some reason. Two days ago I pulled the trigger on an Omega Seamaster 300 Master Co Axial. I have to wait a while.
I agree with you, I prefer this to the very solid 65. Congrats on your Omega!!
One of my misgivings with this model is the lug location, it sits quite high (midpoint on the case), reminds me of my Fortis Fleiger - even though the lug to lug or height of the watch is relatively compact, the watch sits a little high on the wrist, due to the fact the lugs could be placed lower on the case or sloped further down. Looking at the video you can see the gaps under the top of Bruce's wrist, under the lugs. My wrist is smaller 6.5", so would probably show a little more.
One little thing I noticed when you put it next to the Submariner, on the right sides of both watches, some critics have found the Bezel lock on the Superman superfluous and thus kinda dumb, and many find the cyclops on the Submariner excessive and kinda ugly... if I look at those two controversial and arguably "clumsy" elements on the right sides of the respective watches, I find the Bezel lock on the Yema, at least aesthetically, looks downright elegant.
Nice video, ordered the Air Force special edition a couple of months ago, and still one month waiting time before it arrives!
Love the review. Beautiful watch. Would you recomend this for a small wrist? 6 1/4? Superman seems less clunky than Steinhart one 39.
Hey, Bruce! Great first impressions. For ETAs and Seiko movements, I actually prefer to have them regulated by my local watchmaker over getting a COSC Certificate. There's always a risk that the accuracy of the watch is affected on its way to me. Also, I would rather dedicate the premium I would pay for the certificate to supporting my local watchmaker. Just my personal preference.
Thanks Bruce! Look forward to the review...lots of other reviewers have looked at the black dial version but this is the one I’m interested in and how it would rate against the Oris Sixty-Five!
Great review. I absolutely love the raised applied indicies on this version. And that blue is awesome, completely different to the standard blue you see on most divers. I'm really considering purchasing one of these.
Hey Bruce thanks for doing this review. I’ve been looking at Yema for almost a year but just didn’t know enough about them to pull the trigger. It’s a great looking watch, I love the thin case. But I’m not sure I’d like the bezel locking device or how the case back protrudes out, preventing it from sitting flat on wrist. But no doubt it’s a great looking piece. Thanks.
Nice! Glad to see this on the channel. The piece one the whole looks good, macros are a bit rough at >$1k.
Love to see a review on the yema flygraf pilot m2.
I’ve been scoping this piece out for a while now as I am a French Canadian, proud to see France on the dial and most definitely like the heritage and overall look of the piece as well as the Ollech & Wajs OW P-104 S. Both lineups seem to have bracelet letdowns with the Yema clasp topping the O & W. Throw the Seiko SBDC 101 as well as the Squale Atmos 30 Arrancia Zurro and I feel a dilemma here. Thanks for the video BW as your videos and insight give me a better take on what to do despite the challenges of finding the right piece as I move into a different price point.
People are still sleeping on Yema! These Superman watches are brilliant, love how it looks modern but with a lovely heritage type of feel! They've absolutely nailed it with these watches! Wish they'd send me one 😂
Beautiful watch. But if you dive with it and decide to change the timer, you have to unscrew the crown and loose water resistance?
Nice, I like it. I get paranoid about catching box crystals on things & shattering them tho so prefer a flat or slightly domed sapphire (but I do wear my C. Ward C65 (the retro diver) a lot!) Cheers 👍🏻
That’s a lot nicer watch than this Yema....nice one 👍
Oh man I am a sucker for a dramatic box sapphire!
@@andypandy16 thank you 🤗👍🏻
Great review and thanks for showcasing this as I've been interested and on the fence about a Yema for a couple years. I am most drawn to vintage reissue and style skin divers and there is three in the Yema line up that interest me, especially the Superman Heritage 63. The things that put me off are the price plus import duties, the 19mm lugs, and that historically accurate and very cool looking bezel lock that unfortunately looks to be a PITA. I wish this was available in 39mm with a black sunburst dial.
Great review. I've been enjoying my limited edition version with the blue/red 24-hour bezel for a few months now. The case is even nicer to look at in person. The way it is divided really helps to break up the mass, which isn't that thick to begin with, and make it appear thinner, especially when on wrist. I also appreciate the nice all brushed finish the model I have has. I didnt realize that when I ordered it and was pleasantly surprised to see that. It makes the watch look sportier and almost more streamlined in some ways. The bracelet tapers nicely and I like the end by the case is wider to help extend the case and lug form to and through the bracelet. It gives it an almost integrated lug design look and again adds to the overall sleekness of the design, imho.
