The Yema Superman Bronze CMM.10 sets a new standard for budget bronze watches
Fergus Nash- The Yema Superman Bronze CMM.10 launches the brand’s new in-house movement.
- It boasts chronometer-level accuracy, a 70-hour power reserve, and magnetic resistance.
- New movement aside, it’s a capable dive watch.
Bronze watches may not be as much of a hype trend as they were during the pandemic, but they still hit hard when done right. In fact, Yema and their popular Superman were some of the best-selling bronze watches at the time, deftly blending modern experimentation with 1960s quirk and overall charm. The new Yema Superman Bronze CMM.10 is a limited edition that serves as a platform for launching their latest in-house movement with chronometer-level accuracy.
Yema’s dedication to watchmaking is clear through their commitment to in-house movements, despite being a relatively small, independent brand who still rely on Kickstarter projects to fund releases. Their first attempt, the YEMA1000 didn’t fully follow their current French-made strategy, and they have since followed up with the second generation in the YEMA2000 and the YEMA3000 GMT movements. The new CMM.10 (and CMM.20 from last year) represents a new generation of higher standards for a shockingly affordable price. The quoted daily rate for the YEMA2000 and YEMA3000 is -/+10 seconds per day, whereas the CMM.10 is quoted at -3/+5 seconds per day. That’s even better than the CMM.20, which launched with Yema’s Wristmaster Traveller Micro-Rotor last year. It’s not a chronometer-certified movement, however, Yema promises its performance within chronometer levels. Whether or not you prefer to have the word ‘chronometer’ printed on the dial, you are receiving the savings that are passed on by not submitting to third-party testing.
In addition to the accuracy, the Yema CMM.10 also boasts a 70-hour power reserve beating at a smooth 4Hz, as well as a Glucydur balance with low thermal expansion. Visually it’s quite stern, with a dark galvanic coating turning all of the plates black. This does highlight the golden balance wheel and other components, as well as the skeletonised automatic winding rotor. The overall effect gives it a bit of a sci-fi look, which also grants some magnetic resistance because of the covered components.
The Superman Bronze CMM.10 itself is a handsome watch in any of its configurations, with a dial that has been slightly updated from the older versions. The hands have been slightly emboldened for some extra punch of the dial, and you can now read ‘MANUFACTURE FRANÇAISE’ below 6 o’clock to signify its French manufacturing. The caliber inside has been designed and developed by YEMA, with components (bridges and mainplate) manufactured directly in their YEMA workshops in Morteau where assemblies, adjustments and checks are also performed. The case, dial, and hands though are Swiss in origin.
The different options include either a black or fumé blue lacquer dial with matching tropic rubber straps, and a choice of 39mm or 41mm case diameters. The 39mm case has a surprisingly long 48mm lug-to-lug length, but should still be comfortable on most wrists. The 41mm model retains similar proportions with a lug-to-lug of 49.5mm, but both sizes are nice and slender at 10.7mm tall. That’s testament to the clever design and slimness of the new CMM.10 movement, as the case still has enough room to be water-resistant to 300m with a sapphire display caseback. Of course, the use of bronze means that the watch will tarnish uniquely depending on your wearing habits.
Yema Superman Bronze CMM.10 pricing and availability
Each model of the Yema Superman Bronze CMM.10 is limited to 1,948 pieces signifying the birth year of the Yema brand, and each watch is engraved with its limited edition number. It will be launched on Kickstarter on November 10th, 2023, with shipping between April and May, 2024. Price: €999 (€1,790 MSRP post-Kickstarter)
| Brand | Yema |
| Model | Superman Bronze CMM.10 Limited Edition |
| Case Dimensions | 39mm (D) x 10.7mm (T) x 48mm (LTL) 41mm (D) x 10.7mm (T) x 49.5mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Bronze |
| Water Resistance | 300 metres |
| Dial | Black or blue gradient lacquer |
| Crystal | Sapphire crystal front and back |
| Strap | Black or blue rubber tropic strap |
| Movement | Yema CMM.10, in-house, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 70 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | Limited to 1,948 pieces in each configuration |
| Price | €999 (€1,790 MSRP post-Kickstarter) |