The Streetworthy Yema × Seconde/Seconde/ Yachtingraff Is Coming To A Port Near You

Since the 1960s, the Yema Yachtingraf has always been a charming and colorful chronograph, especially with its regatta-style “big-eye” countdown sub-dial. If I told you the new version features a black dial, that might even sound a bit boring if you already know the white-turquoise-yellow and blue-red-white versions that are already available. However, did I mention that Romaric André, aka seconde/seconde/, took the lead in designing this new meca-quartz Yachtingraf Croisière? He created one with bold graffiti murals in mind and turned it into the Yema Yachtingraff.

The original Yema Yachtingraf Croisière from 1969 — Image: Analog:Shift

Tomas recently wrote an article on the Yema Yachtingraf’s sophisticated design. Out of the seven generations, he owns a second-generation one, which features almost the same countdown sub-dial — more on that later. Yema and seconde/seconde/ used a 1969 Yachtingraf Croisière (fifth-generation) as a starting point for the Yachtingraff. But, of course, there are some significant differences. Let’s take a look.

The Yema × seconde/seconde/ Yachtingraff

First, Yema’s current meca-quartz Yachtingraf Croisière (French for “cruise”) doesn’t feature a rotating dive bezel like the originals from the ’60s did. The case shape is also slightly different, mainly because the lugs have an additional inner bevel. In terms of size, the current 38.5mm Yachtingraf is quite close to the original 38mm diameter. The same should count for the 46mm lug-to-lug and 12.3mm thickness, which includes the double-domed Hesalite crystal. The stainless steel case has a polished finish on top and horizontal brushing on the sides.

Now we come to the Yema × seconde/seconde/ Yachtingraff’s quirks. They start with the chronograph pushers. By adding a subtle engraving and some blue and red accents, Romaric turned them into tiny spray-can heads. With the signed push-pull crown in between, you operate the Seiko VK63 meca-quartz chronograph movement inside. It’s more practical and, at ±20 seconds per month, probably more accurate than the hand-wound Valjoux 7736 movement in the original.

The new Yema Yachtingraff features an all-steel case back with a quote by seconde/seconde/: “La Croisière, ma muse” (French for “The cruise, my muse”). This is a variation on “La croisière s’amuse” (“The cruise is having fun”), which was the French title of the American TV series The Love Boat that aired in the ’70s and ’80s.

The dripping dial

When you look at the dials of the original Yachtingraf Croisière and the new Yachtingraff, you can easily see the similarities, especially color-wise. Sure, the sub-dials might be in a different order, but they still look very similar, apart from Romaric’s secret sauce. They now have a more graffiti-like look, and there’s even a bit of relief to them. It looks like the paint is still wet and dripping down the black background.

At 3 o’clock is the 24-hour sub-dial, which looks almost like an inverted Swiss cross. At 6 o’clock, there’s the slightly recessed running seconds sub-dial. But the star of the show is the bold “big-eye” countdown sub-dial at 9 o’clock. It contains two countdown timers, and you can use both ends of its hand to time when your regatta starts. If you want to know more about how to use it, make sure to read Tomas’s article.

The Yema logo is at 12, including a little addition to the Yachtingraf name. The pencil-shaped hour and minute hands match the applied markers and feature luminous material for better readability in darker situations.

A Yachtingraff with street cred

Once again, seconde/seconde/ shows his ability to find a little hook and build a creative new design around it. The graffiti connection to the Yachtingraf’s name is subtle and fun. The watch and its dial are still very recognizable as a Yachtingraf, but they’re also very different. Although the changes are subtle, they make the watch even more playful than it already was. I also like that Romaric didn’t limit himself to the dial. The chronograph pushers are a real highlight for me.

The new Yema × seconde/seconde/ Yachtingraff costs €449. Pre-orders will open on June 25th at 16:00 (CEST) / 10:00 (EDT) through Yema’s official website, and the watches will ship at the beginning of September. Just so you know, the Yachtingraff is not a limited edition. 

Let me know in the comments below what you think of the new Yema × seconde/seconde/ Yachtingraff.