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A Visit to YEMA Workshop 2024
An in-person adventure into Morteau where the French-watchmaking magic happens.
Published by: Samuel Ng
Oct 21, 2024
In early 2023, I had the opportunity to catch up with our partner YEMA during the Time To Watch fair. Among the numerous brands showcasing their new novelties, YEMA stood out prominently, along with my personal favorites like Behrens and Minase. The YEMA sales team greeted me warmly and took their time to showcase their 2023-2024 models, including several prototypes from the Urban collection featuring the CMM’s caliber. At that time, not many brands were producing their own micro-rotor automatic movements, especially not from a French origin. This piqued my interest and excitement about the recent revival of this French brand, prompting me to delve deeper into YEMA's heritage while working on an in-depth article about its past.
During my visit to the booth, I shared my editorial ambitions with the team, and they were enthusiastic about my fervor with some diffidence. They invited me to visit YEMA in Morteau, offering me a chance to gain a better understanding of their current operations as a French watchmaker. Thrilled by their invitation, I eagerly accepted, expressing my desire to visit YEMA one day. As time passed, my fascination with the brand remained vivid in my heart.
A year and a half later, I was finally granted the opportunity to visit YEMA. I was eager to see if my admiration for the brand, which had been growing steadily, would be fulfilled by witnessing their production processes and in-house calibers firsthand. At the end of spring the following year, we arranged our trip to Morteau.
In early June, the team and I flew from Singapore to Geneva, Switzerland, to rendezvous with YEMA’s team, who kindly fetched us by car into France. The fifteen-hour flight, coupled with a six-hour time difference, left us physically drained, but our enthusiasm was palpable. As a group of passionate watch enthusiasts, we were thrilled to be one step closer to experiencing YEMA's craftsmanship firsthand. My excitement was shooting through the roof as we embarked on this long-awaited journey.Before we continue my horology adventure, be sure to read my rather exhaustive yet informative article on Yema’s history here.
Morteau, The Town Of French Watchmaking
After an eleven and a half hour flight, we finally landed at Zurich airport and made our early morning transit to Geneva. There, our friends from YEMA were waiting for us. Initially, meeting them was a bit awkward, especially since we weren’t sure if we spoke a common language. However, Lea and her partner Mario greeted us warmly, as if we had known each other for a long time. Though we had communicated through emails and Zoom meetings, meeting in person was different. Lea broke the ice by speaking English, as none of us from Gnomon were fluent in French. She made sure we were alright after the long flight and guided us to our transport to Morteau. Mario, who handles YEMA’s logistics, wasn’t well-versed in English, but he showed great amiability by assisting with our luggage, always with a big smile.
We split into two cars, and I tagged along with Mario. Once all our gear and luggage were loaded, we set off for France. I was amazed at how easily we could drive from Geneva, the second-most populous city in Switzerland, to another country. Mario tried to explain the route to me in French, and I managed to understand that it would take about two hours, crossing La Chaux-de-Fonds and into Morteau.
The drive offered beautiful bucolic scenery that we don't often see in a city country. One memorable moment was the hill drive after crossing Neuchâtel into Morteau. The trees and green pastures of the Swiss and French Alps were breathtaking. Mario noticed my awe and pulled over at a cliffside so we could all enjoy the view and stretch our legs after the long ride. Throughout the ride I was deeply pondering on the French town where belies the location of Lycée Edgar Faure – the French watchmaking school in Morteau where many renown watchmakers graduated from, while the school provided a steady flow of watchmakers to Switzerland over the years.
We finally arrived at Morteau's center, where Lea and Mario checked us into our hotel, La Guimbarde. This emblematic building, established around 1850, is located in the city center, surrounded by shops, restaurants, and just a few minutes' walk from the town’s renowned Clock Museum Haut Doubs and YEMA headquarters. Though we were advised to rest, we couldn't resist exploring the French town that preserved the watchmaking culture. After settling into our rooms, we eagerly ventured out to discover the town.
Before heading out to explore, we decided to grab a quick bite at a nearby café. We were delighted to discuss our plans for the next day while enjoying pizzas and some house white wine. Morteau gave off a similar vibe to neighboring towns like Neuchâtel: Squale - Insight and La Chaux-de-Fonds: A Visit to Marathon Watch Company 2023, with a sense of zen and quietness in a place where approximately six thousand locals reside.
First, we took a stroll around the city center, passing several schools and residences. Morteau, situated in the middle of the Alps, meant that every path we took felt like a hike. Before calling it a day, we initially wanted to check out the famous watch museum at the bottom of the town. Unfortunately, we found it closed for renovation. Although it felt like a missed opportunity, we told ourselves we would definitely return to check it out. After all, it's a must for any watch enthusiast.
Tour De Yema
The next day, Lea greeted us at our hotel lobby, kindly driving us over to YEMA’s facility. Within minutes, we arrived at a large, modern building with prominent signs: “YEMA 1948” at the top and “Yonger & Bresson 1975” below. Turning into the side entrance, we noticed the “AMBRE” company sign, marking our entry point. For those unfamiliar with AMBRE, you can read more in my article here. In brief, AMBRE Group, a family-run company that has upheld French watchmaking for several decades, currently owns YEMA. Mr. Christopher Bole, son of Pascal Bole (CEO of AMBRE Group), oversees YEMA’s operations. Pascal acquired YEMA and its remaining team in the early 2000s.
At the front door, Christopher himself greeted us. Bright and cheerful in his semi-formal outfit of long sleeves and jeans, he was chuffed to see his visitors and welcomed us warmly. We entered the building and ascended to the top floor, where the lounge was located. Lea and Chris (as we would call him from now on) shared insights about each level: the ground floor housed manufacturing operations; the second floor was home to the design team, polishing and laser engraving facilities, and the packing department; the third floor contained administrative offices and the stock room; and finally, the fourth floor, where we were, hosted the meeting lounge and the assembly team.
Clandestinely, we caught a glimpse of the assembly team at work, meticulously putting together movements and double-checking cased watches with water-pressure and time checks. I will delve deeper into their processes later in this article, but for now, let’s focus on our first day.
The lounge area was expansive, featuring a long oval table, coincided with wooden YEMA showcases displaying the current collections, and two cozy leather sofas that matched the showcases. The room was brightly lit with natural light streaming in from all sides. Each window offered stunning views of the picturesque cottages below, surrounded by green pastures and cows, all framed by the majestic French and Swiss Alps. It was truly a breathtaking sight.
YEMA The In-House Manufacturer
On the other side of the lounge was where we would have our meeting and set up our equipment. Our main tasks were to document YEMA’s adept operations in both video and article formats. As we were setting up, Anders was discussing with Christopher and Lea about gaining a deeper understanding of what each level of the facility was doing, to better absorb and comprehend the apropos of horological processes before diving into our tasks. They graciously granted us exclusive access, which we were truly grateful for, as it’s not every day that YEMA allows anyone to explore its operations, let alone document the entire process.
