Hands-On With The Special Yema Superman Tropical CMM.10 Limited Edition

Yema’s Superman is undoubtedly my favorite model in the French brand’s extensive collection. I have enjoyed trying many of the Superman versions released in the past few years. My absolute favorite has long been the Superman FAF Search And Rescue Limited Edition, which came out in 2022. That watch presented a retro style with a lot of charm that made it stand out immediately. Last year, the brand released another standout Superman in collaboration with French watch blog Le Petit Poussoir. The Superman Tropical CMM.10 Limited Edition is a charming take on the brand’s diver that, for the first time in Superman history, comes with a “tropical” dial. With some nice cream-colored touches and a bezel with a special fade effect as well, this is another Yema Superman that I’ve quickly grown to love.

As soon as the Yema Superman Tropical CMM.10 Limited Edition landed on my desk, I liked it. There is something very charming about the combination of colors that works so well with the vintage-inspired Yema Superman. Over the two weeks we had the watch, I had plenty of time to try it out. As it turned out, I quickly fell in love with its retro style. It has made the Superman Tropical another Yema favorite next to the Superman FAF Search And Rescue Limited Edition. Could it beat that long-time favorite? Let’s find out.

The story of the Yema Superman Tropical CMM.10 Limited Edition

This Tropical version of Yema’s Superman is a collaboration with French watch blog Le Petit Poussoir. Working with fellow French brand Yema on a watch was a dream come true for the blog’s founder, Ludovic Barrois. I have to say that what the Yema designers and Barrois came up with is a star in the lineup. The concept and the execution are well thought out, resulting in a watch that offers something quite different from the regular Superman models. The tropical-style dial, faded bezel, and in-house caliber make for a special watch.

Let’s go over the details of this version. The watch features a 39mm stainless steel case with a 47mm lug-to-lug and a 13.2mm profile, including the crystal. As most of you will know, the Yema Superman appears and feels quite slim. It has a 300m water resistance rating despite its steel case components totaling 10.5mm thick without the crystal. The domed sapphire glass adds not just the extra thickness but also plenty of retro charm. The predominantly brushed case also features polished chamfers for some nice visual impact.

Additionally, the unidirectional knurled bezel has a gray ceramic insert with a great-looking fade effect. On top of that, the numerals and markings are treated with light gray Super-LumiNova. As we know from the Yema Superman, the bezel features the signature locking mechanism at 3 o’clock.

The true star of the show

While the bezel is nice, I think the best aesthetic component of the Superman Tropical is the dial. It fades softly from a lighter shade of brown in the center to a darker brown on the perimeter. It’s a very soft fade, and I love that because it gives the lacquered finish a natural feel. The dial features an open white minute track that encircles the sand-colored Super-LumiNova hour markers. The lume-filled hour and minute hands accompany the brand’s signature spade-shaped seconds hand. This was first introduced in 1963 and used for the Superman FAF Search And Rescue Limited Edition that I love.

The sand-colored version of the integrated Tropic-style strap finishes the look in style. It matches the lume color on the dial and truly is that extra element that makes this limited edition an absolute stunner. I am always somewhat skeptical when it comes to mimicking patina on dials and bezels, but Yema and Le Petit Poussoir have done a great job with this special version of Superman.

The customized in-house Yema CMM.10

If you turn the watch around, you get a good view of the Calibre Manufacture Morteau 10 (CMM.10) that powers the watch. It’s a familiar movement, although some things are executed differently. The bridges and baseplate are a dark gray galvanic color, matching the subtle hue of the bezel while preserving the microblasted finish. Additionally, the rotor has been redesigned to match the vintage-inspired visual style of the watch, and it features a gold-brushed finish for visual impact. Lastly, the rotor also shows the Yema “Y” logo to symbolize the brand’s legacy.

The automatic caliber operates at 28,800vph, has 27 jewels, and offers 70 hours of power reserve. It comprises 208 parts, including Incabloc shock resistance and a Glucydur balance wheel. The movement has a stated accuracy of +5/-3 seconds per day, giving it chronometer-like accuracy. Overall, I appreciate that Yema went the extra mile to customize the movement to fit the watch’s overall style. It tells the story simply a lot better.

Wearing the Yema Superman Tropical CMM.10 Limited Edition

On the wrist is where the watch made an impact. But let me start by saying that the case-hugging ends of the rubber strap mean that it first flares outward before sloping down and wrapping around your wrist. As a result, the watch is less comfortable on smaller wrists. My colleague Daan has a 17cm (6.7″) wrist, and the shape of the strap means there are gaps between it and his wrist. Fortunately, I didn’t have that problem, and the watch fit my 18.5cm (7.3″) like a glove.

From the moment I wrapped the strap around my wrist, I was impressed by the comfort and the looks. Despite being super flexible, the sand-colored strap balances the watch nicely on the wrist. Additionally, the watch looks nice. Sure, you have to be a fan of the vintage-inspired aesthetic, but if you are, chances are you will greatly appreciate the looks of the Superman Tropical.

Final thoughts on the Yema Superman Tropical CMM.10 Limited Edition

During my hands-on experience, I switched between the Superman and several other watches on bracelets that we had in for review. I must admit that I usually gravitate heavily towards bracelets, but during those two weeks, I kept coming back to the Yema Superman Tropical. The overall style is very nice and inviting. On top of that, it’s a look that we don’t see executed this well very often.

If there is one thing I didn’t like, it’s the signature bezel lock. Part of the fun of wearing a dive watch is rotating the bezel a couple of times a day to hear the crisp bezel action. But with the Yema Superman, you have to take it off the wrist, unscrew the crown, and only then can you turn the bezel. On top of that, the lock is a rather flimsy metal piece that doesn’t match the solid overall feel of the watch. But if that is my only gripe with the watch, it still makes this an unquestionably great release.

I quickly started loving the look of the watch on my wrist. On top of that, it is an absolute joy to wear. So I must give big compliments to Yema and Le Petit Poussoir for creating a surprisingly fresh take on a watch that we’ve already seen in so many forms. That’s quite the achievement, and it has made the Yema Superman Tropical CMM.10 Limited Edition my second favorite Yema after the Superman FAF Search And Rescue Limited Edition. This 99-piece limited edition is available for €1,749 from the Le Petit Poussoir online store, and honestly, it’s one of the best surprises I’ve had the chance to wear recently.