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The must-have Macro Loupe for all watch lovers

When I landed on the Venezianico website, I was looking for an Italian watch.

Not so much out of curiosity, but because of a part of my heritage. And then, bam! It turns out it's a Venetian brand, where my grandparents are from. So I jumped at the chance, browsed their website, and was pleasantly surprised. More than just watches, they're true works of art. They sometimes release special dials that nod to Venice's history with China. But the one that really caught my eye, especially because of its depth, is the Ultra Black. Incredibly understated (it only has three hands and the brand logo), and with a dial treatment that creates a deep black, this model also gives off subtle bluish reflections with its crystal. A gem to have in your collection and to wear out in the evening.

A sober and very elegant Italian woman

Last year, I wanted to buy a watch from my birth year: 1975.
I didn't have a specific brand in mind, but I wondered which ones had made their mark during that period. SEIKO seemed like the obvious choice. I mentioned it to a friend who recommended another watchmaker specializing in that brand. After that, it was almost like a game. He offered me four watches from my birth year. I chose this one immediately (even though the others were very beautiful). Its teal dial, its compact size, and the fact that it was already a technological advancement for its time. This 23-jewel LM Special captivated me. The watchmaker who sold it to me even gave it a little restoration.
I don't wear it every day, but when I do, it gets quite a reaction, especially when I mention its age and the fact that it's as well-preserved (or better) than I am. :)

A pure beauty that has not aged over time

For a long time, I'd wanted to own a pre-owned Yema. The brand holds a special place in my heart. On the one hand, its origins and longevity, but also the initials of my wife, my daughters, and myself.

I was specifically looking for a Rallygraf. When I came across the ad for this one, I was instantly captivated. Its almost pearly white dial and red stripes truly reminded me of racing cars from years past.
This chronograph runs beautifully and looks fantastic with its black racing leather strap. The icing on the cake is that this model seems to be quite rare.

A Rallygraf representative of races from yesteryear

I discovered SYE at Time Fest in Bordeaux in 2025. There were many other brands with watches, each as beautiful as the next. But I was truly captivated by SYE and Arnaud, its creator.

It was primarily the innovative design of the strap that won me over. It blends seamlessly with the watch, is comfortable, and practical.

Moreover, it's easy to change. I chose the Bullitt Titanium and added a strap. The dial offers stunning reflections, and the hour markers and hands stand out beautifully.

This Bullitt is incredible, I've fallen in love with it

I'd been looking for a Seiko for a while, but without any specific details.
I came across this rather rare Presage, which immediately captivated me when I saw it and picked it up. A rather light watch for an automatic. Its textured white dial is magnificent, and depending on the angle, you can admire the blued hands. The Breguet-style numerals are perfect. In short, impeccable readability.
The leather strap has a rather reassuring and thin closure system, as well as being comfortable.
6R15S movement / 23 jewels. The 40.5 mm diameter fits comfortably on my 19.5 cm wrist.

An attractive Seiko, traditional but with style

This is my first review of a watch, and I hope it's a good fit.
At first, I wasn't keen on a Victorinox, having only known the brand through their knives.
Then, while visiting a retailer, I was won over. I was looking for a simple, efficient, and robust quartz watch.
That's when I came across this model, one of the last available.
I was looking for a blue, legible dial. I got it. Even more so at night.
Lightweight, comfortable to wear, and a decent size (40mm, but I have a nice wrist).
I felt like it was nothing special, and yet, I enjoy wearing it regularly.
I like the Army look, being a former soldier myself. :)