I have to admit the bezel lock device is a bit gimmicky and redundant on the watch as the bezel is unidirectional already so it only further helps to lock movement in both directions.. not that I feel the bezel action by itself is easy to accidentally move. However, I appreciate the added device as it is a definite feature of the Superman model and I like it adds some visual interest and does help strike a conversation about the watch as I find a fair number of people ask what that thing is.
I believe this is still considered a heritage model, just with a GMT complication added and matching 24-hour bezel, if course I like both GMT and non-GMT models. I do like the non-GMT version that has blue dial and the rectangle applied indices.. I believe that maybe a US limited edition or special model.. maybe. It is almost like the one you have, so I'm not sure what the difference is other than maybe possibly a different strap option.
I also like the new limited edition for the French Airforce. These are used by the French Airforce and I kind of like the Fench rondell on the dial and crown.
I am excited to see 2 new releases from Yema. I believe a "Superman Heritage 63" and another called the "Flygraf Pilot", presumably a pilot style watch. I think A.B. from Watch Collecting Strategy has this as he gave a very tiny sneak peek at the dial and I saw an interesting portion of the dial that has arabic numerals.. I think he has to wait till the embargo on it is lifted when they are official announced to the public.
Pretty cool 😎 but I would have to brush the polished center links on the H-link bracelet soon as the watch came out of the box‼️
Awesome video, Bruce!
What would you call the lug to lug measurement including the end links that don’t articulate? I have watched a few videos and I remember someone mentioning that measurement but I have revisited videos and can’t seem to find that info. Thanks for your time!
Hello Bruce, your comments on this Yema is spot on. It is a beauty and I am wanting to like it but can't get o er it's clasp, my goodness. For me it is like wearing a tuxedo with work boots, so out of character with the watch as a whole. A few weeks ago I purchased my first Yema, a Rallygraf and love it inspite of the fact that it has a mechaquartz. But the mesh bracelet it came with is of the same high quality as the rest of the watch. Yes, this Yema oozes with personality, I only wish Yema would have looked at what Zelos does with their clasps for much less money.
Would like to see a side by side with a Christopher Ward C65....i think it would loose on the clasp but may win in other area's...the C65 punches well above it price range....woukd be interesting to compare the finishing
I second this!
Any Christopher Ward blows this thing away from a finishing standpoint. So does Hamilton, Oris, and a host of others.
@@Brian-ee1gx have you got both?
Hi Robin, I do have watches from Hamilton and Christopher Ward. Neither have defects like these under magnification.
@@Brian-ee1gx the C65 was my first CW ...most of my stuff before that was omega tag 🤔 and Tudor..and i would say the C W holds up really well ..something a few people have mocked me for saying ...but i say it as i see it....Yema look like they are doing a pretty decent job...but i will take a look at the macros of the finishing...
Micro brands are a very interesting part of the watch world which i now enjoy although i think the days of CW being a miro brand are long gone
Nice to get different views on things....one mans meat is anothers poison etc😂
Did you pressure test the case?
Really good looking watch Bruce..I’ve never heard of this brand,,I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone in England talk of yema watches but I’d definitely look out for them ..it looks really good on the wrist..do they sell through your AD..or online missing out on the dealer.cheers Bruce..
Great review as always Bruce! The more I see this timepiece, the more I’m staring to like it!
What's with the dirt on the hour hand? Visible @ 4:23 Little bit yikes for a $1200 watch.
Hi Bruce. I really appreciate your reviews, as always this one is on the spot. Personally I'm torn between the Yema and the Doxa Sub 200. Which one is the better buy? Or should I spend some extra money for a Oris Divers 65?
There are a number of flaws on the indices and I noticed a flaw on the hour hand too. What's the case finishing like? The transition between the surfaces on the case do not look especially crisp particularly around the crown guards. I do like the dial colour and the small details of the 'shovel' second hand, the domed crystal and sapphire bezel insert. However, the bezel needs a 'lumed' pip.
Yes, there are some rough edges on the inner part of some of the block markers. A little imperfection on the hour hand. No dust that I can see. Tidy printing throughout. Still waiting on that perfect dial haha. As far as case finishing it is really well done. Sharp, clean, no issues.
@@BruceWilliams ... Thank's Bruce. I'm looking forward to a more detailed review.
