The Yema Yachtingraf had been on my checklist for years. When the chance got here to snap an untouched piece in an unique field, I didn’t hesitate. Then, it sat on my checklist of article concepts for a number of years. Properly, its time has lastly come, so let’s take a look at it.
I don’t assume it’s simply me; most collectors I do know get excited when the dialogue turns to yachting chronographs. Visually, they’re so vivid that it looks as if they’re speaking to us. They’re colourful, playful, and have fascinating, usually uniquely formed palms within the race-prep-timing register. The sub-seconds counters on regatta timers are smaller and pushed into the background. Quite the opposite, the minute counter is commonly augmented and offers a chance for distinctive design execution. That’s what led to individuals calling them “big-eye” chronographs. And in our classic column, we have now lined fairly a number of yachting chronographs already. Don’t overlook to take a look at the Seaboard Yacht, Seiko 7A28-7090, Gallet Yachting, Airin Regatta Timer, or Tissot Navigator Yachting.
Seven generations
If we comply with Henrik’s analysis and use his categorization, we will establish seven generations of the Yema Yachtingraf. The primary era with the Valjoux 92 motion debuted in 1966, and shortly after got here the second execution with the Valjoux 7733 or 7734. The third era bought a Valjoux 7734 caliber with a date complication. All three generations had small seconds at 9 o’clock and an outsized 30-minute counter on the “commonplace” 3 o’clock place.
Issues modified a bit in 1969 when the primary Valjoux 72-powered Yachtingraf got here out. The so-called “Yachtingraf Croisère” with the enduring Yema-only crimson cross contained in the 12-hour counter and white sub-seconds register is uncommon. The fifth era went again to a black sub-seconds register and was powered by the Valjoux 7736. The final two generations had an enormous rotating disk beneath the dial that confirmed the countdown in numbers.
The second era underneath the loupe
Newbie’s luck — that’s what we will name my discover. Earlier than I bought this Yachtingraf about 5 years in the past, I had not carried out correct analysis. I had no thought there have been seven variations. I knew the Yachtingraf assorted, however I’d by no means studied the variations between particular person circumstances or bezels. What I managed to attain is a fairly uncommon execution with straight lugs. For the document, I’m an enormous fan of lugs like this, whether or not on the Seiko 62MAS or the one Omega Speedmaster I would like, the so-called “Ed White.” In line with Henrik, earlier than 2017, there have been solely three examples of this second-generation Yachtingraf recognized. Properly, it’s 2025 now, however I don’t anticipate one other dozen to resurface.
Particulars I like
Not solely are the lugs straight, however they’re additionally drilled, so altering the spring bars and strap is simple. Some hate drilled lugs as they “damage” the aesthetic, however they’ve by no means bothered me. And so they most actually don’t trouble me on this watch, which appears to have a set of unique spring bars. If the spring bars usually are not brief and match properly to the sides of the lug, it’s fairly an fascinating aesthetic, I feel.
The Yema Yachtingraf bezel
I don’t know what number of occasions I’ve urged you to purchase a watch with a Bakelite bezel, however making use of the rule of thumb right here, I will need to have carried out so in about 5–10 articles since I joined the Fratello editorial crew in 2019. If we discuss aesthetics, a easy metallic bezel, regardless of if it’s a bidirectional friction-fit one or a unidirectional clicking sort, is incomparable to a Bakelite one. That depth and plasticity are so pleasing that it seems like a special watch. This remark wouldn’t have been related 60 years in the past, however it could come in useful since we now sport watches like this extra usually within the workplace relatively than among the many waves. My Bakelite bezel is significantly thinner and appears way more elegant. Not regardless of however due to the yachting sub-register, this Yema Yachtingraf is an actual under-the-cuff deal.
The very best half
Now comes the fascinating half — digging into the six coloured triangles within the yachting timer, the place every is split into five-minute slots, two of that are numbered. Why the hell are there two impartial five-minute countdowns in a single timer? I admit it’s a bit complicated. And that’s the second after we go and seek for a patent software. There have been two related purposes — the Swiss one from June 1966 and the American one from March 1967, each signed “H. L. Blum.”
An illustration from the American patent software
The way it works
It appears there’s not one countdown however two of them. Quoting the patent software, “The usage of both zones 11 and 12 could be effected equally by advantage of the two-headed or two-ended hand 13. The 2 heads 14 and 15, which have a special form, refer respectively to zones 11 and 12. The marking of dial 9 is such that it offers for count-down means 16 and 17, respectively, from the sixth to the tenth minute on the facet of the crown and from the eleventh to the fifteenth minute on the alternative facet, representing, within the two circumstances, the final 5 minutes earlier than departure.”
Picture: RC, aka Jerry (Le Membership Yema)
Merely put, the fitting half exhibits the timing for the regatta occasion with 10 minutes of begin prep, whereas the left is for quarter-hour of race preparation. Within the first case, you concentrate on the attention of the small hand, whereas within the second case, you concentrate on its needle-like level. That brings us to a different thriller: what’s the proper orientation when establishing this hand? Ought to or not it’s with the attention on high or on the backside? Each are proper. The proprietor may resolve which possibility he most popular, and he may regulate it based on his desire. Henrik doesn’t pay a lot consideration to the sub-dial’s performance, however here’s a good, humorous little bit of studying on the subject. In line with that supply, a 10-minute countdown with an “eye up” place was designed for worldwide regatta guidelines, whereas a 15-minute countdown with an “eye down” place was for US races.
To make issues extra sophisticated
There are extra gunshots fired through the countdown to the beginning of a race. Studying the patent doc additional offers one other shocking perception into the watch’s utility. To make use of the watch correctly, contestants ought to begin the chronograph upon listening to the primary gunshot. Inevitably, there at all times is a time lag till racers react, particularly after I think about all of the situations on board. However there’s additionally a second gunshot 5 minutes after the primary, signaling the final 5 minutes earlier than departure. That is when the bezel comes into play. It may be rotated and aligned with the central chrono hand in place for the time being of the second shot. This fashion, the bezel triangle signifies the precise zero for the final 5 minutes of the countdown. Epic!
Don’t you will have a Bakelite-bezel big-eye regatta timer? If not, now’s the time to start out on the lookout for your Yema Yachtingraf!