With permission granted, we wasted no time and headed down to the ground level to officially begin our tour. The ground floor featured a large door that led to an area reminiscent of a heritage factory. The space was quite expansive, housing a few large machines and three sub-rooms containing smaller ones. We were modestly greeted by two young operators and a senior engineer, all dressed in YEMA’s “#TimeOfHeroes” watchmaking coats—one in white and two in blue. It was clear they were busy with several large machines responsible for cutting metals, and our presence briefly interrupted their work. Although they spoke only French and we primarily spoke English (beyond a basic "Bonjour"), Lea kindly stayed with us to translate.
The senior engineer, Monsieur Florian, was evidently the floor captain thanks to his panache. He introduced himself and explained he would take us through each step of their process. Not wanting to miss any opportunity, we quickly set up our cameras as Florian began his detailed walkthrough. First, he led us to a table in the far right corner, where we saw movement blanks in their raw state: square brass pieces ready to be cut into components for the CMM.20.
The Caliber Manufacture Morteau 20 is YEMA’s current micro-rotor movement, designed in-house by Olivier Mory, a developer with over 20 years of experience at companies like Audemars Piguet, Sellita, Piaget, and Cartier. Remarkably, the bridges and mainplates are manufactured right here at this facility. This capability is impressive, as not many watch brands can produce their own in-house movements on such a scale, especially micro-rotor movements. The technical challenge of creating sufficient winding efficiency has posed significant difficulties even for large movement manufacturers, yet YEMA was august in embracing this challenge and unquestionably succeeded.
Still don’t grasp the marvel of YEMA’s accomplishment? Consider this: it’s difficult to name another watch brand (not movement maker) producing a micro-rotor automatic movement. Perhaps Chopard’s Caliber 1.96 comes to mind, but examples are few and far between. This underscores YEMA’s remarkable achievement in the watchmaking world.
I apologize for the digression, but I hope this emphasizes the significance of what we were witnessing at YEMA.
On that long table lay a stack of blue trays, each holding several blanks recently cut by one of the machines to form the movement’s mainplate. Since the team was in the midst of producing the parts, Florian swiftly took a blank and led us to the central machine. Lea explained that this was a 5-axis cutting machine, used for precision metal cutting for watch components, an investment by YEMA when they set the arduous goal to produce their own movement parts. Florian placed the blank into the machine, closed the sliding door, input the preset dimensions into the built-in computer, and voilà. The machine began spraying out lubricant and cutting the blank, emitting a sound reminiscent of a working washing machine. Within minutes, the main outline of the mainplate started to take shape, and I was thrilled to witness the first step of the CMM.20 coming to life.
"The machine takes around 10 minutes to finish cutting one mainplate, as precision is required to cut each section, especially the holes for the jewels and screws, before moving to the second machine to remove excess material with precision," Lea translated for us. While the mainplate was being prepared, Florian demonstrated the production of the smaller bridges using another large axis cutting machine. For the bridges, a blank containing both the bridges that hold the gears and the escapement is used, maximizing material efficiency. He repeated the process, allowing us to see the bridges taking shape.
Curious, I asked, "How many movements can you produce in a day?" Lea translated Florian's response, “ YEMA can produce roughly 600 CMM.20 components per month.” This might not compare to large movement producers like Sellita and ETA, but Florian explained that the process is labor-intensive due to their small engineering division and the current machinery. "To meet our goal of 600, I sometimes don't take any days off in a month, as I oversee each stage of production, from the initial stages you’ve seen here to personally moving the final components upstairs to the assembly room," he stated.
We followed Florian to a small room on the left side of the facility, which housed various equipment on large blue shelves and old cabinets labeled with different tools. Florian highlighted the importance of the drills used to cut movement parts. On the table was a drill bit scanner, and he demonstrated how a new bit was scanned to ensure it was in top condition before use. "The precision of these drills is crucial," Lea translated. "Any deviation detected by the scanner means the machine won’t cut the blanks correctly, highlighting the importance of quality checks in producing our own movements.”
Next, we collected the finished bridges and mainplate and moved to the hallway's other side to clean and prepare the parts for YEMA’s bead blasting treatment. Florian explained the need for two different cleaning machines: the first uses larger clay beads to remove debris, and the second uses finer beads for thorough cleaning. He started the machines, which operated like cement mixers, cleaning the metal components. After a few minutes, he inspected the cleaned parts and then placed them into the second machine for a final clean.
Once the cleaning was complete and verified, we moved to the last room for the bead blasting process. I was inquisitive to aske why they didn't use traditional decoration methods like Côtes de Genève. Lea patiently replied that the matte blasted finish not only provided a modern appeal but also improved the fit and durability of the components when the movement operated. Florian then demonstrated the blasting process using an abrasive blast cabinet.
After the final manufacturing process, Florian told us that the blasted components are then sent to a Swiss partner for PVD black treatment, a process YEMA doesn’t specialize in yet. "We hope to bring this capability in-house someday," Florian said confidently, translated by Lea. With that, we completed our tour of the first level. Lea suggested we head upstairs to meet the designers who tweak these movements on their screens, and we bid farewell to Florian and his team. What a spectacular introductory experience to start our tour!
The R&D and Polishing Departments
Heading up a floor, we entered what seemed to be the R&D and logistics workshop. Taking a quick glance around, I noticed several young professionals behind their computers diligently working on technical drawings. On the other side of the room, a pair of employees, including Mario (our beloved driver), were busy boxing up complete orders for their yearning customers. There was a lot of assiduous activity and energy in the room. Lea introduced us to Anthony, one of YEMA’s senior designers who helps with the design and troubleshooting of all the CMM calibers. After shaking hands, Anthony began to show us his primary responsibilities in which was to improve their calibers.
First, he took a mainplate of the CMM 1.0 caliber and placed it on a scanner to begin his inspection. The dimensions and details of the mainplate were transferred to his computer for further analysis. Lea explained that these inspections occur when either the engineering or assembly team encounters issues with the movements. "Since we have an in-house design team, we can rectify issues almost immediately if Florian or our watchmakers detect any problems," she said. The dedication to building their own in-house calibers continued to impress me.
Anthony showed us some of the original CAD drawings of the CMM caliber, displaying each component from different angles. He emphasized that the team continuously works on improving their current calibers in every possible way. His passion was evident, matching Florian’s thorough explanations, showcasing their deep knowledge and commitment. These professionals behind the scenes are just as crucial as the frontline watchmakers we often see in photos and videos. It was as if they were the people who in fact worked on the designs and productions of your Mercedes AMG engine - the forgotten heroes in which through this article I would like to shine the lights upon. It was a breathtaking experience to shed light on these essential roles within a watch brand.
As an unexpected bonus, Anthony decided to show us how they handle laser cutting and engraving in the facility. We were led to the “Atelier De Polissage,” where engraving and polishing works took place. In the corner was a large engraving machine, which Lea explained was used for laser cutting watch parts and customizing their upcoming warranty cards. I was amazed at the intricate tasks performed in-house.
Anthony seemed to be ambidextrous who went on demonstrating how to operate the machine to cut the jewel “clique” (usually attached to the balance wheel from the top) holder for the CMM 10. He lined up a small metal blank, set the program to cut several holders at once, and we watched the laser work its magic. The parts were cut with precision within a minute. Next, he took a blank, gun-metal colored card—used for the Tourbillion models’ warranty cards—and replaced the movement parts in the machine. He then fired it up again, and we saw the inscriptions and watch drawings being laser-engraved onto the metal card’s surface.