I love the watch and brand but the first few macro shots of blocks on dial do look jagged on each side of lume. Great video. 👍🏻🏴
I hope some find my following review helpful. Thank you to Bruce for this awesome, detailed review video!
I recently learned about Yema.
I was drawn to the Superman heritage blue for many reasons - I have a soft spot for vintage style (Swiss) watches. I have a bit of French heritage and a love for all things French (wine, cooking, etc). I was looking for a blue dial diving watch. I was looking for something unique and not an homage style watch. I have a true love and appreciation for quality, refined craftsmanship.
This watch is gorgeous. I am EXTREMELY pleased with the watch. It has such an elegant, refined, classic look all while looking and feeling like a true tool watch. The fit and finish is excellent. The proportions are dead on. I absolutely love the bracelet. It has its own vibe. It is very comfortable. It is more on the mid-to lighter weight as far as bracelets go. I really appreciate this. I work with my hands and I feel comfortable wearing this watch. It wears fairly slim/low on the wrist even with the boxed domed sapphire. The sapphire is executed SO WELL. reminiscent of 1940’s & 1950’s Swiss moonphase watch crystals in my collection. Something to keep in mind - the solid end links do not articulate completely so, this causes the effective lug to lug dimensions to be a bit longer than the actual lug to lug measurement. I went back and forth for days and days trying to decide which case size to go with. I have a wrist size of 175mm. Due to the end links I would highly recommend the 39mm. Unless of course you have a large wrist (I’m thinking over 7.5”?). The Sellita sw200-1 movement has been running better than I had hoped for averaging +2.5 spd on my model. To echo a few of the reviews I have heard the only “negative” feature on the watch would be the clasp. I actually have no problem with the clasp, but it does seem like a bit of an afterthought because the rest of the watch is so beautifully executed.
I am EXTREMELY pleased with Yema. The communication with the team at Yema was easy, convenient and helpful. David, Celine & Martine are the folks that answered all my questions in a timely, efficient & pleasant manner.
Shipping was fast! I placed my order on a Sunday night and received the watch (USA) on Thursday.
I cannot say enough positive things about my experience. I highly recommend the brand. Customer service was great. I highly recommend this watch, especially for someone looking for that vintage look/feel but with modern reliably and other aspects.
LOVE my Yema Superman Heritage Blue!!!!
Again same taste. I have the Yema 39mm "Armee de l'Aire" special edition on order. Supposed to arrive end of July...
Good choice
I got a 41mm one. I love it. How’s your experience been of yours?
Have you started wearing your watches a little bit lower on the wrist? It looks like it and if so, how come you started changing it up?
Best wishes
Fantastic wrist shots and a great video overall! Love the domed crystal on this one.
Looking forward to the full review! maybe you should also talk about Yema's history and how the Superman was standard issue for the French Airforce in 1963! The brand actually has a lot of history.
Great idea, thank you
Theirs no lume pip on the bezel which is a shame. Probably for a few reasons. It would make the sapphire insert fragile and the crown lock could catch on it.
What is the function of the numbered bezel on the watch.
Finally you review this 😏 I can’t buy a watch until you touch it Bruce and I’ve been missing out on the best dressy diver 😏😂
Lol!
Wow, you sold me, what a beautiful watch, spoke to David at Yema, pre-orders for the limited edition 63 starts July 6! Do you like the 63 or the Heritage Blue? What say you?
@@s.c.7927 Hi SC, are you familiar with these watches, regarding the quality, the look? I know the clasp sucks, but I will replaced with a single pass strap anyway, not a big bracelet person. What do you think?
It's a beauty.
The thing I never understood with the Yemas : that lock which needs to unscrew the crown to turn the rotating bezel ... You cannot do that underwater right ? So what s the point ?
I just received 2 Yema's that I purchased directly from Yema, both without the steel bracelet. The watches are outstanding and one of the watchworlds best kept secrets. I've read several reviews that mentioned the steel bracelet isn't the same quality as the watch. Yema needs to provide quality bracelets in all sizes to fit their watches.
Congrats Gary! I really like the bracelet, it is just the clasp that I would like to see some improvement in personally
@@BruceWilliams Glad to hear you like the bracelet. A number of reviews on TH-cam make comments that the bracelet doesn't match the quality of the watch. I love these watches. Thanks for all the effort you put into your videos!
Hi Bruce. It would be interesting to know what you think of the watch compared to other 1000$ watches like Oris or Seiko (especially the new 40mm seiko).
