Vintage Yema · French · Automatic Diver
Yema Automatic Diver
- Automatic
- Diver
- 300m
- Day-Date
- Rotating bezel
- Stainless steel
One piece · available in store
Serviced & tested Honest vintage condition Inspect in store
A vintage Yema automatic dive watch: a self-winding French diver with a rotating dive bezel, a day-date and 300m-style depth rating. One original vintage Yema, serviced and tested, available to buy in store in Chennai.
At a glance
Yema, founded in France in 1948, became famous for the Superman and Sous-Marine divers, the first French watches built for serious depth. This vintage Yema is an automatic diver with a rotating bezel, a day-date at 3 o'clock and a 300m-style rating, on a Swiss ETA-based movement. One original piece with honest vintage wear, available to buy at Clock House in north Chennai. Ask us for the price.
Specifications
- Brand
- Yema (France)
- Model
- Automatic diver, Superman / Sous-Marine lineage (exact reference confirmed in store)
- Type
- Automatic dive watch with day-date
- Movement
- Swiss automatic, ETA-based (exact caliber confirmed from the movement in store)
- Water resistance
- 300m-style dive rating (historic; not to be relied on today)
- Bezel
- Rotating dive bezel
- Functions
- Hours, minutes, central seconds, day and date at 3 o'clock
- Case
- Stainless steel
- Era
- Vintage; build date confirmed from the caseback in store
- Condition
- Honest vintage wear, original and unrestored
More about this Yema Diver
France's dive watch
Yema was founded in Besancon in 1948 and became the largest French watch exporter of the 1960s on the back of its Superman diver, launched in 1963 as the first publicly available watch rated beyond 300m. The Sous-Marine and other Yema divers followed, all built around a rotating dive bezel and a tough automatic movement.
This piece is one of those vintage Yema automatic divers: a self-winding diver with a rotating bezel and a day-date. We confirm the exact reference from the caseback in store.
How the dive bezel works
You set the rotating bezel's zero marker to the minute hand at the start of a dive; the bezel then counts the elapsed minutes against the minute track. It is the defining feature of a dive watch and one of the reasons Yema's divers are so collectible.
The Yema story behind this watch
A French original
Yema divers were worn by French navy and expedition divers and even went to space, giving the brand a genuine tool-watch pedigree rare among affordable vintage pieces.
Value depends on originality, especially the bezel, dial and hands, and a sound running movement.
France's tool-watch original: a vintage Yema automatic diver with its rotating bezel.
Condition & authenticity
Honest vintage, openly described
- Honest vintage wear: the case, bezel and dial carry age.
- We check in store that the movement runs and self-winds, the day-date changes, and the dive bezel rotates and indexes correctly, and that the dial and hands are original.
- The bracelet or strap may be a later replacement. The caseback is read in person, so we give you the exact reference and an honest view of originality.
- The 300m rating is historic. Water resistance on a watch this age is not to be relied on without a fresh pressure test.
In detail
Up close
Questions about the Yema Diver
Good to know
What is the Yema Automatic Diver?+
It is a vintage French automatic dive watch by Yema, with a rotating dive bezel and a day-date. Yema, founded in 1948, is famous for the Superman and Sous-Marine divers, the first French watches built for serious depth.
Is it automatic?+
Yes, it is automatic (self-winding), with a day-date, on a Swiss ETA-based movement. We read the exact caliber from the movement in store.
Can I dive or swim with it?+
The 300m rating is historic. We would not trust the water resistance of any vintage watch without a fresh pressure test, so we recommend treating it as a desk-and-dress diver unless it has been resealed.
How much is a vintage Yema diver worth and what is the price?+
Value depends on the model, originality (especially the bezel and dial) and condition. We do not publish the price online. Message us on WhatsApp or visit the shop for the price and an honest quote on this exact piece.
Where can I buy a vintage Yema watch in Chennai?+
We sell vintage Yema and other watches in store at Clock House in Kodungaiyur, north Chennai. This Yema diver is in stock now. Message us on WhatsApp or visit the shop.
Interested in this Yema Diver?
One piece, in store in Vyasarpadi, north Chennai. Message us and ask for a quote, or come in to see it.