A simple and effective toolwatch for every day

Yema is born in Besan&ccedil;on (France) in 1948 under the drive of Henry-Louis Belmont, the brand established itself with robust tool watches aimed at diving, motorsport, aviation and even spaceflight, keeping a Franche-Comt&eacute; industrial footprint and a design identity that is immediately recognizable.
<h3>Superman and bezel-lock: a French take on the diver&rsquo;s tool</h3>
The brand&rsquo;s emblem, the 1963 Superman, introduced a bezel-locking device adjacent to the crown, designed to prevent accidental rotation underwater and turned into a signature detail of modern re-editions&mdash;a simple, legible solution that embodies the tool-watch brief while asserting angular casework and a very &ldquo;instrumental&rdquo; mid-case, resulting in confident wrist presence without sacrificing function.
Beyond the lock itself, alternating brushed and polished planes define crisp volumes, generous markers secure readability, and water-resistance targets real use, so the look flows from function; this coherence&mdash;often imitated in spirit but hard to reproduce in detail&mdash;anchors the Superman as the quintessential &ldquo;French diver,&rdquo; worn as much for its stance as for its endurance, with a technical signature instantly spotted by seasoned enthusiasts.
<h3>Rallye, Rallygraf, Meangraf, Yachtingraf: racing and regatta chronographs</h3>
In the 1960s&ndash;1970s, Yema produced graphic, highly legible chronographs linked to car racing (Rallye/Rallygraf, Meangraf) and sailing (Yachtingraf), with high-contrast dials and purposeful scales; the lineage lives on in current re-issues and in emblematic anecdotes, such as Mario Andretti&rsquo;s chronograph during the 1969 Indy 500, evidence that the brand accompanied real competitive use with simple, robust solutions built around readability in demanding conditions.
<ul>
<li>Yema Rallygraf &mdash; &ldquo;Racing&rdquo; spirit, contrasting sub-dials, clear markers.</li>
<li>Yema Meangraf &mdash; Bold 1970s codes, immediate legibility, strong graphics.</li>
<li>Yema Yachtingraf &mdash; Regatta timing features, nautical aesthetics.</li>
<li>Yema Flygraf &mdash; Pilot-oriented, purposeful field readability.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Spationaute and CNES: Yema&rsquo;s journey into space</h3>
On June 24, 1982, Jean-Loup Chr&eacute;tien, the first Frenchman in space, launched to Salyut 7 wearing a Yema Spationaute&mdash;recognized as the first Western European watch flown into orbit&mdash;kicking off a series tied to CNES missions; the episode bolsters the image of a broadly accessible brand meeting exacting briefs while fueling a national narrative where a wrist-borne instrument serves as a mission companion that is pragmatic, durable and symbolic at once.
Beyond the space anecdote, the point is continuity: an &ldquo;instrument&rdquo; mindset, contrasted hands and bezel, robustness prioritized over ornament, and respectful nods to period graphics; it is less the one-off feat than the way it permeates the collections that matters, with editions that recall the lineage without caricature so as to cultivate a technical memory serving modern-day use.
<h3>&ldquo;in-house&rdquo; movement path: MBP1000, YEMA2000/3000 and CMM.20</h3>
Industrially, Yema communicates a gradual strengthening of its own calibres: after MBP1000 (announced in 2011), YEMA2000 (three-hand) and YEMA3000 (GMT) update the base with an emphasis on precision and durability, then a &ldquo;CMM.20&rdquo; micro-rotor of manufacture grade crowns the range&mdash;conceived, developed and assembled in French workshops&mdash;an offer meant to combine accessibility and independence through a measured progression rather than a speculative leap.
In practice, these evolutions coexist with references powered by other suppliers depending on era and use; coherence across the lineup relies as much on case architecture and perceived quality as on the movement spec itself, so the buyer&rsquo;s key step is to define the need (three-hand, GMT, chrono) and weigh what each calibre brings in power reserve, accuracy and service, to secure a credible technical match to the intended use.
<h3>Relocalization, workshops and distribution: a Besan&ccedil;on&ndash;Morteau through-line</h3>
Geographic anchoring remains a cue: between historic Besan&ccedil;on and today&rsquo;s development/assembly in Morteau, the brand structures a value chain re-centered on Franche-Comt&eacute; while keeping targeted external partners&mdash;an organization aiming to secure skills and lead times and to better control quality upstream, in a spirit of industrial proximity and traceability of key operations.
On the distribution side, Yema blends direct sales with selected retailers and builds editorial context around re-issues (Superman 63, Navygraf, Rallygraf) and their updates; scarcity is not artificially staged but comes from reasonable volumes and production cycles, hence the value, for enthusiasts, of tracking availability windows and trying sizes at the right time to lock a choice that is informed, personal and grounded in real use.&nbsp;
<h3>Positioning and pricing: a clear-identity French tool-watch</h3>
Yema&rsquo;s stance is easy to read: tool watches with strong design at studied prices relative to spec (exact public ranges: not disclosed), options in steel, bronze, titanium or ceramic depending on the line, and stepping up via complications or in-house movements; the value equation lies in the balance of design/function and in the stated French industrial narrative, appealing to enthusiasts of characterful &ldquo;tools&rdquo; more than to seekers of overtly decorative luxury pieces.
Value in use, however, hinges on ownership fit: bracelet comfort, lug-to-lug, dial contrast, night legibility and water-resistance aligned with your activities; put differently, the right Yema is the one that disappears into the action&mdash;swimming, driving, flying, sailing&mdash;while keeping its aesthetic signature, which calls for trying multiple diameters and thicknesses to validate stable, morphology-friendly wearing comfort.
<h3>Choosing your Yema: sizing, context and care</h3>
Start by defining dominant use: daily versatility (Navygraf, &ldquo;skin&rdquo; Superman), nautical activity (Yachtingraf), automotive (Rallygraf/Meangraf), aviation (Flygraf); then confirm real-world size (diameter/thickness/lug-to-lug) and bracelet ergonomics, and arbitrate between a recent &ldquo;in-house&rdquo; calibre and a proven third-party option according to your technical appetite and service constraints&mdash;the aim being long-term coherence among style, function and maintenance.
<ul>
<li>Yema Superman &mdash; Emblematic diver, bezel lock, strong identity.</li>
<li>Yema Navygraf &mdash; High-contrast legibility, versatile marine spirit.</li>
<li>Yema Rallygraf &mdash; Racing codes, readable chronographs.</li>
<li>Yema Yachtingraf &mdash; Regatta indications, nautical styling.</li>
<li>Yema Flygraf &mdash; Pilot orientation, clear functional cues.</li>
</ul>
For care, follow service intervals and have water-resistance checked after any shock or opening; clean bracelet and bezel recesses regularly, and remember that precise adjustment and appropriate lubrication extend timekeeping stability&mdash;simple habits that underpin everyday performance over the long run.
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
Yema addresses enthusiasts who want expressive tool watches rooted in a French narrative and designed for use first&mdash;diving, road, cockpit or deck. You recognize them by crisp dials, forthright cases and design details that prioritize function. To decide, start from your real practice, refine by size and readability, then choose between heritage re-editions and contemporary interpretations. Finally, cross-check your pick with Dialicious customer reviews to validate long-term relevance.
(Updated October 2025)

