Flying high – the new Yema Flygraph Pilot

Everyone has a vision on how a pilot watch should look like. To some people it is all about utility, legibility and heritage and for others, is about that golden era of traveling, something more elegant. In my eyes, if could merge these two thoughts together, we will have a winner, and I believe that the new Yema Flygraph Pilot could hit the mark very well.

If we look at all the characteristics described, Yema is a brand that could easily tick all of them. The French brand is not only known for making outstanding racing chronographs or legendary divers, but they also have their ‘’know how’’ when it comes to dressier pieces.

Flygraph is the line from Yema that looks at their pilot heritage watches, they were originally designed to provide those elements of legibility while on the air. We have to say that from the chronographs to their titanium offerings with manufacture calibres, they are a very compelling when compared to other brands.

Today we are looking at their Pilot Flygraph which is their more classical looking watches, they bring nostalgia and also modernity in design. The Flygraph is a watch that can be worn everyday with any outfit that you throw at it, and not only that, it is also extremely good looking.

The Flygraph comes in 2 variants, and we were lucky enough to have them here with us to give you an exclusive hands-on. It is your choice to decide which one you will go for, let’s begin.

Technical Specifications

There is no denying that sector dials are beautiful, to me they are the quintessential elegance needed to bridge between casual and sporty. The 38.5mm stainless steel case is just a work of art, there are round surfaces which are polished at the bezel level with brushed angular lugs which curved down to hug the wrist.

The dial can be seen through a sapphire crystal that at first glance, it looks like it was a mineral one, mainly because of the beautiful warm and distortion that it projects, it is quite curved and well executed. Inside that crystal we can find the 2 variants of the Flygraph, a black dial with aged numerals (which at this point they look more gilt than beige) and a military green with white numerals. Part of the charm of the dial design are those polished markers intercalating with the applied numerals and if you add the outer track, well everything looks quite ‘’chic’’.  There is a lot going on the dial in terms of design but somehow it feels minimalistic, it is not an easy effect to accomplish but it has been achieved.

Turn the watch over and you are greeted with one of the best embossed casebacks I’ve handled at any price point. The mixed of textures to only make it more vivid but also richer in detail, it is quite nicely executed.

Behind that caseback we can find the Sellita SW200-1 which gives the watch 38 hours of power reserve and because of the signed screw down crown, the watch has 100 meters of water resistance. It keeps up with that go anywhere do anything ethos.

On the wrist

The 38.5mm in diameter is a good start and now aided by a short lug to lug of 46mm in length and a thinness of 8.8mm you can already imagine how good it wears. For reference I have a 6.25-inch wrist, and I have to say that is the perfect size, not too small nor too big.

The thin bezel makes the watch feel larger but in a good way and then we have the legibility. The Flygraph looks great under reflections thanks to the AR coated treatment and let’s not forget the applied Superluminova, it is potent in both versions and glows with any chance that it gets.

Looking at each individual variants, the black version has a glossy dial and with those gilt accents, it looks very elegant and very expensive, add the bracelet (more on this point later) and you have a watch that manage to blend well on a cocktail event, even a very formal wedding. If we move to the military green version, well the things change a bit and although it might not look as elegant as its sibling, it just makes for it with versatility. The green is also glossy but with white numerals, the watch feels very much like a ‘’grab and go’’ for any occasion. You can use a nylon strap or the supplied green leather 2 piece from Yema, this green beauty can be used anytime of the day.

The bracelet is another point we need to describe well. It has an angular construction that matches the lugs and then a 5-piece construction making it fluid, it drapes on my wrist. It has 19mm at the end link and ends on a butterfly clasp which keeps the construction thin just like the case. It also has features like quick release for easy change.

The supplied leather strap is good quality too, it tappers nicely from 19mm to 16mm, and ends up in that pin buckle that also matches the rest of the composition, it is well thought out.

I wore the Flygraph mostly in office environments as it just works well with a more casual outfit. That said I see no issues on throwing the watch on a grey nylon and use it at the gym, after all it has all the water resistance needed and a robust movement to take nay beating.

Concluding thoughts

It is great to see a big brands making pilot watches that do not need huge wrists to be used, something a bit more tamed with a touch of elegance. The Flygraph Pilot is a breath of fresh air when it comes to a simple 3 hander, no date and water resistance that keeps things simple and good looking. Another advantage that we have is that the movement is a proven workhorse that is also backed by Yema’s 2 years warranty, this is the best peace of mind we could ask for,

Regarding which variants should you choose, I would say that the green dial is more versatile than the black dial, mainly because the colourway is easier to match with different outfits. That said, the black dial is more elegant and for some reason I cannot stop staring at it. I know is not a helpful way to describe it but if I had to choose, well I am not sure as I like them both.

Coming to the price, the Yema Flygraph starts at 990$ which we believe is incredible considering that is a unique design with a flawless construction. If you want to add the bracelet which I would recommend, it is 100$ more, it is a no brainer.

If you want to know more from this great French brand and this particular line, please visit https://yema.com/products/yema-flygraf-pilot-yfly25-ams

Technical Specifications

Sellita SW200

Material: Polished 316L stainless steel case with circular brushed bezel

Diameter: 38.5mm

Thickness: 8.80mm

Lugs: 19mm

Sector dial with sandblasted finish

Applied hour markers in stainless steel

Hour and minute hands treated with Super-LumiNova Grade A

Applied markers, minute track and second hand in micro-polished stainless steel