Yema Antimagnetic Watch Steel — Applied Copper-Tone Numerals (1960s)

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Yema Antimagnetic vintage Watch from the 1960s, 32mm steel with applied copper-toned numerals

This Yema vintage watch comes from Besançon, the capital of française watchmaking, where Henry Louis Belmont, a graduate of the National Watchmaking School in 1931, founded the brand in 1948. The name, legend has it, was born from a student competition. Yema became known for its practical, robust watches: one of the first French shock-resistant watches in the 1950s, the Superman diver in 1963, the Rallygraf chronographs for the racetrack, then the Spationaute on Jean-Loup Chrétien's wrist in 1982, the first française watch in space. In 1966, the house was France's leading watch exporter, at more than 500,000 pieces per year. This one, with Antimagnetic 17 jewels on the dial, is a mechanical watch from the 1960s, in the brand's de ville register.

Its original silvered dial bears twelve applied Arabic numerals, in relief, in a copper-toned hue that time has subtly varied from one numeral to another, over a fine minute track. Two original golden dauphine hands and a golden central seconds hand hover above them. Beneath the stylized Y, Yema; above six o'clock, Antimagnetic and 17 jewels. A light patina and a few signs of age, specific to this example.

The 32mm steel case, 38.3mm Lug-to-lug and 10mm thick, features a polished bezel and straight lugs, with a steel caseback and an acrylic Crystal; the fluted crown was replaced during the watch's lifetime. The 17-jewel hand-wound mechanical movement, antimagnetic, was serviced in 2025 by our partner watchmakers and is guaranteed for one year. The watch is fitted with a brown grained leather strap with Buckle steel, both later additions.

Three points to note

Why choose a vintage Yema watch?

This vintage Yema watch holds a distinct place among men’s and women’s vintage watches: its 32mm size suits both, and it bears the signature of française, known to collectors for its dive watches and chronographs, here in its de ville version, with applied numerals. A vintage mechanical watch by française, at an accessible entry point into authentic vintage.

Like all our vintage mechanical watches, this one has been opened and checked by our partner watchmakers: verification of the movement, examination of the dial, hands and case. Every vintage watch we offer comes with an invoice from Atelier Victor serving as a certificate, a one-year warranty, and guaranteed lifetime authenticity.

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Technical characteristics

• Brand: Yema
• Model: Antimagnetic, 17 jewels
• Estimated year: 1960s
• Origin: France (Besançon)
• Gender: Men’s and women’s watch (Unisex)
• Movement: Hand-wound mechanical, 17 jewels, antimagnetic, serviced in 2025
• Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds
• Case: Steel, round, steel caseback
• Diameter: 32mm (34mm including the crown)
• Lug to lug: 38.3mm
• Thickness: 10mm
• Lug width: 18mm
• Crown: Fluted, not original
• Dial: Silver-toned, applied copper-toned Arabic numerals, minute track, original
• Hands: Golden dauphine hands, golden seconds hand, original
• Crystal: Acrylic, wear scratches (condition 7/10)
• Strap: Brown grained leather, not original
• Buckle: Steel, not original

Condition and warranty

• Overall condition: Good condition for its age. The original silver-toned dial is crisp, its copper-toned numerals nuanced by time, with a few slight signs of age specific to this example. The steel case shows the wear scratches of a watch that has been worn, and the acrylic Crystal has scratches (7/10). Our photographs are presented unretouched.
• Water resistance: Not guaranteed (vintage watch)
• Authenticity: Lifetime guarantee
• Mechanical: Movement serviced in May 2025, guaranteed for 1 year
• Included: Invoice from Atelier Victor
• Not included: Original box and papers

Frequently asked questions

Who is Yema?
A brand française founded in 1948 in Besançon by Henry Louis Belmont, who graduated from the National School of Watchmaking in 1931. Known for its utilitarian watches, the Superman diver from 1963, the Rallygraf chronographs, the Spationaute worn in space by Jean-Loup Chrétien in 1982, it was in 1966 the leading French exporter of watches. Having come under Seiko ownership at the end of the 1980s, it became française again in 2009 and now manufactures in Morteau.

What does Antimagnetic mean?
It means the movement is protected from magnetic fields by balance spring and escapement alloys that are insensitive to magnetization, a common marking on watches from the 1950s and 1960s, when electricity became widespread in homes. This protection applies to the magnetic fields of its time; it should still be kept away from today's magnets, such as bag clasps or phone cases.

Are the numerals gold?
They are applied metal numerals, set in relief on the original dial, with a coppery tone that time has nuanced differently from one numeral to another. It is this relief, and this color, that give the piece its character compared with printed dials.

Has the movement been serviced?
Yes, in 2025, by our partner watchmakers: complete disassembly, cleaning, oiling, and adjustment. It is guaranteed for one year. A hand-wound watch is wound every day, and a vintage watch is not guaranteed water-resistant.

Is this piece suitable for a slim or larger wrist?
With a 32mm diameter, 38.3mm Lug-to-lug, and 10mm thickness, it suits wrists of approximately 14 to 18cm — a guide, never a rule: everyone wears what they like. Its format is that of de ville watches from the 1960s, discreet under a cuff. The Lug width measures 18mm, making it easy to change the strap.

A piece selected by Atelier Victor

Authenticated, checked, and photographed by us. As all sales are final, our team remains available 7 days a week on WhatsApp to answer your questions, share additional photos or a video of the piece in hand — so that your choice can be made with complete peace of mind.

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