The dive watch category is one of the most popular in the horological world. Some high-end examples include the Omega Seamaster 300M (James Bond’s wristwatch of choice since 1995), the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, the Panerai Submersible, and of course, the iconic Rolex Submariner. There are also numerous excellent choices at the opposite end of the price spectrum, such as the Seiko Prospex divers, the Dievas Maya Mk III, and this slick set from Shinola. But few watchmakers deliver something that incorporates artistry, quality, tradition, daily wearability, and value. French watchmaker Yema has done just that with their new Yema Navygraf Super Compressor.
If the Super Compressor nomenclature sounds unfamiliar, it’s derived from its deep water functionality. Invented in 1956, super compressor watches provided an innovative new way to deliver excellent water resistance. The back of the watch case compresses against the inner rubber O-ring, adding water resistance the deeper you dive. But not all watches with two crowns are super compressors. It’s all about the diving caseback mechanism. Super compressors eschew the external dive bezel, replaced by an internal bezel that operates via the top crown.
The Yema Navygraf Super Compressor measures a modest 38.5mm diameter, 11.15mm thick (not including the 2.2mm-thick double-domed sapphire crystal), and 46mm lug-to-lug. The 316L stainless steel case has brushed sides and polished top-facing surfaces on the thin outer bezel and lugs. Those surfaces match the polished hands, giving the watch a more refined appearance than typical dive watches. Cross-hatched crown surfaces echo vintage diving helmet visors. It nods to history without screaming, and manages to deftly escape the “tool watch” look.
An Eye for Detail
The Navygraf Super Compressor comes in two dial colors: a handsome matte black and a subtly stunning Marine Nationale Bleu, our color of choice for this review. Each dial features exclamation-mark-shaped indices along with highly legible markers, hands, and an inner bezel with Super-LumiNova Grade A for excellent low-light visibility. Its attractive aesthetics don’t detract from its practicality: it’s suitable for dives up to 300 meters, whether you’re using the refined Milanese shark mesh bracelet or one of the two rubber dive straps.
The Yema crest is beautifully pressed into the caseback and beneath it lies a 2nd-generation YEMA2000 in-house automatic movement, something you simply don’t see at a sub-$1k price tag. It’s impressively accurate, at ±10 seconds per day and has a power reserve of 42 hours. The movement of the second hand is smoother than the Swiss ETA-2824, a testament to the high level of design and craftsmanship.
Wear comfort is very good, thanks to the curved lugs and carefully considered lug-to-lug distance. The Milanese mesh bracelet has small flat links that hug your wrist, and the clasp allows for the finest of adjustments. It also happens to be just the right bracelet to pair with a suit or sport coat. No one will question this diver’s suitability for more formal occasions.
For one of the best “dress-divers” in the business, a sub-$1,000 asking price would still be worth it—even without an in-house movement. Remarkably, Yema can sell a heritage-style timepiece with high-end materials, design, and a premium movement for less than many of its competitors.. It catches plenty of admiring looks and curious questions from other watch folk, even if you don’t care about that kind of thing. If you’re looking for a versatile mixture of form and function with real horological chops, Yema has hit a home run with the Navygraf Super Compressor.
