Yema Superman Slim CMM.20
The dive watch world is full of tough talk. Big cases, chunky bezels, and movements that sound like they could power a submarine. The problem is that many of them also wear like a submarine. Enter the Yema Superman Slim CMM.20, a diver that has clearly decided it would quite like to slip under a shirt cuff now and again.
The Superman name is nothing new. In fact, it is one of the most recognisable dive watch lines to come out of France. First introduced in the 1960s, the Superman became known for its distinctive bezel lock and robust build. This latest version keeps the spirit alive while quietly trimming a bit of the waistline.
At 39mm across and just under 10mm thick, the Superman Slim feels exactly as the name suggests. Slim. Elegant, even. That is quite the trick for a watch capable of diving down to 300 metres. Most dive watches with that level of water resistance tend to resemble hockey pucks strapped to the wrist. This one is far more refined.
The case is stainless steel with brushed surfaces and polished bevels that catch the light just enough to remind you that this is not just a tool watch. Curved lugs help the watch hug the wrist, while the double domed sapphire crystal adds a touch of vintage character along with some welcome distortion at the edges.
The dial is where things get interesting. Finished in a sunburst black or blue, it has a depth and shine that plays beautifully with light. Polished hands and applied markers are filled with Super LumiNova, so legibility remains excellent whether you are exploring the deep sea or the back of a dimly lit pub.
Then there is the movement. Inside sits the CMM.20 calibre, a manufacture micro rotor movement produced in France. The micro rotor architecture allows the movement to remain thin while still delivering a healthy 70 hour power reserve. Accuracy is rated at around minus three to plus seven seconds per day, which puts it in impressively precise territory for a mechanical diver.
The bezel, naturally, is built for business. A unidirectional dive bezel with a sapphire insert gives it a glossy and slightly luxurious feel. At twelve o clock sits a luminescent marker that glows brightly when the lights go down. And yes, the famous Superman bezel lock system is still present, a charming reminder that Yema likes to do things its own way.
Completing the package is our favourite part… the Scales Slim bracelet, a refined take on Yema’s classic 1960s design. It tapers neatly towards the clasp and sits comfortably on the wrist, making the watch feel balanced and secure. There is even a dive extension, just in case you suddenly decide to strap it over a wetsuit. As unique features, this strap and the open case back are what give this piece real credibility at this price point.
Specification
Material: Vertical brushed 316L stainless steel with polished bevel
Diameter: 39mm
Thickness: 9.95mm
Lugs: 20mm
Glass: 2.00 mm double domed sapphire crystal
Movement: Micro-Rotor Caliber Manufacture Morteau 20 - Self winding with ball bearings rotor - 70h Power reserve
Water Resistance: 30 BAR / 990 feet / 300 m
Price: £2248.00
What makes the Superman Slim CMM.20 particularly appealing is its versatility. It looks perfectly at home with a t shirt and jeans, but it would not feel out of place peeking out from beneath a tailored jacket either. In other words, it is a diver that understands life rarely involves actual diving.
In a world full of oversized tool watches trying very hard to look serious, the Yema Superman Slim CMM.20 quietly proves that a dive watch can be capable, elegant, and just a little bit charming all at once. A superhero, perhaps, but one that prefers a well fitted suit to a bulky cape.
