Yema is a relatively unknown brand in the watch world, despite existing since 1948 and having undergone several ownership changes, the most notable being its acquisition by the French group Montres Ambre in 2009.
Today, we have the pleasure of introducing their stunning new model, the Superman Slim, which is a variant of the classic Superman model, reduced in size, reworked, and equipped with its own CMM.20 caliber known for using a micro-rotor.
Design Updates and Improvements
The modern Superman watch series is a reissue of the 1969 model, originally designed as functional diving watches with an impressive 300-meter water resistance for its time. The 1963 Superman model was notable not only for its unique dial with large triangular markers but also for the case shape, which always looked very slim with sharp lugs. One of the main distinctive features of modern watches remains: next to the crown is a bezel-locking device, which is, of course, used by professional divers to prevent accidental bezel movement from the chronometer.
Over time, the Superman model has undergone various updates, and in the current Slim version, you'll notice the dial now resembles a vintage Submariner with round markers. Personally, I think Yema should have retained the original 1963 markers to maintain its individuality rather than conforming to the Submariner trend, but this is literally my only complaint about the watch.
Besides the obvious aesthetic of the dial, a significant update to the Superman Slim we have today is the reduction in thickness. The watch has been made thinner by a whole 1 mm, which is very significant for any type of watch, let alone sports diving watches. How was this achieved, you ask? Yema simply equipped the Superman with its own CMM.20 movement, which was made very thin due to the use of a micro-rotor, allowing Yema to create a slimmer case.
In addition to updating the case and overall dimensions, slight changes were also made to the hands: they were made of polished steel, and the “shovel” style second hand was replaced with an original “club” from the first 1963 Superman model. The dial itself is also now made of lacquered enamel, which gives the dial a beautiful shine and depth.
Wrist Fit
All the aforementioned improvements lead to a rather unique and inspiring wrist fit. As someone who reviews and works with watches daily, I rarely encounter modern watches like these, with their calculated enhancements. Many small brands these days tend to use interchangeable movements, which unfortunately limits their creativity when it comes to the rest of the watch parts. This can't be said of the Superman Slim, which truly looks like a “one of a kind” due to the attention paid to its proportions, curves, and retro domed glass.
The watch with a 39-millimeter case, unsurprisingly, sits perfectly on my small 6.5-inch wrist, drawing attention not by size or sparkle, but by its 1963 look that perhaps only avid enthusiasts would notice. The sloping sides of the case gracefully transition into a tapered bracelet, and when I look at the watch, the flare on the side of the case is very accentuated, more so than is usually seen on diving watches. This bulge of the case is emphasized by the prominently protruding crowns, which, unlike some crowns with square ends, perfectly match each other.
Although these are undoubtedly diving watches, Yema's goal was to create stylish diving watches that can be worn with more formal outfits, and they have definitely achieved this goal.
CMM.20 Caliber
We should touch upon Yema's proprietary movement. This movement is a true feat of engineering. Not only is it very thin, but it also looks stunning with black finishing thanks to the use of ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) technology. I can't recall ever seeing a movement with such a matte dark decorative finish, and I love it.
The movement is visible through the watch's case back, and you'll notice how clean and organized it looks. Many movements, while impressive, look very complex and convoluted, like on the Seagull 1963 watches. The CMM.20 looks clean and elegant, with graceful bridges and some color thanks to exposed precious stones and a tungsten micro-rotor. If you want to delve deeper into the specific components used in these movements, and I recommend you do, just visit Yema's page with all the details about the CMM.20.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I am very impressed with the Yema Superman Slim and believe that at its price of $2,490 USD, it represents great value. You not only get a watch with an interesting heritage but also a watch that has undergone decades of improvements. It is a modern gentleman's diver with Swiss and French roots, and I highly recommend you check it out if you have the opportunity.