I held one Yema in hand in Paris a few years ago and it felt "cheap" in the hand, the bracelet was too light and flimsy and the crown lock thing for the bezel seemed more like a gadget than anything. But that may have been a quartz movement version I can't recall.
I ask because Seiko's feel quite consistent despite their many flaws. They feel like you have a solid piece of machinery in hand.
To your point about COSC movement, they also do their own in house Yema mouvement. Looks like the Navigraf (which I like a lot based on photos) has it, as well as the special edition French air force.
I’ve been looking at these for a few months. What hurts is paying in Canadian dollars. Which is a problem for most watches or maybe a blessing or I’d have more.
A very elegant sports diver indeed.
I use the bezel as timer all the time and I know a lot of people do the same...so that locking mechanism is really a downer
I own the Bronze case Superman. It's a nice watch but wouldn't pay near the retail for is. Unique for the price in a Bronze from the secondary used market.
The clasp is a weak point. Kind of reminds me of how Sinn makes great watch cases and bracelets but garbage clasps. I have owned a bunch of them and they let down the total package. Those Yemas are rad, though.
A great company with genuine history. I added a Yema Superman maxi dial 2 in my collection about 4 months ago . The reason I went for this particular watch was they use their newly developed 100% inhouse movement MBP 1000 . 31 jewels and so far running about 5 sec to the + .They spent 3 million dollars developing this movement and so far it's definitely lived up to the advertising. I'm not sure why they are not putting that movement in all their divers other than they may have an inventory of ETA movements left . Anyway, great choice . If you decide to keep it , you will enjoy it .
That is awesome Tim!!
It would be interesting to see it side by side with the larger version, which I believe has a different bracelet too.
Finishing on index’s looks rough. I bought a yema Ralleygraf 6 months ago was less than impressed basically gave it to my friend for a quarter of the price know this is higher end in their range but not sure.
Good review, but I think the Navygraf seems to be better value.
That bracelet is gorgeous...
Finishing on the dial looks a bit rough there under magnification. You can do better at this price point, and even below.
Right On Bruce @ 4:33; I've always believed that statement to be very true.
While I like the Superman, the Navygraf is the one that has me in it's thrall... I hate watches without a date, but the Navygraf may get a pass on that.
I like the dressiness of my Heritage Blue, but, I do like the "toolness" of the Navygraf. I've been kicking around the idea of picking one up if I can replace the crystal with a box crystal (the original Navygraf had box). They're both 39mm, so, I'm hoping that a Heritage Blue crystal might fit it.
Didn't Yema designed and made their own movement?
They do now have an in-house movement.
Another great video, Bruce. The clasp isn't sharp and crisp like the bracelet. Imagine your Hulk with a rounded clasp. Also, the bezel pip not lumed? Nice watch but kind of a deal breaker. I'd be more tempted by the maxi dial version with in house movement. According to the website, less money, too.
That one does look really bold
@@BruceWilliams Too bold, maybe.
my brother is on the precipice of buying this. Just deciding between this version and the one with the round lume plots. I love it. Agree that COSC option would be fantastic. I can't believe Oris doesn't offer this!
Maybe oneday. I think Oris should spend less time developing complicated movements, and put the R&D into a good COSC three hander
Bruce Williams totally agree .
Is that a Microtech Combat Troodon?
Respect!
The trouble with Yema's bezel lock system is that you need to unscrew the crown if you want to time anything with the bezel... I won't go there.
Holy crap that crystal looks delicious and really reminds me of Lorier
I bought the black dial when it came out a few yrs back. I do like it but I find I wear it less and less but when I wear it I like it.
I forgot to mention that I attended a watch event here in NYC last year and was wearing my Yema Superman and the editor in chief of Watchtime Magazine was there and he hadn’t seen the Yema in person and did love the retro looks of the watch.
You are one of the pre-bandwagon fans!
love my black superman heritage. agree that the clasp is a bit of a let down but its not a deal breaker. at least its slim and doesnt detract from the taper of the bracelet.
PS can you show the drape of the h-link bracelet in the full review? the flair of the first link hits the lugs and prevents it from laying flat on the case back from what i've heard. Thanks!
I agree, its no deal breaker. I sure can. The bracelet can lay flat across the caseback, but you need to pull it over the second link and not the first one like you mentioned
I wouldn't get this version, due to the lume (or lack thereof), but the Superman is quite a compelling piece.
Does the bezel locker come off? I don't like it!
Love that bracelet
Uuuugh those polished center links...
