Launched in 1948 and finding its heyday from the ‘60s through the ‘80s, especially in the motorsports community, YEMA is one of France’s most significant watchmaking brands. Following a full rebranding in 2018, the company has been bringing back old favorites as well as debuting new in-house movements.
Billing itself as the first ultra-thin micro-rotor French movement, the 3.7mm in-house automatic Manufacture Morteau 20 has been placed inside YEMA’s new Wristmaster Traveller Micro-Rotor, which is inspired by the brand’s Wristmasters from the ‘60s. Perhaps just as unprecedented are the three unique color options for the movement — blue, green, or black — each visible through a sapphire crystal caseback and meant to match its respective dial color.
Boasting 100m of water resistance, the watch itself is just 9.2mm thick, sporting a 39mm stainless steel case and integrated bracelet. While most integrated bracelets are placed at the luxury end of the sports watch category, this Wristmaster Traveller Micro-Rotor falls in line with YEMA’s fair price points.
As a nod to the year the company was established, the watch is being released in a limited quantity of just 1,948 pieces, which can be purchased now on Kickstarter for €1,499 (~$1,553) each, around half of its future retail price.
