What´s wrong with Yema?
I´ve always loved the design of the Yema Superman (Heritage or 500) but I´ve never made any research about the brand. At first I thought it was a prestigious manufacturer. Then I realized that there´s plenty of controversy around it.
It seems that Yema was an important diver watch producer around the 60´s and 70´s. When the Quartz crysis arrived it hitted Yema, like many others. Now, they produce a wide range of vintage inspired watches.
I love their designs, but people tends to criticise their quality and specs. I don´t think they´re to pricey compared with others... but I´ve never had one on my hands.
I´ve also enconuntered examples of their Superman Heritage (quartz) from around 300€, which I don´t think is too much compared with quartz versions of other reputable brands. And the design is awesome!
What do you think about the brand? What about all the controversy sorrounding the quality?
Starting a collection. Proud owner of a SKX008, a vintage Citizen and a 1950´s Omega
They make nice looking watches. I came very close to buying a Yema Rallygraf meca-quartz, but didn't because of the mineral crystal.
I never owned one. I used to be on that other watch forum (if useek around a bit, you’ll know) and there was a fair amount of traffic from people reporting extraordinarily bad experiences with their customer service. Not whiny stuff, but things that were totally inexcusable. One I recall is a person sent the watch for service, got it back with a hair underneath the crystal, and was ghosted when they tried to get problem addressed.
Those stories, along with the fact they have been sold off 3 times in their history, leaves me questioning the commitment of the various ownership, so I’ve stayed far away. I do like the look of the Superman’s.
They make nice looking watches. I came very close to buying a Yema Rallygraf meca-quartz, but didn't because of the mineral crystal.
I also love the design on that watch, it´s very original
I never owned one. I used to be on that other watch forum (if useek around a bit, you’ll know) and there was a fair amount of traffic from people reporting extraordinarily bad experiences with their customer service. Not whiny stuff, but things that were totally inexcusable. One I recall is a person sent the watch for service, got it back with a hair underneath the crystal, and was ghosted when they tried to get problem addressed.
Those stories, along with the fact they have been sold off 3 times in their history, leaves me questioning the commitment of the various ownership, so I’ve stayed far away. I do like the look of the Superman’s.
Thanks! That might be a reason for the community disapproval. It´s good to know that.
FB started to bombard me with Yema ads recently. I checked their page and brand seems interesting in terms of design + price tag on many models implies high quality product.
I am always suspicious when luxury products are advertised like crazy and provide promo codes / free items (like straps) on online orders. Yema does both.
Might be my wrong interpretation, though
I've never owned a Yema and love their designs but I've been concerned about some pretty significant brand quality and customer service issues that have been reported from collectors who's reputation I respect.
FB started to bombard me with Yema ads recently. I checked their page and brand seems interesting in terms of design + price tag on many models implies high quality product.
I am always suspicious when luxury products are advertised like crazy and provide promo codes / free items (like straps) on online orders. Yema does both.
Might be my wrong interpretation, though
That doesn´t a thing a "respected" watch brand shoud do. That way the devaluate the brand status and their products. Didn´t know they were doing that practice.
They have never grabbed my attention and only really heard negative stuff about the brand so kind of puts me off completely.
That doesn´t a thing a "respected" watch brand shoud do. That way the devaluate the brand status and their products. Didn´t know they were doing that practice.
It is something that personally concerns me. It might be a concern, but at the same time - often we also hear criticism of brands like Seiko for lack of advertisement so they are not as good at marketing watches as for example MVMT. So mb Yema is trying to reach broader audience of younger people while not compromising on quality. I guess best is to look for review / hear from people owning Yema :)
I'll try to remember to give an update once I've received mine. I've ordered one and am patiently awaiting its arrival. Prior to ordering it, I'd never heard of them and wasn't offered any promo codes or free items with my order. I'm not saying that doesn't happen, just that they weren't offered to me.
It is something that personally concerns me. It might be a concern, but at the same time - often we also hear criticism of brands like Seiko for lack of advertisement so they are not as good at marketing watches as for example MVMT. So mb Yema is trying to reach broader audience of younger people while not compromising on quality. I guess best is to look for review / hear from people owning Yema :)
Good point!!
I'll try to remember to give an update once I've received mine. I've ordered one and am patiently awaiting its arrival. Prior to ordering it, I'd never heard of them and wasn't offered any promo codes or free items with my order. I'm not saying that doesn't happen, just that they weren't offered to me.
Which model?
Which model?
The Wristmaster Traveller micro-rotor.
The Wristmaster Traveller micro-rotor.
I saw they launched it on kickstarter and it´s gorgeous. Excelent choice!
I saw they launched it on kickstarter and it´s gorgeous. Excelent choice!
Yep. That’s how I found out about it. I’m hoping I’ll be happy with it and haven’t made an expensive mistake. At least I didn’t pay what they’re asking on their site now.
Had a Flygraf M2 for a short while, really disliked it- it was a compromised design, clearly a thick chunky diver with a different bezel and dial. The grey dial & white numerals & reflective crystal rendered it pretty illegible, the manual winding felt gritty (on par with some awful Vostok's I've owned), accuracy was around a minute a day, finishing was entry level Seiko & it's French. 😂
Admittedly my experience could have been one duff watch, but overall I was distinctly unimpressed but YMMV.
I've got the Navygraf Heritage (which they've just announced they're discontinuing). I got it on sale last summer for £400. It's got 300m of water resistance, bags of vintage charm and runs around -4/+2 per day. I've got very little to complain about really.