After the demonstration, Lea introduced us to Lokfi, a young watchmaker who had joined YEMA two years ago and was responsible for all the brand’s polishing works. Dressed in his white watchmaker coat, he greeted us in English in the most polite manner. Lokfi then explained that his role was to handle the polishing work for customers who send their watches back for servicing. He guided us through different spots in the polishing room, explaining the machines and tools needed for various polishing techniques on different surfaces. What a young chap with such great responsibility!
“Most of the time, I handle the polishing for customers’ watches sent back for servicing. Each surface requires different machines and tools, including varying sandpaper thickness for satin finishes,” Lokfi said. “Sometimes, I do custom work for the company. Every YEMA timepiece now comes through my hands for any polishing requirements.”
It was remarkable to see a young professional managing such a critical aspect of YEMA’s operations, ensuring each watch meets their high standards of craftsmanship.
A Quick Catch Up Over Lunch
It would have been nice to watch the multi-hyphenate Lokfi at his tasks, but Lea kindly reminded us it was time for lunch. After a meaningful morning, we were ready for a break. We headed back to the meeting room to drop off our gear, then gathered with Christopher and Lea for lunch at a nearby French restaurant.
During the meal, we had the opportunity to introduce ourselves to Christopher in person. We learned about his current role and how he got the chance to take over YEMA when his father acquired the watch company. I must admit, Christopher was one of the nicest and most diligent young leaders I had met.
Christopher shared his behooved journey of becoming the CEO of YEMA: “When my dad asked me to take over the company a few years back, I knew I had a super important task. It almost felt like a superhero duty to handle YEMA watchmaking. But I believed I was up for the task, having followed in my father’s footsteps from a young age, watching him run Ambre’s horology segment.”
He eagerly continued, “We just wanted to make French watchmaking great again. We aim not only to revive those heroic pieces but to create something that can make a serious mark in the industry. That’s the idea. Therefore, we are determined to create our own in-house movement on French soil, with the help of our Swiss neighbours who are veterans in this field.”
Throughout the splendid meal, we exchanged stories about our experiences in both countries. Anders expressed his amazement at the sheer amount of in-house operations within YEMA. I agreed, as both of us had visited several other brands, large and small, but had never seen such an integration of work within a single building, let alone done by a truly French company. Each worker demonstrated a blend of attention and sincerity, applying the passion and motivation needed to achieve the goal of crafting a YEMA timepiece. It was a clear illustration of true watchmaking, rare in the industry, born from a combination of brazen determination and a deep well of experience.
Importance In Quality Control
The day continued with more of the watch tour. We headed back to YEMA and went straight up to the third floor, where both the administrative and storage departments were located. Lea briefed us on the roles of each employee handling tasks such as finance, sales, and aftersales, before leading us to a room where YEMA stored all their watch parts and supplies.
In the storage room, we encountered two senior employees meticulously checking a tray of complete watches, ensuring they were ready for sale. The storage area was vast, comparable in size to the engineering premises downstairs. Large cabinets, taller than an average person, were lined up uniformly, resembling the bookshelves and racks you see in a public library.
Each cabinet was labeled with the watch models currently available for sale. On one side of the room, there was a section dedicated to parts for YEMA models that were no longer in production. Lea mentioned that these parts would be stored for over ten years to accommodate watch owners who might request parts replacements and servicing. This attention to detail highlighted YEMA's commitment to their customers, even long after the initial purchase.
YEMA’s rigorous quality control is evident not only in the meticulous inspection of completed watches but also in their extensive archiving of parts. This ensures that customers receive top-notch products and continued support, reinforcing their reputation for excellence in the watchmaking industry.
The Assembly Team Of Heroes
The pivotal moment of our tour had arrived as we made our way to the "Atelier De Production" to see YEMA's assembly and watchmaking team in action. This spacious and well-appointed workshop was where the magic happened, commingling the components of each YEMA watch into a cohesive and precise timepiece. The team of watchmakers, dressed in their formal white coats, were spread uniformly across the large, silent room, a testament to their concentration and dedication.
Lea was acuity in introducing us to YEMA’s Master Watchmaker, Jean-Paul Boillot, a veteran with over four decades of experience with YEMA and the Ambre group. Approaching his workbench, Jean-Paul silently examined my wristwatch, a YEMA Superman Heritage, and nodded à la approval, offering a wide smile before returning to his task of adjusting a watch movement. This brief interaction underscored our mutual passion for horology and its was a stern moment turning into conviviality in which I would never forget.
Lea kindly informed us that Jean-Paul not only assisted in creating the second-generation YEMA2000 and 3000 calibers but also supervised every single watchmaker in the premises. He now had a young apprentice learning under his guidance, preparing to one day take over his vital role. Speaking of young “padawan", I glanced around the room revealed a team of young watchmakers, many fresh graduates from the watchmaking university in Morteau.
Our mini tour within the space began with the first row, where three adept watchmakers were working on the CMM and second-generation calibers. The contrasting black bridges, silver screws, and golden gears were hard to miss. Two ladies sat face-to-face, each placing single components on the movement plate with precision, a process reminiscent of YEMA’s efficient SORMEL operation from the past. Despite our presence, they remained focused, flawlessly executing their tasks.
We observed a young man in the middle of the row performing the final quality checks on the YEMA2000 caliber before casing the watches for water-pressure tests and timing accuracy adjustments. His meticulous attention to detail and dexterity were evident as he inspected and adjusted each movement. Right next to his row, we saw another lady inspecting trays of Rallygraf Chronograph Quartz watches. Despite being battery-operated, the level of skill and energy required to ensure each Swiss quartz caliber functioned correctly was impressive. She deftly performed checks and adjustments before placing the hands onto the dial.
At the corner of the room, a young chap was concentrating on nothing but a single task that many might deemed as mundane. He was focusing wholeheartedly handling water pressure checks, and meticulously placing cased-up Superman dive watches into the Witschi pressure machine, simulating atmospheric pressure to ensure each watch's water resistance. This crucial procedure took three to five minutes per watch, ensuring the reliability and durability of each YEMA timepiece.
After an eye-opening day at YEMA, it was time to end the day as they were about to finish their works and head off. Christopher and Lea treated us to an early dinner at one of the town’s heritage restaurants, offering us a taste of local Morteau cuisine. We spent the evening chatting, catching up, and reflecting on the incredible experience we had. They kindly dropped us back at our hotel, concluding a day filled with unforgettable moments and deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship behind YEMA watches.
Day Two At YEMA
My alarm went off at 7:30 AM, and despite still feeling some jet lag from the time difference (1:30 AM SGT back home), I got up and took a quick shower. After heading down for breakfast, I had a quick meeting with the team to ensure we covered all our agendas for the day, as it marked the last day of our tour before we headed off. Anders and I planned to conduct a proper interview with Christopher later and discuss how our two companies could work better together.
