YEMA presents the new Superman French Air Force Collection, comprising automatic and quartz watches.
The highly celebrated partnership between the iconic French watchmaking brand and France’s Air Force dates back to the 1970s. The first YEMA French Air Force tool watches were made to equip the Air Force Diver Rescuers team during helicopter-borne sea rescue missions.
Since then, YEMA has been providing indestructible and high-precision timepieces to the French Air Force. The legendary YEMA Superman military watches were designed to be worn by the diver rescuers and fighter pilots of the French Air Force. The dual SEA-AIR capability makes these military tool watches highly distinguishable.
In 2020, celebrating this successful partnership and inspired by the legendary Superman Heritage, YEMA presents a re-edition of the French Air Force models. This brand new Superman French Air Force collection consists of two limited edition timepieces equipped with YEMA’s in-house caliber MBP1000. Two quartz versions are also available.
Automatic Models
The two automatic models are limited to 1,948 timepieces each. These watches come in a black PVD coated, brushed stainless steel case with steel uni-directional 0-60 bezel featuring black aluminium insert (Superman French Air Force Black) or in a brushed steel case with steel uni-directional 0-60 bezel (Superman French Air Force Steel). Two case sizes are available: 39 mm or 41 mm. Case thickness is same (13mm) for both models. Lug width of 39mm models is 19mm, and 41mm models have 20mm lug width.
YEMA’s in-house MBP1000 self-winding mechanical movement is entirely designed, developed and assembled at the Morteau workshops in France. Beats at 28,800 vph and with a power reserve of 45 hours, this movement drives hour, minute, seconds and date functions. The movement provides a minimum accuracy of accuracy of +/- 12 seconds per day.
These timepieces features a matt black dial printed with “French Air Force” logo and the colored national insignia at 6 o’clock. The blue-white-red French national insignia has been used on French military aircrafts since the First World War. The insignia is also stamped on the crown under a crystal coating.
The metal accents of the embossed white markers along the printed dark red French Air Force logo and the colored national insignia at 6 o’clock create a striking contrast against the matt black dial. The hour-markers are treated with Swiss Super-LumiNova C1.
Treated with black PVD, the hour, minute and second hands employ Swiss Super-LumiNova C1 coating to ensure excellent visibility of indications under low light conditions. The seconds-hand features a shovel head inspired by the 1970s designs.
The limited edition automatic models are fitted with a sapphire domed crystal (2.60mm thick) making it more scratch-resistant and vintage looking. The watches feature a 316L stainless steel case back with YEMA’s historic crest. Each limited edition automatic watch comes with a unique number from 0001 to 1948 regardless the diameter chosen.
The 316 L stainless steel bracelet (in black PVD or in brushed finish depending on the model) comes fitted with a diver’s extension folding clasp with minted YEMA vintage logo.
Quartz Models
YEMA also offers non-limited versions of Superman French Air Force Black and Superman French Air Force Steel models with quartz movement.
Quartz versions are available only in 39mm case size, with a thickness of 10.80 mm and 19mm lug width. These timepieces house Swiss Made RONDA 515 FE 3-hands with date quartz movements.
The materials used for the case, bezel, bracelet and case back are same as their automatic counterparts. They also feature the similar dial pattern used in automatic models. These quartz models however feature a domed mineral crystal glass (2.60mm) instead of sapphire crystal.
The automatic models are water resistant to 30 BAR (990 Feet / 300 meters) where as quartz versions offer water resistance up to 20 BAR (660 Feet / 200 meters).
Each timepiece is delivered in a blue leather travel case with French Air Force logo exclusive to the limited edition collection. The box also includes the official pilot watch canvas strap in addition to the original steel bracelet.
YEMA offers 2 years international warranty & free shipping for all Superman French Air Force watches. The brand will be donating up to 12.5% of sales to the official French Veterans Foundation (FOSA).
Technical details
YEMA Superman French Air Force Collection
Case
Brushed 316L stainless steel, black PVD coated/ Brushed 316L stainless steel
Diameter: Automatic 39 mm or 41 mm/ Quartz 39mm
Thickness: 13 mm for automatic models (Thickness of quartz model is 10.80 mm)
Lug: 19 mm or 20 mm
Steel bezel/ Steel bezel with black aluminium insert; Unidirectional graduated 0-60
Screw-down crown (In Steel or black PVD coated steel) Stamped French Air Force national insignia stamped under a crystal coating
Glass: Domed Sapphire Crystal (Automatic models)/ Domed Mineral Crystal (Quartz models); 2.60 mm thickness
Water resistance: 30 BAR / 990 Feet / 300 m (Automatic models) and 20 BAR/660 Feet / 200 meters (Quartz models)
Movements
Automatic caliber MBP1000 French In-House Movement
– Self winding with ball bearings rotor
– 31 Rubies
– 28 800 A/h
– Minimum accuracy of +/- 12 seconds per day
– Observed accuracy of +/- 6 seconds per day
– Power reserve: 45 hours
RONDA 515 FE
– 3-hands with date quartz movement
Display
Hours, minutes, seconds
Date at 3 o’clock
Dial
Matt black with stamped French Air Force logo dark red logo
Stamped French Air Force national insignia at 6 o’clock
Minute/Seconds track consisting of 60 white marks
Embossed markers applied by hand
Triangular marker at 12 o’clock (luminescent zero mark)
Super-LumiNova C1
Hands
Iconic “Arrow” hours and “Shovel” seconds steel hands, black PVD coated
Super-LumiNova C1
Bracelet
Black PVD coated, light-weighting 316L stainless steel with brushed effect/ Light-weighting 316L stainless steel with brushed effect
Diver’s extension folding clasp with minted YEMA vintage logo
Retail price
- Black Limited Edition (Automatic): $ 1,199.00 USD
- Steel Limited Edition (Automatic): $ 999.00 USD
- Black Quartz: $ 549.00 USD
- Steel Quartz: $ 499.00 USD
