Yesterday, YEMA announced its first ever Navygraf chronograph with a pair of Valjoux-powered timepieces: the Navygraf Chrono and the Navygraf Chrono UTC. The iconic Navygraf design has been a staple in the brand’s catalogue since the 1970s; however, it has always remained a three-hander throughout its various iterations. Now, you can have it in a tri-compax, lever-action chronograph. Preordering opened yesterday with a promise of shipping in December.
The polished 316L stainless steel Navygraf case remains familiar with a slim mid-case bevel, running lug to lug. The watch measures 40mm in diameter with an increase in thickness to 13.9mm, due in part to the automatic chronograph movement within. Its crown is screw-down, as is the case back–which is also decorated in the brand’s historic crest. The watch promises 100m of water resistance, which is good for a chronograph.
The UTC dial offers up a highly legible, bright yellow pencil handset, along with similarly printed “exclamation point” markers that have come to characterise this model. The broad hands and indices have all been treated with Grade A Super-LumiNova, as well, to guarantee continued readability after dark. It comes with a 12-hour UTC, scratch-resistant bi-directional sapphire bezel, which can also function as a basic GMT.
The Chrono dial remains faithful to its own history, as well, but comes in a deep sea blue with high contrast white indicators and hands. For its part, the Chrono sports a similar bi-directional sapphire bezel, but with a more traditional 60-minute countdown index.
Both references posses a beautiful 1.8mm double-domed sapphire crystal that offers vintage distortions without sacrificing legibility. It has been treated with an undercoating of AR.
Behind the Navygraf dial you’ll find the legendary ETA/Valjoux 7750. The swiss chronograph caliber has been ubiquitous in the industry since its inception in 1973, and renowned for its reliability. It’s a 4Hz movement with a central chronograph hand and 3 sub-dials stacked at 6, 9, and 12. It has 25 jewels and a 48-hour power reserve.
The Navygraf Chrono and the Chrono UTC come with your choice of bracelet, Viton rubber, or full grain leather.
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Specs
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel (/w a gold PVD iteration) 40mm Diameter 13.9mm Thick 20mm Lug Width Screw Down Case Back & Crown Bi-directional Sapphire Bezel |
| Dial & Crystal | Double-domed Sapphire Crystal Printed “Exclamation” Markers Pencil Handset BGW9 Grade A Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | ETA/VAljoux 7750 25 Jewels 28 800bph 3 Sub-dials: Running Secs, 30-Minute Timer, 12-Hour Index 48-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Choice: Stainless Steel Bracelet Viton Rubber Full Grain Leather |
YEMA Navygraf Chrono & Chrono UTC
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Final Thoughts
The last two years have been a period of rapid expansion for YEMA. Not only have they been pushing the envelope with new technology, in the form of in-house movements, but they have also been back-filling their popular catalogue with new iterations like the Worldtimer, Superman GMT 500, and the Navygraf Bronze. They have also gone far down the road of special and limited editions, like the Superman FAF. In fact, the strength of this back catalogue appears to have no end, as they breathe new life into quirky, vintage references like the Meangraf Sous-Marine and more. Fans of the brand, and of the Navygraf in particular, will celebrate this latest inventive and no doubt wish to add it to their growing collections.
The pair of chronos range in price from $1849USD on leather, to $1949USD on steel, and $1990USD on Vinton rubber. For more information, please visit the brand website.
About the author
Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.
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Excellent Article Robi 👍🏽 So many wonderful advances at Yema especially this year🙌🏽 I’m looking so forward to the Micro-rotor which I really feel is going to a push into a much higher end market.
Completely agree. Thanks for reading.
This is a first for me seeing the Navygraf from Yema outside of their Superman & Rallygraf collection, Nonetheless – it’s still stunning!
Black & Yellow colours make me think of Bumblebee. They complement each other beautifully!