By the time we finished breakfast and our catch-up session, it was 9 AM. Lea was already at the front concierge, waiting patiently. We grabbed our gear and met her as she drove us back to the headquarters. “Bonjour,” she greeted us. “Today, we will finish up what you need for your content and show you some of our vintage pieces that Christopher and his family have kept within YEMA. Oh, and by the way, Christopher wanted to take you on a short hike into the mountains to see our whole village and the Swiss border. We thought you might love to catch some scenery before you depart.” Hearing this gave us a collective adrenaline rush. Combining the grandeur of nature with YEMA’s vintage pieces promised a perfect Day Numero Two.
Catching Up With YEMA’s Technical Watchmakers
Our first stop was back to the R&D workshop, where we were finally introduced to Nicolas Bailly, who was busy rectifying some updates on their calibers with Anthony. It was quite a sight to catch them both who were pedantic and working closely together! They greeted us and shared that they had just received feedback from Florian about tweaking a single part in the movement to allow for better efficiency. We grasped how well both the scrupulous engineers and designers worked hand in hand, discussing and taking action almost immediately without any delays, since both departments were just one level apart. The power of YEMA’s vertical integration and effective communications were exemplified right here.
Although Nicolas Bailly spoke only in French, but seeing him at work was sufficient. The man truly knew what he was doing, working swiftly with obvious prowess. He reviewed Florian’s suggestions, then struck back to his computer to tweak the movement drawings, all the while discussing his plans with Anthony. Not wanting to disturb their important work, I took a shot of them in action before we quietly moved on.
While we were on the same level as the polishing room, YEMA’s lofty Lofki came over and told us he would be touching up some cases for customers, and asked if we would like to see him at work. We obliged with excitement. We grabbed our camera gear and followed him into the “Atelier De Polissage” room, setting up our equipment as he prepared his station. Our Gnomon team captured video footage of him niftily polishing some serviced cases. Once he stopped, we asked if he would like a photo at his station to share his story in this article, and he nodded with pleasure.
At that point in time, inspired by Lofki’s idea to document who’s behind YEMA’s operandi modus, we decided to do the same for all departments. I told Lea we wanted to shoot a group photo with each team of watchmakers and engineers, and she agreed. We started with the engineering department, gathering Florian and his young padawans for a group shot. The team was equally excited, grabbing their coats and posing next to the machine that produced the bridges for all the CMM Calibers.
After taking a few photos, we proceeded to the highest floor to meet with the Atelier De Production. As I panted while climbing the stairway, I hoped YEMA’s legendary watchmaker Jean-Paul Boillot would be present, and indeed I was not disappointed. When we entered the room, the whole assembly team was busily committed to their tasks. Lea quickly communicated our request, and everyone stopped what they were doing to assemble in the middle of the room for the group shot. I got to say they were somewhat delighted with some photos, as I was worried that we had disrupted their works. I was introduced to Monsieur Boillot’s apprentice, a young French lady who had been with him for several years. “She will be the one to replace Mr. Boillot once he retires, overseeing the entire operation,” Lea explained.
During my visit to the booth, I shared my editorial ambitions with the team, and they were enthusiastic about my fervor with some diffidence. They invited me to visit YEMA in Morteau, offering me a chance to gain a better understanding of their current operations as a French watchmaker. Thrilled by their invitation, I eagerly accepted, expressing my desire to visit YEMA one day. As time passed, my fascination with the brand remained vivid in my heart.
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Views from YEMA HQ
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A year and a half later, I was finally granted the opportunity to visit YEMA. I was eager to see if my admiration for the brand, which had been growing steadily, would be fulfilled by witnessing their production processes and in-house calibers firsthand. At the end of spring the following year, we arranged our trip to Morteau.
In early June, the team and I flew from Singapore to Geneva, Switzerland, to rendezvous with YEMA’s team, who kindly fetched us by car into France. The fifteen-hour flight, coupled with a six-hour time difference, left us physically drained, but our enthusiasm was palpable. As a group of passionate watch enthusiasts, we were thrilled to be one step closer to experiencing YEMA's craftsmanship firsthand. My excitement was shooting through the roof as we embarked on this long-awaited journey.Before we continue my horology adventure, be sure to read my rather exhaustive yet informative article on Yema’s history here.
Morteau, The Town Of French Watchmaking
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Let’s head to Morteau
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After an eleven and a half hour flight, we finally landed at Zurich airport and made our early morning transit to Geneva. There, our friends from YEMA were waiting for us. Initially, meeting them was a bit awkward, especially since we weren’t sure if we spoke a common language. However, Lea and her partner Mario greeted us warmly, as if we had known each other for a long time. Though we had communicated through emails and Zoom meetings, meeting in person was different. Lea broke the ice by speaking English, as none of us from Gnomon were fluent in French. She made sure we were alright after the long flight and guided us to our transport to Morteau. Mario, who handles YEMA’s logistics, wasn’t well-versed in English, but he showed great amiability by assisting with our luggage, always with a big smile.
We split into two cars, and I tagged along with Mario. Once all our gear and luggage were loaded, we set off for France. I was amazed at how easily we could drive from Geneva, the second-most populous city in Switzerland, to another country. Mario tried to explain the route to me in French, and I managed to understand that it would take about two hours, crossing La Chaux-de-Fonds and into Morteau.
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Beautiful scenery for our whole travel
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The drive offered beautiful bucolic scenery that we don't often see in a city country. One memorable moment was the hill drive after crossing Neuchâtel into Morteau. The trees and green pastures of the Swiss and French Alps were breathtaking. Mario noticed my awe and pulled over at a cliffside so we could all enjoy the view and stretch our legs after the long ride. Throughout the ride I was deeply pondering on the French town where belies the location of Lycée Edgar Faure – the French watchmaking school in Morteau where many renown watchmakers graduated from, while the school provided a steady flow of watchmakers to Switzerland over the years.
We finally arrived at Morteau's center, where Lea and Mario checked us into our hotel, La Guimbarde. This emblematic building, established around 1850, is located in the city center, surrounded by shops, restaurants, and just a few minutes' walk from the town’s renowned Clock Museum Haut Doubs and YEMA headquarters. Though we were advised to rest, we couldn't resist exploring the French town that preserved the watchmaking culture. After settling into our rooms, we eagerly ventured out to discover the town.
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(Photo Credit: La-guimbarde.com) |
Before heading out to explore, we decided to grab a quick bite at a nearby café. We were delighted to discuss our plans for the next day while enjoying pizzas and some house white wine. Morteau gave off a similar vibe to neighboring towns like Neuchâtel: Squale - Insight and La Chaux-de-Fonds: A Visit to Marathon Watch Company 2023, with a sense of zen and quietness in a place where approximately six thousand locals reside.
First, we took a stroll around the city center, passing several schools and residences. Morteau, situated in the middle of the Alps, meant that every path we took felt like a hike. Before calling it a day, we initially wanted to check out the famous watch museum at the bottom of the town. Unfortunately, we found it closed for renovation. Although it felt like a missed opportunity, we told ourselves we would definitely return to check it out. After all, it's a must for any watch enthusiast.
