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

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.