Yema Yachtingraf Régate (Ref. 5667370) "Blue Ship", 1970s

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

From outer space, the racetrack, sailing, diving, and to the North Pole and back, Yema wristwatches were built to accompany adventurers from the very beginning. Founded in 1948, the Yema watch company saw early success and quickly became the best-selling French watch brand of the 1960s. The Yema Yachtingraf was introduced in 1966 for the sole purpose of regatta racing and features a highly visible red, white, and blue countdown timer within the right sub-register to track the critical five-minute starting sequence of a yacht race. The Yachtingraf eventually became the official watch of the French Sailing Federation and went on to accompany the French National Sailing Team during the 1972 Olympic Games. The example offered here is the highly coveted and exceptionally uncommon “Blue Ship” execution of the Yema Yachtingraf Régate, regarded by many collectors as the seventh and final evolution of the original non-digital Yachtingraf lineage. Distinguished by its oversized “Jumbo” straight lug case architecture and signature blue ship motif above 6 o’clock, this particular variant represents one of the rarest and most visually striking expressions of the Yachtingraf platform ever produced. The dial layout of the Yachtingraf Régate is equally as compelling as its case architecture, featuring a highly specialized regatta countdown display designed specifically for yacht racing applications. The multi-colored segmented register allows sailors to track the critical countdown period leading up to the start of a race, functioning as both a practical navigational instrument and one of the most visually distinctive chronograph displays of the era. Adding further visual depth are the unique dial “cutouts” integrated directly into the regatta countdown register itself, creating a layered, dimensional effect rarely seen in period chronographs. These apertures expose the rotating countdown disc beneath the dial surface, allowing the wearer to visually track the progression of elapsed countdown intervals in real time. The result is a dial execution that feels remarkably technical, playful, and purpose-built all at once, embodying the experimental spirit of late-1960s and early-1970s regatta chronograph design. Powering the watch is the modified Valjoux 7733S manual-wind chronograph movement, specifically adapted for regatta timing functionality. SPECS Stock # YYG5667370 Brand Yema Style Yachtingraf Model 5667370 Serial N/A Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Matte Black Millimeters 38.5 Strap 2pc Rubber Tropic Strap CASE & BRACELET The straight lug case remains wonderfully well-preserved and unpolished, retaining its original factory finishing and sharp case geometry throughout. The original bakelite bezel remains flawless, showing no signs of cracking or degradation. The case retains its original unsigned crown and pump pushers. The case back retains all of its original factory engravings in full legible and deep condition. The watch comes supplied on a 2pc rubber tropic strap. DIAL & HANDS The original and rare “Blue Ship" dial remains in flawless condition, showing no visible marks, blemishes, or damage throughout. The tritium lume filled hour markers have achieved a vivid custard-custard patina and exhibit no degradation under UV light inspection. The original tritium hands match the dial almost perfectly with no degradation present 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