Tour De Yema
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That’s how big YEMA and Ambre group is in Morteau
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The next day, Lea greeted us at our hotel lobby, kindly driving us over to YEMA’s facility. Within minutes, we arrived at a large, modern building with prominent signs: “YEMA 1948” at the top and “Yonger & Bresson 1975” below. Turning into the side entrance, we noticed the “AMBRE” company sign, marking our entry point. For those unfamiliar with AMBRE, you can read more in my article here. In brief, AMBRE Group, a family-run company that has upheld French watchmaking for several decades, currently owns YEMA. Mr. Christopher Bole, son of Pascal Bole (CEO of AMBRE Group), oversees YEMA’s operations. Pascal acquired YEMA and its remaining team in the early 2000s.
At the front door, Christopher himself greeted us. Bright and cheerful in his semi-formal outfit of long sleeves and jeans, he was chuffed to see his visitors and welcomed us warmly. We entered the building and ascended to the top floor, where the lounge was located. Lea and Chris (as we would call him from now on) shared insights about each level: the ground floor housed manufacturing operations; the second floor was home to the design team, polishing and laser engraving facilities, and the packing department; the third floor contained administrative offices and the stock room; and finally, the fourth floor, where we were, hosted the meeting lounge and the assembly team.
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The main entrance is from the side of the building
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Clandestinely, we caught a glimpse of the assembly team at work, meticulously putting together movements and double-checking cased watches with water-pressure and time checks. I will delve deeper into their processes later in this article, but for now, let’s focus on our first day.
The lounge area was expansive, featuring a long oval table, coincided with wooden YEMA showcases displaying the current collections, and two cozy leather sofas that matched the showcases. The room was brightly lit with natural light streaming in from all sides. Each window offered stunning views of the picturesque cottages below, surrounded by green pastures and cows, all framed by the majestic French and Swiss Alps. It was truly a breathtaking sight.
YEMA The In-House Manufacturer
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Anders catching up with Christopher. The two bosses of respective companies
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On the other side of the lounge was where we would have our meeting and set up our equipment. Our main tasks were to document YEMA’s adept operations in both video and article formats. As we were setting up, Anders was discussing with Christopher and Lea about gaining a deeper understanding of what each level of the facility was doing, to better absorb and comprehend the apropos of horological processes before diving into our tasks. They graciously granted us exclusive access, which we were truly grateful for, as it’s not every day that YEMA allows anyone to explore its operations, let alone document the entire process.
With permission granted, we wasted no time and headed down to the ground level to officially begin our tour. The ground floor featured a large door that led to an area reminiscent of a heritage factory. The space was quite expansive, housing a few large machines and three sub-rooms containing smaller ones. We were modestly greeted by two young operators and a senior engineer, all dressed in YEMA’s “#TimeOfHeroes” watchmaking coats—one in white and two in blue. It was clear they were busy with several large machines responsible for cutting metals, and our presence briefly interrupted their work. Although they spoke only French and we primarily spoke English (beyond a basic "Bonjour"), Lea kindly stayed with us to translate.
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The ground level is where the magic begins
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The senior engineer, Monsieur Florian, was evidently the floor captain thanks to his panache. He introduced himself and explained he would take us through each step of their process. Not wanting to miss any opportunity, we quickly set up our cameras as Florian began his detailed walkthrough. First, he led us to a table in the far right corner, where we saw movement blanks in their raw state: square brass pieces ready to be cut into components for the CMM.20.
The Caliber Manufacture Morteau 20 is YEMA’s current micro-rotor movement, designed in-house by Olivier Mory, a developer with over 20 years of experience at companies like Audemars Piguet, Sellita, Piaget, and Cartier. Remarkably, the bridges and mainplates are manufactured right here at this facility. This capability is impressive, as not many watch brands can produce their own in-house movements on such a scale, especially micro-rotor movements. The technical challenge of creating sufficient winding efficiency has posed significant difficulties even for large movement manufacturers, yet YEMA was august in embracing this challenge and unquestionably succeeded.
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Monsieur Florian speaking to Anders with Lea translating
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Still don’t grasp the marvel of YEMA’s accomplishment? Consider this: it’s difficult to name another watch brand (not movement maker) producing a micro-rotor automatic movement. Perhaps Chopard’s Caliber 1.96 comes to mind, but examples are few and far between. This underscores YEMA’s remarkable achievement in the watchmaking world.
I apologize for the digression, but I hope this emphasizes the significance of what we were witnessing at YEMA.
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The Chopard micro-rotor Caliber 1.96. (Photo Credit: Hodinkee)
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On that long table lay a stack of blue trays, each holding several blanks recently cut by one of the machines to form the movement’s mainplate. Since the team was in the midst of producing the parts, Florian swiftly took a blank and led us to the central machine. Lea explained that this was a 5-axis cutting machine, used for precision metal cutting for watch components, an investment by YEMA when they set the arduous goal to produce their own movement parts. Florian placed the blank into the machine, closed the sliding door, input the preset dimensions into the built-in computer, and voilà. The machine began spraying out lubricant and cutting the blank, emitting a sound reminiscent of a working washing machine. Within minutes, the main outline of the mainplate started to take shape, and I was thrilled to witness the first step of the CMM.20 coming to life.
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The manipulate of the CMM comes to life.
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"The machine takes around 10 minutes to finish cutting one mainplate, as precision is required to cut each section, especially the holes for the jewels and screws, before moving to the second machine to remove excess material with precision," Lea translated for us. While the mainplate was being prepared, Florian demonstrated the production of the smaller bridges using another large axis cutting machine. For the bridges, a blank containing both the bridges that hold the gears and the escapement is used, maximizing material efficiency. He repeated the process, allowing us to see the bridges taking shape.
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The CNC machine in action. And Florian kindly explaining the whole process.
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Curious, I asked, "How many movements can you produce in a day?" Lea translated Florian's response, “ YEMA can produce roughly 600 CMM.20 components per month.” This might not compare to large movement producers like Sellita and ETA, but Florian explained that the process is labor-intensive due to their small engineering division and the current machinery. "To meet our goal of 600, I sometimes don't take any days off in a month, as I oversee each stage of production, from the initial stages you’ve seen here to personally moving the final components upstairs to the assembly room," he stated.
We followed Florian to a small room on the left side of the facility, which housed various equipment on large blue shelves and old cabinets labeled with different tools. Florian highlighted the importance of the drills used to cut movement parts. On the table was a drill bit scanner, and he demonstrated how a new bit was scanned to ensure it was in top condition before use. "The precision of these drills is crucial," Lea translated. "Any deviation detected by the scanner means the machine won’t cut the blanks correctly, highlighting the importance of quality checks in producing our own movements.”
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The small room thats filled with tools and drill heads
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Next, we collected the finished bridges and mainplate and moved to the hallway's other side to clean and prepare the parts for YEMA’s bead blasting treatment. Florian explained the need for two different cleaning machines: the first uses larger clay beads to remove debris, and the second uses finer beads for thorough cleaning. He started the machines, which operated like cement mixers, cleaning the metal components. After a few minutes, he inspected the cleaned parts and then placed them into the second machine for a final clean.