La marque SYE [Start Your Engine] a &eacute;t&eacute; cr&eacute;&eacute;e en 2020 par Arnaud Pezeron &agrave; c&ocirc;t&eacute; de Paris en France. La marque inaugure le Sport Tailoring au poignet. Elle propose des montres sport-chic de caract&egrave;re, fiables, ludiques et abordables inspir&eacute;es de l'univers de la m&eacute;canique auto-moto. La gamme comprend deux mod&egrave;les distincts, la <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/sye/mot1on_automatic_24">SYE MOT1ON Automatic 24 </a>et la <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/sye/mot1on_chronograph">SYE MOT1ON Chronograph</a>.
Cette marque embarque une innovation sur le changement du bracelet disponible en acier ou en cuir. La montre n'offre aucun espace entre le bracelet et la boite d&ucirc; &agrave; l&rsquo;absence de cornes, ce qui am&eacute;liore son confort et sa portabilit&eacute;.
<h2 class="p1">Combien co&ucirc;te une montre&nbsp;SYE&nbsp;?</h2>
La gamme SYE comporte deux mod&egrave;les disponibles sur le site de la marque : La SYE MOT1ON Automatic 24 est propos&eacute;e &agrave; partir de 750&euro;. La SYE MOT1ON Chronograph est propos&eacute;e &agrave; partir de 599 &euro;.
SYE est ind&eacute;pendante et produit plusieurs centaines montres par an tous mod&egrave;les confondus. Pour choisir une SYE qui vous correspond le mieux, les avis clients Dialicious sont une pr&eacute;cieuse ressource pour &eacute;valuer chacun des diff&eacute;rents mod&egrave;les &agrave; travers l'exp&eacute;rience r&eacute;elle des clients.
Consultez le <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/top/les_meilleures_marques_de_montres_francaises">Classement des meilleures marques de montres fran&ccedil;aises</a> dont SYE fait partie.
(Mise &agrave; jour Novembre 2023)

The brand SYE [Start Your Engine] was created in 2020 by Arnaud Pezeron near Paris in France. The brand is introducing Sport Tailoring on the wrist. It offers sporty-chic watches with character, reliability, fun and affordability inspired by the world of car and motorcycle mechanics. The range includes two distinct models, the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/sye/mot1on_automatic_24"> SYE MOT1ON Automatic 24</a> and the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/sye/mot1on_chronograph"> SYE MOT1ON Chronograph</a>.
This brand has an innovation in changing the bracelet available in steel or leather. The watch offers no space between the bracelet and the case due to the absence of lugs, which improves its comfort and portability.
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does a SYE watch cost?</h2>
The SYE range includes two models available on the brand's website: The SYE MOT1ON Automatic 24 is offered from &euro; 750. The SYE MOT1ON Chronograph is offered from &euro; 599.
SYE is independent and produces several hundred watches per year, all models combined. To choose an SYE that best suits you, the Dialicious owners' reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating each of the different models through real customer experience.
Check out the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_french_watch_brands">Ranking of the best French watch brands</a>, including SYE.
(Updated November 2023)

Dourniz's review on his Yema Rallygraf Meca-Quartz

A Rallygraf representative of races from yesteryear

Where to buy your Yema?

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Other reviews published by Dourniz

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Customize your Yema with our selection of accessories:

Iconic Switzerland

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Dourniz's review on his Yema Rallygraf Meca-Quartz

A Rallygraf representative of races from yesteryear

Where to buy your Yema?

YOU ARE :

Other reviews published by Dourniz

VenezianicoRedentore

SeikoLord Matic

SYEMOT1ON ChronographBullitt Titanium

SeikoPresage

VictorinoxSwiss Army Heritage

Customize your Yema with our selection of accessories:

Iconic Switzerland

Eagle Eye Watches

Venezianico
Redentore

Seiko
Lord Matic

SYE
MOT1ON Chronograph
Bullitt Titanium

Seiko
Presage

Victorinox
Swiss Army Heritage