Yema Diver Owner Review : Precise, reliable and robust

How I Discovered It I didn't know this watch existed until I came across a Yema sale. I'd been interested in their watches for a while, especially the bronze Superman FSM, but for some reason, I hadn't yet taken the plunge. However, as soon as I saw the dial and case shape of this model, I was instantly hooked. It had everything I love, a bit like Serica: a raw, robust, masculine style, and clearly vintage-inspired, which I really appreciate. I could easily imagine wearing it for any occasion. And once I saw the discounted price, around €600 instead of €1,000, I didn't hesitate for a second. It was my first Yema and only the second watch I'd purchased outside of a micro-brand. So I didn't really know what to expect, and to be honest, I didn't expect much. The Surprise When it arrived, I was really surprised when I opened the box. It's the kind of watch you have to hold in your hands to immediately understand that it's solid. It clearly stands out from other watches under €1,500 that I've tried on. And again, I got it for €600... It's hard to describe, but it's a combination of clean finishes (clean dial, well-finished hands, brushed case and bracelet), weight, and metal density that you immediately feel. First impression: excellent. Design and Aesthetics I won't dwell too much on the design because it's quite bold and might not appeal to everyone. Personally, it's exactly what I like. It quickly became my favorite watch. It's been on my wrist for three weeks now. I also note the beautiful attention to detail: brushed chamfers, multiple angles, signed crown, caseback engraved with the Yema emblem. No play, no sharp edges. Well done. Dial Again, it's mostly a matter of taste, but I like its overall design, its minimalism, and its contrast. Objectively, it's very readable in all light conditions. There's only one point I find average: the lume. It's okay, but nothing special. It glows well for a few minutes, then becomes mediocre for a few hours. Don't expect to be able to read the time clearly at the end of the night. It should be more powerful and last longer, especially for a diver. Case and Crown The case is a Monnin type. I like this shape, both round and square depending on the angle. The crown protection is spectacular. As for the crown itself, it's wide and easy to operate. And what a feeling it feels like to use it: very precise, smooth, easy to pull out and screw back in. No snags. By far the best experience I've had with a crown. The bezel has 120 clicks, it works well, but I find it a little too stiff. Perhaps it will soften over time. Otherwise, no complaints: it exudes solidity. Bracelet I'm not normally a fan of metal bracelets. My collection is almost entirely leather or textile. But here again, a pleasant surprise. First of all, it's very attractive and gives off the same feeling of density as the rest of the watch. It has weight, unlike most bracelets in this price range. I like that it's entirely brushed, which makes sense for a tool watch. It also features a simple and effective quick-adjustment system, essential for me since my wrist measures between 16.5 and 17.5 cm. A little bonus: you don't need to remove the watch to add up to 1.5 cm of length. Caliber I'm not a movement enthusiast, but I know it's powered by the in-house Yema 2000 caliber. What matters is that it's properly adjusted (checked with a timegrapher). But the timegrapher doesn't tell the whole story: yes, the watch slows down a little at night or when you're inactive. But it picks up time during the day or when you're moving. In the end, over a week, it stays within a range of +/- 2 seconds. It's my most accurate watch. The caliber is also very quiet. I never hear it or feel it vibrate. Comfort This was my biggest fear, being used to small, light, and even ultra-thin watches. I was worried it wouldn't suit me, especially since a slightly larger Alpina hadn't convinced me. But on the contrary, this watch has reconciled me with sizes above 36 mm. Thanks to its short, curved lugs, it sits perfectly on the wrist. I thought the prominent crown would bother me, but not at all. It's at just the right height and well-oriented. Weight-wise, at 140 g, it's not a light watch. But I was reassured after getting used to it in just a few minutes. It's well balanced, doesn't tilt, doesn't move, even when I'm running. Another excellent surprise, proof that numbers don't tell the whole story. Conclusion In theory, this watch wasn't for me: it's neither my type of watch (diver's), nor my usual size. But its quality and design made me rethink many of my preconceived notions. It also made me want to discover more about Yema. I feel like I got a lot for the price, much more than many competitors. I could say the same even at full price. I also appreciate their efforts to design their own models and manufacture more and more pieces in-house. I will be closely following their future releases, especially the CMM manufacture calibers. This is promising, and it's good to see a brand attempting to relocate production to France and Europe.