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Florian explaining how the cleaning machines work for the CMM calibers
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The plate thats need some cleaning to do
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Once the cleaning was complete and verified, we moved to the last room for the bead blasting process. I was inquisitive to aske why they didn't use traditional decoration methods like Côtes de Genève. Lea patiently replied that the matte blasted finish not only provided a modern appeal but also improved the fit and durability of the components when the movement operated. Florian then demonstrated the blasting process using an abrasive blast cabinet.
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The final bead-blasting process
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After the final manufacturing process, Florian told us that the blasted components are then sent to a Swiss partner for PVD black treatment, a process YEMA doesn’t specialize in yet. "We hope to bring this capability in-house someday," Florian said confidently, translated by Lea. With that, we completed our tour of the first level. Lea suggested we head upstairs to meet the designers who tweak these movements on their screens, and we bid farewell to Florian and his team. What a spectacular introductory experience to start our tour!
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The man behind the works of making the CMM movements come to life
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The R&D and Polishing Departments
Heading up a floor, we entered what seemed to be the R&D and logistics workshop. Taking a quick glance around, I noticed several young professionals behind their computers diligently working on technical drawings. On the other side of the room, a pair of employees, including Mario (our beloved driver), were busy boxing up complete orders for their yearning customers. There was a lot of assiduous activity and energy in the room. Lea introduced us to Anthony, one of YEMA’s senior designers who helps with the design and troubleshooting of all the CMM calibers. After shaking hands, Anthony began to show us his primary responsibilities in which was to improve their calibers.
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The other kind of tools and machines for the designers
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First, he took a mainplate of the CMM 1.0 caliber and placed it on a scanner to begin his inspection. The dimensions and details of the mainplate were transferred to his computer for further analysis. Lea explained that these inspections occur when either the engineering or assembly team encounters issues with the movements. "Since we have an in-house design team, we can rectify issues almost immediately if Florian or our watchmakers detect any problems," she said. The dedication to building their own in-house calibers continued to impress me.
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Anthony showing us he edits and improves the CMM caliber
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Anthony showed us some of the original CAD drawings of the CMM caliber, displaying each component from different angles. He emphasized that the team continuously works on improving their current calibers in every possible way. His passion was evident, matching Florian’s thorough explanations, showcasing their deep knowledge and commitment. These professionals behind the scenes are just as crucial as the frontline watchmakers we often see in photos and videos. It was as if they were the people who in fact worked on the designs and productions of your Mercedes AMG engine - the forgotten heroes in which through this article I would like to shine the lights upon. It was a breathtaking experience to shed light on these essential roles within a watch brand.
As an unexpected bonus, Anthony decided to show us how they handle laser cutting and engraving in the facility. We were led to the “Atelier De Polissage,” where engraving and polishing works took place. In the corner was a large engraving machine, which Lea explained was used for laser cutting watch parts and customizing their upcoming warranty cards. I was amazed at the intricate tasks performed in-house.
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“Atelier De Polissage”
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Anthony seemed to be ambidextrous who went on demonstrating how to operate the machine to cut the jewel “clique” (usually attached to the balance wheel from the top) holder for the CMM 10. He lined up a small metal blank, set the program to cut several holders at once, and we watched the laser work its magic. The parts were cut with precision within a minute. Next, he took a blank, gun-metal colored card—used for the Tourbillion models’ warranty cards—and replaced the movement parts in the machine. He then fired it up again, and we saw the inscriptions and watch drawings being laser-engraved onto the metal card’s surface.
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Anthony working the laser-cutting machine
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The machine is able to personalise YEMA’s warranty card too
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After the demonstration, Lea introduced us to Lokfi, a young watchmaker who had joined YEMA two years ago and was responsible for all the brand’s polishing works. Dressed in his white watchmaker coat, he greeted us in English in the most polite manner. Lokfi then explained that his role was to handle the polishing work for customers who send their watches back for servicing. He guided us through different spots in the polishing room, explaining the machines and tools needed for various polishing techniques on different surfaces. What a young chap with such great responsibility!
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The young watchmaker Lokfi whose in-charge of all the polishing works.
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“Most of the time, I handle the polishing for customers’ watches sent back for servicing. Each surface requires different machines and tools, including varying sandpaper thickness for satin finishes,” Lokfi said. “Sometimes, I do custom work for the company. Every YEMA timepiece now comes through my hands for any polishing requirements.”
It was remarkable to see a young professional managing such a critical aspect of YEMA’s operations, ensuring each watch meets their high standards of craftsmanship.
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One of Lokfi’s work desk
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A Quick Catch Up Over Lunch
It would have been nice to watch the multi-hyphenate Lokfi at his tasks, but Lea kindly reminded us it was time for lunch. After a meaningful morning, we were ready for a break. We headed back to the meeting room to drop off our gear, then gathered with Christopher and Lea for lunch at a nearby French restaurant.
During the meal, we had the opportunity to introduce ourselves to Christopher in person. We learned about his current role and how he got the chance to take over YEMA when his father acquired the watch company. I must admit, Christopher was one of the nicest and most diligent young leaders I had met.
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Some catch up during our lunch
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Christopher shared his behooved journey of becoming the CEO of YEMA: “When my dad asked me to take over the company a few years back, I knew I had a super important task. It almost felt like a superhero duty to handle YEMA watchmaking. But I believed I was up for the task, having followed in my father’s footsteps from a young age, watching him run Ambre’s horology segment.”
He eagerly continued, “We just wanted to make French watchmaking great again. We aim not only to revive those heroic pieces but to create something that can make a serious mark in the industry. That’s the idea. Therefore, we are determined to create our own in-house movement on French soil, with the help of our Swiss neighbours who are veterans in this field.”
Throughout the splendid meal, we exchanged stories about our experiences in both countries. Anders expressed his amazement at the sheer amount of in-house operations within YEMA. I agreed, as both of us had visited several other brands, large and small, but had never seen such an integration of work within a single building, let alone done by a truly French company. Each worker demonstrated a blend of attention and sincerity, applying the passion and motivation needed to achieve the goal of crafting a YEMA timepiece. It was a clear illustration of true watchmaking, rare in the industry, born from a combination of brazen determination and a deep well of experience.
Importance In Quality Control
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One of the staff doing some QC on a new batch of watches
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The day continued with more of the watch tour. We headed back to YEMA and went straight up to the third floor, where both the administrative and storage departments were located. Lea briefed us on the roles of each employee handling tasks such as finance, sales, and aftersales, before leading us to a room where YEMA stored all their watch parts and supplies.
In the storage room, we encountered two senior employees meticulously checking a tray of complete watches, ensuring they were ready for sale. The storage area was vast, comparable in size to the engineering premises downstairs. Large cabinets, taller than an average person, were lined up uniformly, resembling the bookshelves and racks you see in a public library.
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YEMA’s vault. This is as behind the scene as it can get
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Each cabinet was labeled with the watch models currently available for sale. On one side of the room, there was a section dedicated to parts for YEMA models that were no longer in production. Lea mentioned that these parts would be stored for over ten years to accommodate watch owners who might request parts replacements and servicing. This attention to detail highlighted YEMA's commitment to their customers, even long after the initial purchase.
