Balance & Bridge Team
- Jan 5
- 3 min read

Introducing the YEMA Urban Sport Trilogy Collection. Inspired by the 1980's & Aimed at Sporting Enthusiasts on the Road, in the Air and on the Water.

YEMA - From France with Style

Since 1948, YEMA has been all about cool sports watches for diving, car racing, aviation, and sailing. Nestled in the Jura mountains near La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, their workshops in Morteau scream French watchcrafting. Run by a bunch of watchmaking pros from a watchmaking family (third generation, nonetheless!), the team's got an average of over 30 years on the job. They're not into fancy machines – it's all hands-on.

Design, prototypes, and putting the pieces together happen the old-school way, with skilled French watchmakers making sure each watch is a blend of tradition and top-notch precision. YEMA's watch game is all about that hands-on, manual touch, creating timepieces that are as stylish as they are dependable. We previously covered their limited Superman Bronze release and are excited to dig into the newest collection.

The latest release(s) from YEMA, the Urban Sport Trilogy Collection encapsulates all of their history, hard work and enthusiasm into one collection. YEMA has a sporting history that rivals any watchmaker (see Mario Andretti and his YEMA Rallye) and they are putting it on display here. From the Air, to the Road, and into the Sea, the Urban Sport Collection has all the bases covered and pulls together an awesome 1980's aesthetic to top it off.

Let's break down the collection and see what each piece has to offer.

YEMA Urban Sport Trilogy Collection

The Urban Sport Collection tackles the three main sporting focuses of the French brand's unrivaled history. Drawing on inspiration from various 1980's models, the Urban Sport Trilogy features the YEMA Urban Sport Flygraf, the YEMA Urban Sport Yachtingraf, and the YEMA Urban Sport Rallygraf. Let's take off with the Flygraf.

As a note, all models are driven by the second-generation in-house Caliber YEMA2000, a testament to the brand's dedication to precision. The optimized components contribute to a Daily Rate of +/- 10 seconds per day, ensuring accurate timekeeping. With a respectable power reserve of 42 hours, the watch is reliable for extended periods.

Urban Sport Flygraf

The Urban Sport Flygraf boasts a stainless steel 39mm case characterized by a vertical brushed finish in 316L stainless steel, accentuated by polished bevels. This design choice not only enhances the durability of the case but also adds a touch of sophistication. The meticulous craftsmanship is evident in the attention to detail, showcasing a commitment to both style and resilience.

The brushed black dial, drawing inspiration from vintage airplane fuselages, serves as a nod to the Flygraf models since the 1960s. The iconic logo at 6 o'clock adds a vintage touch. To enhance readability in various lighting conditions, the markers and hands are treated with Super-LumiNova. Additionally, the watch features an aviation instrument functionality, with a rotating bezel and inner bezel facilitating in-flight calculations. This allows users to measure average speed, aircraft fuel consumption, and perform unit conversions, demonstrating the watch's versatility beyond mere timekeeping.

Flygraf @ YEMA

Urban Sport Yachtingraf

The Urban Sport Yachtingraf showcases a robust stainless steel 39mm case crafted from vertical brushed 316L stainless steel, accented with polished bevels. This combination not only contributes to the case's durability but also adds a sleek, refined aesthetic.

YEMA Urban Sport Yachtingraf - Image Courtesy of YEMA YEMA Urban Sport Yachtingraf - Image Courtesy of YEMA — YEMA Urban Sport Yachtingraf - Image Courtesy of YEMA

The Deep Sea Dial of this timepiece is a visual marvel, featuring a vertical gradient that transitions from a light blue representing the sea's surface to a deeper blue in the lower part, adding depth to the dial. The incorporation of two inner bezels further enhances the visual appeal. To ensure optimal readability in any lighting condition, the markers and hands are treated with Super-LumiNova. Additionally, the watch is equipped with a Regatta Race Start Bezel, featuring a bi-directional design with a 60-minute graduated aluminum insert. This specialized bezel includes a distinct 15-minute countdown marking, catering specifically to regatta race starts, showcasing the watch's functionality beyond basic timekeeping.

Yachtingraf @ YEMA

Urban Sport Rallygraf

The Urban Sport Rallygraf also features a 39mm stainless steel case meticulously crafted from vertical brushed 316L stainless steel, accentuated by a polished bevel. This design not only contributes to the case's durability but also adds a touch of sophistication.

The Racing Dial of the watch is a striking feature, with a black background proudly displaying iconic checkered flags at 6 o'clock, paying homage to the Rallygraf models of YEMA since the 1970s. White indexes ensure perfect readability, while the red sweep hand adds a dynamic touch, emphasizing the racing aesthetic of the model. To enhance visibility in various lighting conditions, the markers and hands are treated with Super-LumiNova. The Racing Instrument functionality is complemented by a bi-directional bezel with an aluminum insert, allowing car racing drivers to calculate average speed (in km/h) by combining it with the elapsed time graduation of the internal bezel, adding a practical element to the watch for racing enthusiasts.

Rallygraf @ YEMA

All Models are priced at $829 on a leather strap and $890 on their respective stainless bracelets. Get yours now, and if you really love the set, grab all three in a limited collectors set shown at the beginning of the article.

Urban Sport Trilogie @ YEMA