This Wednesday, YEMA will once again make foray in the world of motorsports with the release of a brand new automatic chronograph–the Rallye 5 Turbo Limited Edition. Building on the success of its sold out Speegraf (restock coming September 2023) and the popular Rallye Andretti Limited Edition, the new Rallye 5 Turbo pays homage to the eponymous French rally car from Renault. The R5 80s hatchback is a legend in the racing world, known for its rugged construction and flashy styling–both elements that YEMA draws upon in this new chrono.

In terms of design, the Rallye 5 Turbo begins with a dark grey sand-blasted dial, reminiscent of track asphalt. Through this runs a matte black “roadway” that culminates in a 30-minute sub-register, evocative of a dashboard speedometer. To balance the layout, a sandwich-style running seconds appears opposite, picking up the colour of the pencil-style handset. Because of the tone-on-tone colourway and texturing, the dial changes drastically dependent upon the light, from deep hues of black, to smoky grey. Further lightplay occurs in the polished edges of the hands and the applied, steel markers in the outer chapter ring. Both have been treated in Grade A Super-LumiNova.

YEMA have also equipped the Rallye 5 Turbo with a tall, double-domed sapphire crystal (1.80 mm thick), which provides strong legibility and a decidedly vintage appearance.

In stark contrast to the dial, the bezel is circularly brushed steel–which sets it apart from the predominantly polished case–with a tachymetric scale, allowing you to calculate speed over distance.

Measuring in at a svelte 39mm, the case is an all new design for the brand, offering sleek, tapered lugs and an arcing profile. The pushers, in particular, are an interesting addition–modelled, as they are, after automotive pistons. The push crown is also nicely sized for easy operation, finely knurled, and signed with the long-standing YEMA logo. From lug to lug, the watch is a wearable 48mm, with a case thickness of 12mm (13.8mm /w the dome). As the timepiece is limited to only 300 exemplars, each will be individually numbered on the screw down, embossed case back. The Rallye 5 Turbo is also rated to 100m of water resistance.

YEMA has returned to the ETA 7753 this time around, as it did with the Andretti Rallye reissue a few years ago. It is a 4Hz work-horse movement with 27 jewels and a 44-hour power reserve.

The watch comes standard on a full grain leather strap, hand-fashioned in the Franche-Comté region of France, not far from the YEMA shops. It has a polished buckle which has been engraved with the brand logo, as well. In addition, the watch will come in a perforated leather travel case with a matching ball cap.

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SPECS

Case	316L Stainless Steel 39mm Diameter 48mm Lug to Lug 12mm Thick (13.8mm /w dome) 20mm Lug Width Steel Tachymetre Bezel 100m Water Resistance
Dial & Crystal	Double-Domed Sapphire Matte Grey/Black Sandwich Dial /w Sand Texture Polished Applied Markers Date @ Six 2 Sub-dials Super-LumiNova
Movement	ETA 7753 Central Chrono, Running Secs, 30-Minute Register 27 Jewels 28 800bph 44-Hour Power Reserve
Strap	Leather Rally Strap /w Polished Steel Hardware

YEMA Rallye 5 Turbo Chronograph

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Of Interest

Christoper Bôle, third-generation watchmaker and director of operations at YEMA took a lead role in the design of the Rally 5 Turbo. “First, I started drawing an immediately recognisable dial reminiscent of the very singular steering wheel shape of the 1st generation R5 Turbo, as well as chronograph’s counters and hands retaining the characteristic design codes of the car’s dashboard.” Those aesthetic choices made by Renault in 1980, represented “creative risk-taking”–not unlike the design choices being made by YEMA in the Rallye 5 Turbo, today.

Quibbles

I might have envisioned more brushing in the case design–similar to what we find on the bezel and case back–if only to be more representative of the dependable, work-a-day nature of the vehicle it represents. That being said, the R5 was also known for its flamboyant liveries.

Final Thoughts

Although we are only now in March, it is clear to see that 2023 is quickly developing as the year of the chronograph in the way that 2022 was clearly the year of the GMT. However, while many brands will be pushing motorsport and aviation inspired offerings, YEMA has managed hone in a on a very particular page in automotive history with a very limited edition which is sure to attract adherents of both the carmaker and the watch brand. The Rallye 5 Turbo denotes a playful approach to watch design that is quickly becoming a hallmark of the brand. The Rallye 5 Turbo seems right at home in a catalogue that includes such timepieces as the colourful Rallygraf and the funky Meangraf collections.

While it is still too early to tell, it does appear at this juncture, that YEMA is also bucking a trend of 42mm launches. At only 39mm in diameter–and 12mm thick–the Rallye 5 Turbo is nicely sized for the average wrist. It would be difficult at this price point to find many other chronographs using the ETA 7753 with tidier dimensions. All in all, the Rallye 5 Turbo is a well-built, off-kilter launch with a thoughtful design, worthy of the automobile it hopes to commemorate.

The YEMA Rallye 5 Turbo will retail for $2190USD. For more information, please visit the brand website.

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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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