YEMA’s rigorous quality control is evident not only in the meticulous inspection of completed watches but also in their extensive archiving of parts. This ensures that customers receive top-notch products and continued support, reinforcing their reputation for excellence in the watchmaking industry.
The Assembly Team Of Heroes
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| “Atelier De Production” |
The pivotal moment of our tour had arrived as we made our way to the "Atelier De Production" to see YEMA's assembly and watchmaking team in action. This spacious and well-appointed workshop was where the magic happened, commingling the components of each YEMA watch into a cohesive and precise timepiece. The team of watchmakers, dressed in their formal white coats, were spread uniformly across the large, silent room, a testament to their concentration and dedication.
Lea was acuity in introducing us to YEMA’s Master Watchmaker, Jean-Paul Boillot, a veteran with over four decades of experience with YEMA and the Ambre group. Approaching his workbench, Jean-Paul silently examined my wristwatch, a YEMA Superman Heritage, and nodded à la approval, offering a wide smile before returning to his task of adjusting a watch movement. This brief interaction underscored our mutual passion for horology and its was a stern moment turning into conviviality in which I would never forget.
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Master Watchmaker JP Boillot at work
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Lea kindly informed us that Jean-Paul not only assisted in creating the second-generation YEMA2000 and 3000 calibers but also supervised every single watchmaker in the premises. He now had a young apprentice learning under his guidance, preparing to one day take over his vital role. Speaking of young “padawan", I glanced around the room revealed a team of young watchmakers, many fresh graduates from the watchmaking university in Morteau.
Our mini tour within the space began with the first row, where three adept watchmakers were working on the CMM and second-generation calibers. The contrasting black bridges, silver screws, and golden gears were hard to miss. Two ladies sat face-to-face, each placing single components on the movement plate with precision, a process reminiscent of YEMA’s efficient SORMEL operation from the past. Despite our presence, they remained focused, flawlessly executing their tasks.
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The room is apparently filled with most watchmakers at a young age
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Watchmaker assemblying the CMM caliber
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A conveyor belt system helps to speed things up efficiently for the watchmaker
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We observed a young man in the middle of the row performing the final quality checks on the YEMA2000 caliber before casing the watches for water-pressure tests and timing accuracy adjustments. His meticulous attention to detail and dexterity were evident as he inspected and adjusted each movement. Right next to his row, we saw another lady inspecting trays of Rallygraf Chronograph Quartz watches. Despite being battery-operated, the level of skill and energy required to ensure each Swiss quartz caliber functioned correctly was impressive. She deftly performed checks and adjustments before placing the hands onto the dial.
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The young lady performing the QC before water-pressure test
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Another watchmaker handling the Quartz Rallygraf Chronographs
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At the corner of the room, a young chap was concentrating on nothing but a single task that many might deemed as mundane. He was focusing wholeheartedly handling water pressure checks, and meticulously placing cased-up Superman dive watches into the Witschi pressure machine, simulating atmospheric pressure to ensure each watch's water resistance. This crucial procedure took three to five minutes per watch, ensuring the reliability and durability of each YEMA timepiece.
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The young chap has only one task, and its and important one
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After an eye-opening day at YEMA, it was time to end the day as they were about to finish their works and head off. Christopher and Lea treated us to an early dinner at one of the town’s heritage restaurants, offering us a taste of local Morteau cuisine. We spent the evening chatting, catching up, and reflecting on the incredible experience we had. They kindly dropped us back at our hotel, concluding a day filled with unforgettable moments and deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship behind YEMA watches.
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Few more shots of others working on the CMM movements
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Day Two At YEMA
My alarm went off at 7:30 AM, and despite still feeling some jet lag from the time difference (1:30 AM SGT back home), I got up and took a quick shower. After heading down for breakfast, I had a quick meeting with the team to ensure we covered all our agendas for the day, as it marked the last day of our tour before we headed off. Anders and I planned to conduct a proper interview with Christopher later and discuss how our two companies could work better together.
By the time we finished breakfast and our catch-up session, it was 9 AM. Lea was already at the front concierge, waiting patiently. We grabbed our gear and met her as she drove us back to the headquarters. “Bonjour,” she greeted us. “Today, we will finish up what you need for your content and show you some of our vintage pieces that Christopher and his family have kept within YEMA. Oh, and by the way, Christopher wanted to take you on a short hike into the mountains to see our whole village and the Swiss border. We thought you might love to catch some scenery before you depart.” Hearing this gave us a collective adrenaline rush. Combining the grandeur of nature with YEMA’s vintage pieces promised a perfect Day Numero Two.
Catching Up With YEMA’s Technical Watchmakers
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Finally get to meet Nicolas Bailly at YEMA
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Our first stop was back to the R&D workshop, where we were finally introduced to Nicolas Bailly, who was busy rectifying some updates on their calibers with Anthony. It was quite a sight to catch them both who were pedantic and working closely together! They greeted us and shared that they had just received feedback from Florian about tweaking a single part in the movement to allow for better efficiency. We grasped how well both the scrupulous engineers and designers worked hand in hand, discussing and taking action almost immediately without any delays, since both departments were just one level apart. The power of YEMA’s vertical integration and effective communications were exemplified right here.
Although Nicolas Bailly spoke only in French, but seeing him at work was sufficient. The man truly knew what he was doing, working swiftly with obvious prowess. He reviewed Florian’s suggestions, then struck back to his computer to tweak the movement drawings, all the while discussing his plans with Anthony. Not wanting to disturb their important work, I took a shot of them in action before we quietly moved on.
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Both Nicolas and Anthony at work
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While we were on the same level as the polishing room, YEMA’s lofty Lofki came over and told us he would be touching up some cases for customers, and asked if we would like to see him at work. We obliged with excitement. We grabbed our camera gear and followed him into the “Atelier De Polissage” room, setting up our equipment as he prepared his station. Our Gnomon team captured video footage of him niftily polishing some serviced cases. Once he stopped, we asked if he would like a photo at his station to share his story in this article, and he nodded with pleasure.
At that point in time, inspired by Lofki’s idea to document who’s behind YEMA’s operandi modus, we decided to do the same for all departments. I told Lea we wanted to shoot a group photo with each team of watchmakers and engineers, and she agreed. We started with the engineering department, gathering Florian and his young padawans for a group shot. The team was equally excited, grabbing their coats and posing next to the machine that produced the bridges for all the CMM Calibers.
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The “Mighty” Lokfi.
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After taking a few photos, we proceeded to the highest floor to meet with the Atelier De Production. As I panted while climbing the stairway, I hoped YEMA’s legendary watchmaker Jean-Paul Boillot would be present, and indeed I was not disappointed. When we entered the room, the whole assembly team was busily committed to their tasks. Lea quickly communicated our request, and everyone stopped what they were doing to assemble in the middle of the room for the group shot. I got to say they were somewhat delighted with some photos, as I was worried that we had disrupted their works. I was introduced to Monsieur Boillot’s apprentice, a young French lady who had been with him for several years. “She will be the one to replace Mr. Boillot once he retires, overseeing the entire operation,” Lea explained.