Where can I get one? Not readily available. Not sold in jomashop
Link is in the description. They are running a summer sale right now too
This week YEMA reach out, next week Patek? You never know Bruce! 👍
lol fingers crossed!
Early! Great work Bruce!
Thank you Young Soo Kim
Love that H link!
I'm with you
clasp looks very out of place here, have to agree with you Bruce
ocarat have this for 552 euro,only disadvantage is mineral glass
It is indeed a beaut on the wrist...
I guess if you just want to produce positive content, that's ok. What about doing a dedicated video of watches that don't make whatever your criteria are ? There maybe people on the fence, or just lack the knowledge about a particular piece, and your honest review, may prevent them from making a $1000 mistake. The fact that it remains you of a Seiko, should be a red flag. Buy a Seiko. $500. I've got a 1984 Seiko turtle 6309-7049, I've owned since 1984. I own an Aquaracer, and am waiting for my Omega 300 coaxial, so I've done a lot of research. The turtle? Works fine. The Aquaracer? Not a fan, and I've owned it 10 years. The Omega? No date, understated, no helium escape valve, and I've never seen one in the wild. Will i like it ? Remains to be seen. I went to an AD boutique and checked it out. Grey market, half price, awesome. I don't like it, i can sell it,and maybe make a couple dollars. I live on a sailboat, i dive,I paint yachts, so it will be tested. My opinion? You're looking for a dependable, tough beater? Go with whatever iteration of the turtle they're producing. $1000 for a beater ? No thanks....
I bought the superman last year.. and I have to say I actually didn’t like it as much as I thought I would.
It looks the part but just feels like it’s dressed up to be something it clearly isn’t and for that reason I don’t think the price point is great.
I also noticed how cheap the clasp looks and feels, that was a big let down for me.
I will also mention that they also seem desperate for sales.. constant discounts and emails and as soon as you go on their website, that annoying chat bot comes on the screen telling you to buy quickly for a 15% discount.. just lacks a bit of class.
But this is all just my opinion, plenty of people like the brand and enjoy their watches.. to each their own.
This looks a very well made piece . However it’s too similar in aesthetic to so many vintage inspired divers for me . There are so many oris 65 styled pieces it’s been done to death and it dosent really inspire me . May be a good option if you are in the market for such a pieces ..
I agree that you need to enjoy vintage watches to get the most out of this one. Yema has had some fun history I do like that they are revisiting it
Sorry but I don't see anything like an Oris 65 in this Superman. And the Superman has more heritage than the 65...
I do like it . It does appear to be done well .i do like the fact that they are pushing the boat out to give a bit more for for your cash . However I would like to see them pushing on and not just focusing on the past .
Nice watch but the drilled lugs is a turn off. Not sure why that's becoming so popular as it makes a watch look unrefined especially this one with the sides of the lugs being polished. Then you have the pinhole for the link lying right next to the drilled lug. That's a turn off.
I will just save my money for another Rolex. ;-)
Let’s be honest...this watch is a pretty bad...my pip doesn’t even line up with 12 o’clock. Very Overpriced and OVER HYPED. Last Time I trust your reviews! Hope you got yours for Free!
Beautiful watch! But I'm put off by the fact that they use Kickstarter. For a brand which supposedly has heritage, that's pretty ghetto.
Hey Bruce, good morning. I just uploaded my review of the Yema Superman Heritage 63. I’d appreciate it if you gave it a view, please & thank you. Have a great weekend.
It's an infomercial
Long lug/bracelet length
This watch screams 1960 ies
A bit overhyped.. quality is like a french car it does the job.
It's your money. Don't compare to a Rolex please
That bezel lock is comical
Yema?!
If it's not a Rolex, it's just another watch!
?
Rolex is also just another watch my friend
@@BruceWilliams I beg to differ Bruce:) I started buying watches a few months ago. But after buying a Rolex I understood. Rolex is a symbol, a sign.
You wear any green divers watch and people look at it and their first impression is oh you're wearing a hulk. If you are not a watch fan,
I highly doubt it if you're wearing a vacheron constantin and anyone would recognize it :)
I don't like divers watches nor do I like the cyclops so I bought the OP black and I wear it every day and the way it sits on the wrist. It's pure perfection. Not trying to spread hate, own a yema myself. Just shared my opinion :) I think next month I'll buy the White OP as well.
Watches Are Not Jewelry!!!!!!
lol Jewelry that has a dual purpose beyond looking pretty
Overpriced af and what's worse is that it's a FRENCH brand.