Yema Yachtingraf Croisière (Ref. 93012) "Big Eye", 1960s

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

Few vintage chronographs capture the spirit of 1960s competitive sailing quite like the Yema Yachtingraf. Founded in 1948, Yema quickly rose to prominence as France’s best-selling watch brand of the decade, building purpose-driven tool watches for adventurers, explorers, racers, and professional athletes alike. Introduced in 1966, the Yachtingraf was designed specifically for regatta racing, featuring a highly legible red, white, and blue countdown register that allowed sailors to track the crucial five-minute starting sequence before a race. Its success eventually earned the model official status with the French Sailing Federation, and it famously accompanied the French National Sailing Team during the 1972 Olympic Games. Presented here is the highly desirable Yachtingraf Croisière Ref. 93012, produced circa 1969 and powered by the legendary Valjoux 7736 chronograph movement. Named after the French word for “cruising,” the Croisière stands apart as the only Yachtingraf variant fitted with a three-register layout, combining its signature regatta countdown display with a distinctive cross-shaped lower register incorporating a 24-hour indication. Better known among collectors as the “Big Eye” due to its oversized countdown sub-register, the Ref. 93012 represents one of the most visually striking and technically interesting executions of Yema’s celebrated sailing chronograph, blending vibrant design, motorsport-inspired chronograph architecture, and genuine nautical pedigree into a uniquely charismatic vintage sports watch. SPECS Stock # YYG9312 Brand Yema Style Yachtingraf Croisière Model 93012 Serial 13XXXX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Matte Black Millimeters 39 Strap 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The robust case, featuring broad straight lugs, remains in excellent condition, exhibiting minor wear with light evidence of prior polishing present. The original bidirectional bezel has achieved a deep navy blue coloration and shows honest signs of gentle wear. The case retains its original unsigned crown and pump pushers. The case back retains all of the original factory engravings in fully present condition. The watch comes supplied on a 2pc handmade leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The original matte black, three-register dial, remains in exceptional vintage condition, showing no damage or notable age, with the colors of the sub-dials remaining bright. The tritium lume filled markers have aged to a dark patina with nominal degradation present when inspected under UV light. The original white hands have aged a shade lighter than the dial and exhibit no degradation under UV light inspection. The distinctive arrow-tipped center chronograph hand is also original to the watch, and is notably left unlumed from the factory to functionally increase the visibility of the hand against the technical regatta dial layout. ACCESSORIES