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Both The Teams behind the movements and watches we see today
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Once we gathered the whole team of watchmakers and took our photos, I shook hands with everyone and thanked them for keeping YEMA watches going, allowing customers like us to enjoy them throughout our watch journeys. Before departing, I took the last opportunity to watch them at their dedicated tasks. Seeing every single thing they do truly ignited my passion for horology, deepening my appreciation for the craft behind the finished product on my wrist.
Views From Morteau
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| Views are just incredible |
By now, we were almost done with all we needed to accomplish during this visit. We were simply down to the final interview and discussions for potential collaborations between our companies before heading back to Switzerland. Christopher came into the assembly room to greet us and informed us that he wanted us to take a quick break to have some sightseeing from the top of the village. From there, we could see the entire watchmaking town and the surrounding areas, including the Swiss side. Knowing Christopher had taken time out of his busy schedule to give us this tour, we wasted no time and followed him to our rides as we knew it would be a waste if we didn’t get to check out these spectacular sights of the town.
Once in the car, it took us around ten to fifteen minutes of hill climbing through winding paths to reach our first vantage point. As we stepped out of the cars, a cool breeze reminded us of our elevation above sea level. We walked to the edge of a hill, where we were greeted with one of the most beautiful sights I had ever seen. The bright sun and clear blue sky amplified the grandeur of the entire town of Morteau, surrounded by smaller villages and farms on varying terrains. Herds of cows grazed peacefully, all framed by the majestic Swiss and French Alps.
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| Right at the border of Switzerland and France |
After soaking in the view, we quickly headed to another vantage point, passing the borders between Le Locle and La Chaux De Fonds. We arrived at a hillside road, and upon alighting, Christopher led us into the woods for a short five-minute hike. The initial descent was a bit daunting, especially for us first-timers carrying camera gear and stands, but the adventurous spirit kicked in. Maneuvering up and down rocky steps, we finally arrived at a stunning cliff where two nations' borders were separated by a beautiful lake. We stood there, admiring the scenery, sharing small chats among ourselves before making our ascent back to the cars.
The blend of natural beauty and our shared passion for horology made this side tour an unforgettable experience, adding a touch of adventure and serenity to our productive visit.
Sharing The Heritage With Us
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| Some vintage YEMAs from Christopher himself |
At last, we headed back to YEMA after a quick rosti lunch at a charming French cottage nestled in the hills, and dove straight into our final agendas. We got both Christopher and myself mic’d up for an interview conducted in French: A Conversation with Christopher from Yema: Inside the World of French Watchmaking, as he felt more comfortable in his native language. The interview took about an hour, with numerous questions asked to provide our viewers with in-depth insights into YEMA.
After an intensive Q&A session, Christopher decided to lighten the mood by sharing some horological treasures from YEMA's past. He brought out two large, folder-like watch bags and explained that these contained his personal collection, amassed over years. The watches had either been passed down by senior staff who had kept them for decades or acquired through intense bidding at watch auctions to preserve YEMA's heritage. “By no means are these collections extensive enough to encapsulate all of YEMA’s novelties throughout the years, but we’re slowly acquiring one by one through auction houses and collectors,” Christopher mentioned, his ambition to expand his vintage collection evident.
We spent some time marveling at the heritage pieces, each with its own story and significance. After this fascinating glimpse into YEMA's history, we had a few more discussions before concluding our trip, leaving with hearts full and minds inspired.
Below are some of the vintage models that stood out to me personally from Christopher's archives. Enjoy.
Personal Thoughts
The visit to YEMA was a pivotal moment for all of us. As die-hard watch enthusiasts, we often assumed that brands like YEMA, being a smaller independent entity outside of Switzerland, were revitalized only after being acquired by a larger company. However, witnessing YEMA's operations firsthand in Morteau shattered this assumption, revealing the immense effort and tenacity behind their recent launches and updates. This experience profoundly elevated our initial impression.
I could sense a strong spirit of independence and passion permeating their French culture. YEMA continues to keep their watchmaking within the country, relying on their network of partners from neighboring Switzerland while pursuing a direction driven by their own vision. I came to understand the story of how YEMA has evolved, including notable examples of their efforts in producing their own calibers—a bold move that few other watch brands dare to undertake. This journey showcases their potential and commitment to innovation.
Mr. Christopher Bole, the leader of YEMA, demonstrated virtuous qualities and strong acumen. His dedication to making a difference is evident, and he is deeply respected by his team of over fifty employees. His commitment to long-term goals and his passion for reviving French watchmaking are admirable. His leadership, marked by trust in his team and the ability to steer the company towards excellence, is truly impressive. His judicious ability to infuse the company's know-how into modern horology has been flawless from the start.
Reflecting on my experience during this visit, I am particularly intrigued by the recent innovations that showcase the capabilities of Ambre Group and YEMA. For instance, the decision to produce in-house movements within their French facility was a bold yet necessary move in today's market. This move, which seeks to produce more in-house novelties instead of relying on movement suppliers like ETA and Sellita, demonstrates the brand's commitment to innovative design and exceptional craftsmanship, further cementing French horology's return to greatness.
Each evolution built on the last, with innovations from the first caliber becoming essential stepping stones. It became clear that each caliber development was intended to cumulatively enhance YEMA's effectiveness in tackling technical challenges. Kudos to the phenomenal team, from young watchmakers like Lokfi to veterans like senior engineer Florian, designer Anthony, and watchmaker Jean-Paul Boillot. They opened my eyes to the intricate work behind the brand. Our guide Lea also played a crucial role in facilitating communication throughout the two-day tour, showcasing her sophisticated skill in translating languages.
Despite the current technical sophistications, each timepiece produced by YEMA remains true to its core, incorporating innovations geared towards functionality and practicality. I can envision what Mr. Belmont, the founder, would be doing if he were alive today—improving his SORMEL with modern technology to produce even finer tool watches for various professionals.
Conclusion
Sharing my tour experience may be exhaustive for my dear readers, but I sincerely hope to convey every essence of what makes the French brand YEMA extraordinary today. The team's innovation extends far beyond simply introducing new colours and sizes for its famed Superman divers or Rallygraf chronographs, a practice common among many emerging and established brands. YEMA infuses every aspect of its creations with excellence, from producing its own movements to the final assembly. Designers, engineers, and watchmakers work hand in hand, combining their talents to create timepieces that are as innovative as they are beautiful.
The brand’s dedication to craftsmanship is evident in the meticulous attention paid to every detail, no matter how small. Every sketch, CNC cut, quality check, and precise stroke is a testament to the skill and dedication of the entire team. As an aesthetic collector privileged to witness the entire operation, the experience was both transcendent and mind-blowing. Watchmaking at YEMA becomes a narrative, a succession of moments crafted in French soil, each human touch telling its own enchanting tale. This extraordinary tour revealed YEMA to be more than just a revival of vintage pieces from its glorious past; its endeavors symbolize a legacy that continues to redefine the boundaries of luxurious beauty and ardent craftsmanship.
