To say it’s a trend in the watch industry, would be a huge understatement. Everyone is making them now.

REVIEW: Yema Superman Bronze Black

Almost to the day three years ago, after plenty of commenting on his posts and protracted badgering, I pried away a 70’s Yema 53 001 6 Superman with French caliber 4611 quick set movement from a Yema collector located in Paris.

That sort of provenance and it’s ghost bezel and therefore the unique bezel locking mechanism is that the stuff of #watchnerd lore and commenced an affinity with me for the brand.

Yema may be a French watchmaking company founded in 1948 in Besançon, France by Henry Louis Belmont. The brand has had noteworthy accomplishments throughout its years. They produced early anti-shock watches within the 50s and within the 60s the Yema Superman was water-resistant to a strong 300 meters (1963) and therefore the Yema Rallygraf was equipped with a tachometer for car enthusiasts (1968). In 1966, 1967 and 1968 Yema was the leading exporter of French watches with quite 500,000 sold each of these years across 50 countries. The Yema Spationaute was the primary (only?) French watch to fly in space with Jean-Loup Chretien in 1982 and therefore the Yema North Pole accompanied Nicholas Hulot (no “b” lol) and Hubert de Chevigny to the North Pole in 1987.

Having been owned by Seiko Watch Corporation of Japan since 1988, Yema returned to French ownership in 2004, and in 2009 Yema was acquired by the French watchmaker group Montres Ambre, based in Morteau, France. In 2011 Yema released its first-generation self-winding mechanical in-house movement, the Caliber MBP1000. it's been utilized in over 250,000 Yema timepieces since then. Yema now has developed its second-generation in-house calibers exclusive to the brand.

For this review, we've the Yema Superman Bronze black, (Ref. YSUPZ20C39-AAS), equipped with the new three-hand Yema 2000 caliber movement. Precision has been improved to 10 seconds each day rate accuracy (from a 20 seconds each day tolerance), and therefore the power reserve is now 42-hours.

For this review, we've the Yema Superman Bronze black, (Ref. YSUPZ20C39-AAS), equipped with the new three-hand Yema 2000 caliber movement. Precision has been improved to 10 seconds each day rate accuracy (from a 20 seconds each day tolerance), and therefore the power reserve is now 42-hours.

Keeping faithful its heritage, all Yema Superman models feature their unique bezel-lock at 3 o’clock. it's been found on all Superman models since 1963 and has proven useful to professional divers. As could be expected, the watch features a screw-down crown and features a vintage Yema logo engraved. The 316L chrome steel caseback is additionally engraved with Yema’s coat of arms. Water-resistance is 300 meters.

Bronze that’s untreated will age differently counting on its use and weather exposed to, making each patina and watch unique over time. The hands and markers are treated with lume that's extremely legible. The watch without a strap weighs 68 grams. The steel case vintage Superman weighed in at 56 grams but due to the case material difference, it’s like comparing bronze apples to steel oranges.

In a side by side comparison with my Yema Superman from the ’70s, they're precisely the same in every way minus a tenth of a millimeter (0.1 mm) greater thickness difference for the fashionable version, imperceivable to the attention or on the wrist. Both have a (measured by digital calipers) 39.5 mm case diameter, 47.8 mm lug to lug length, and 19 mm lug width. As previously mentioned, the thickness of the vintage auto is 13.5 mm, where the fashionable is 13.6 mm.

I really like this particular Superman offering also because the revival of the brand and their other automatic watches as an entire . The bronze Superman has excellent wrist presence, catching multiple strangers taking a look at it during its outing within the wild with me and it feels a bit like its vintage counterpart on the wrist. I personally would have liked this model in steel better than bronze to match the authenticity of the first Yema Supermen of the 60s and 70s but it’s done alright and that they currently offer multiple steel Superman variations. i used to be also not an enormous fan of the OEM black leather minimal stitch strap pairing the model comes with and quickly changed it out for a vintage tropic strap and every one was right within the world once more . Yema currently also offers tropical rubber strap and steel bracelet options and that i suggest you accompany one among those. I even have a green canvas strap with its name thereon next which can be “the” combo for it but you’ll need to check my Instagram feed @kicktoc to ascertain for yourself.

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Grand Seiko Miami and New York Boutiques

In December Grand Seiko opened two new boutiques — one in Miami and therefore the other in ny — to teach and broaden awareness of the brand.

Each location replaces the prevailing boutique Seiko opened, in 2014 on Madison Avenue and 2016 within the Miami Design District, and originally displayed the “Seiko” moniker on the facade and carried a variety of products from Seiko to Grand Seiko to Credor.

After Grand Seiko launched its first dedicated us boutique in l. a. in 2017, it then became the Grand Seiko Corporation of America in 2018, and now with the 2 redesigned Grand Seiko boutiques in Miami and ny , the brand continues to maneuver further upscale from its parent corporation Seiko. “We are extremely excited to be expanding our footprint within the US to permit consumers the chance to experience our brand with multiple locations,” shares Grand Seiko Corporation of America President Brice Le Troadec.

The two stores are completely retrofitted with new decor and layouts. A full assortment of Grand Seiko is on display, and therefore the Credor Masterpiece timepieces like the Eichii are available on a meeting base only. “Both boutiques will function as destinations for educating local and international consumers within the areas about the art of Japanese craftsmanship that creates Grand Seiko unique,” consistent with Grand Seiko.

“The design and ethos of the new boutiques take their inspiration from the primary Grand Seiko boutique in Ginza. Every Grand Seiko boutique concierge is trained to speak the core values of the brand with consumers, emphasizing the cultural and artistic inspiration supported the natural elements of Japan. the tutorial experience offered during a Grand Seiko boutique is enhanced by the very respectful tradition of Omotenashi or selfless Japanese hospitality that each one employees practice,” consistent with Grand Seiko.

