In the landscape of modern horology, few designers command the same whimsical, deeply independent reverence as Alain Silberstein. For decades, his playful mastery of primary colors and geometric shapes has transformed traditional timepieces into works of kinetic art.
When that singular vision is paired with the technical manufacturing renaissance currently underway at French brand Yema, the result is bound to be something special.
Enter the Yema x Silberstein Marine 2 CMM.20 Limited Edition Watch—a strictly limited 150-piece collector’s edition that marries high-concept graphic design with serious in-house French watchmaking. Retailing for £3,610, this collaboration treats the traditional marine watch archetype not merely as a utilitarian tool, but as a vibrant canvas for emotional and artistic expression.
When Bauhaus Meets Marine Symbolism
At first glance, the Marine 2 catches the eye with its deep blue grained dial, a highly tactile textural choice meant to evoke the shifting, sandy surface of the ocean floor. Against this rich backdrop, Silberstein deploys his signature toolkit of primary shapes to completely reinterpret classical naval cues.
Time is indicated via a bold red hour hand shaped like a nautical buoy, paired with a slender, light blue minute hand and a vibrant yellow anchor-shaped seconds hand.
Rather than standard geometric indices at the cardinal positions, the dial features international maritime signal flags at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock that cleverly spell out “YEMA.” This naval code injects a sense of mystery while maintaining a strict functional layout.
Furthermore, the dial architecture exhibits a fascinating three-dimensional depth. The 3D billight blocks and the lacquered flag appliques stand exactly 0.8 mm tall, appearing to float effortlessly above the dial surface.
At night, a heavy application of Super-LumiNova transforms the face into a sculptural nocturnal landscape, ensuring that graphic form and low-light legibility remain entirely uncompromised.
Architectural Discipline in Grade 5 Titanium
Framing this lively dial is a highly disciplined, 40mm Grade 5 titanium case. To ground Silberstein’s whimsical color palette, the case is treated with a stealthy, black DLC coating and a microblasted finish, giving the metal a beautifully matte, architectural presence.
The watch boasts incredibly tightly controlled proportions: it measures just 11mm thick including the sapphire crystal, while a compact 44.5mm lug-to-lug profile ensures it sits perfectly balanced on a wide array of wrist sizes.
The case geometry is highly considered, featuring integrated lugs that flow smoothly into the strap, creating a fluid, unbroken silhouette. Adding to this harmony is a symmetrical dual-crown layout:
- The Upper Crown: Highlighted with a splash of blue, it smoothly operates the internal rotating bezel for tracking elapsed time.
- The Lower Crown: Handles standard time-setting and manual winding duties.
It is a graphic yet deeply functional layout that feels entirely cohesive on the wrist.
A French Manufacture Engine
Flipping the timepiece over reveals that the artistic narrative doesn’t stop at the dial. Through the sapphire exhibition caseback, wearers are treated to a view of YEMA’s in-house CMM.20 micro-rotor Manufacture calibre.
Designed, manufactured, and calibrated in Yema’s historic Morteau workshops in France, this ultra-thin mechanical engine boasts a robust 70-hour power reserve, sustained by an innovative, high-density tungsten micro-rotor and an enlarged mainspring barrel.
“Watchmaking is art, an object of emotion.”
True to form, Silberstein has left his mark on the movement architecture itself. The reverse side features a bright red oscillating weight and a magnificent yellow gold anchor applied directly to the crystal via a glass metallization process, all framed by a black DLC circular-brushed caseback.
For collectors hunting for a piece that successfully bridges the gap between elite independent design and serious, in-house French mechanics, this limited-edition release is a profoundly emotional catch.