This is Grand Seiko’s 60th Anniversary year, which is an expression of latest energy and rebirth in Japanese culture then it seems the timing is simply right for the launch of Grand Seiko Madison Avenue (located at 510 Madison Avenue, New York, New York), and Grand Seiko Miami (located at 130 NE 40th Street, Miami, Florida). Learn more. Click here to know details about professional watches

Casio G-Shock x Hodinkee Ref.  6900 John Mayer

Today Casio, Hodinkee, and John Mayer debut a collaborative edition version of the G-Shock Ref. 6900.

Inspired by the Casiotone SK-5 sampling keyboard that Mayer played growing up. “The Casiotone SK-5 was instrumental in Mayer’s musical education, and acts because the design catalyst for this timepiece,” consistent with the Hodinkee. First launched in 1995, the G-Shock reference 6900 is that the iconic Japanese made triple-graph digital quartz watch model that helped Casio gain traction on the style and streetwear scene.

“When Casio approached me about the likelihood of working together on a G-SHOCK, it actually timed out rather well ,” said Mayer. “I had already been pretty deep into wearing the ‘Mudmaster’ models, and something felt cosmically right a few G-SHOCK being the primary watch collab I’ve ever done. Casio keyboards came to mind the maximum amount because the watches did. Then I remembered how important the Casiotone SK-5 was in my life, and it got exciting really fast. It’s the right bridge between my double life as a musician and a watch enthusiast.”

As you'll see, the slate-gray body and yellow and teal highlight colors of the DW6900, tie directly into the SK-5 aesthetic. The case measures 53.2 mm by 16.3 mm, weighs 67g, and is formed of resin with a chrome steel caseback that’s engraved with “JOHN MAYER” and “HODINKEE.” Water-resistance is rated to 100 meters.

The Casio G-Shock 6900 Hodinkee x John Mayer functions include hours, minutes, seconds, date, 1/100th second stopwatch, countdown timer, multi-function alarm, hourly signal , 12/24 hour time formats, flash alert, EL backlight.

Retail is $180 and therefore the watch is out there at Hodinkee, G-Shock.com, G-Shock SoHo, and choose G-Shock retailers (Ref. DW6900JM20-8CR).Learn more.

Villeret Extraplate Boutique Edition

Blancpain recently announced a boutique edition of their Villeret dress watch with a yellow gold case and a green dial.

Although based within the Le Sentier, Switzerland at this day (formerly Frederic Piguet manufacture), Blancpain’s original home was Villeret and that’s where the name of the company’s most classical dress watch collection springs .

Featuring a double stepped case, the Villeret Extraplate Boutique Edition is presented in an elegantly thin 40 mm x 8.7 mm 18 yellow gold stepped case that has been polished to a mirror finish.

The rich green sunburst dial is punctuated by gold skeletonized leaf-shaped hour and minute hands, gold applied Roman numeral hour markers, a gold baton-shaped center seconds hand with a JB emblem shaped counterweight, and therefore the brand logo stamped in white at 12. At rock bottom of the dial “SWISS MADE” is stamped in white. The date wheel has been color-matched to the dial color for a seamless look.

The Blancpain automatic caliber 1151 — which features a solid yellow gold oscillating weight and honeycomb guilloche-work pattern — are often viewed through the open sapphire caseback. The movement is simply 3.25 thick and may run up to 100-hours (4-days) when fully wound. Each bridge of the 210 component, 28 jewel movement, has Geneva stripes applied and beveled and polished edges.

Each Villeret Extraplate Boutique Edition is paired with a brown nubuck finished alligator leather strap to finish the design. Learn more .

The Hautlence HL Sphere 02

As a follow up to the HL Sphere 01, Swiss watchmaker Hautlence has created a second more advanced version.

Introducing the Hautlence HL Sphere 02 — presented in an 18K alloy case (46 mm x 39 mm x 15.75 mm) with what the corporate refers to as its TV screen-shaped case and featuring a prominent jumping hour display that spins on a sphere.

The blue spherical hour indication features twelve engraved numerals and rotates on itself through three rotation axes to reveal the present hour. The sphere construction consists of polished grade 5 titanium with blue PVD treatment, laser engraved numerals, and white lacquer filling.

According to Hautlence, “This hypnotic dance, which initially appears totally random, actually follows a strict choreography, dictated by a conical differential including four conical gears that move around two crossed spindles inclined at an angle of 21 degrees. Two polished titanium cases featuring a blue PVD treatment adorn this tridimensional complex system to make a sphere.”

On the proper of the hour sphere may be a retrograde minute display with a blue hand that starts at 00 every hour and moves along the minute track until it hits 60, at which point it instantly springs back to 00 and begins again. The hand consists of a satin-finished grade 5 titanium with blue PVD treatment and white lacquer filling. Through this display, you'll also see a part of the balance because it oscillates to and fro behind the dial.

“The differential and snail wont to trigger the jumping hour also can be seen beneath the big hand . The minute track and therefore the applied diamond-polished and metal blue minute numerals are fixed to an intermediary rose gold grained dial. the planning of this dial adds a fragile vintage touch to the HL SPHERE 02, contrasting with the utterly contemporary look of this creation.”

The Hautlence HL Sphere 02 (Ref. H1501-0203) is restricted to twenty-eight pieces and therefore the retail price is estimated at $100K+. (We always attempt to include the worth but the corporate didn't provide it or answer our request for the worth. Learn more.