Blacked-out dive watches often walk a remarkably fine line between rugged, tactical equipment and illegible fashion accessories. Striking the perfect balance requires serious design restraint, a deep understanding of functional contrast, and a refusal to compromise on raw performance.
French watchmaker Yema has managed to navigate this exact challenge masterfully with its latest shadowy release. The newly unveiled Yema Navygraf Phantom CMM.10 Limited Edition Watch takes a legendary late-1970s silhouette and completely reimagines it in a stealthy, monochromatic package. Priced at £1710, this moody, highly capable diver proves that you can plunge into the darkness without ever losing sight of the time.
A Study in Tactical Textures
At the core of this release is a beautifully proportioned 316L stainless steel case measuring a vintage-accurate 38.5mm in diameter. Thanks to a highly wearable 46mm lug-to-lug length, it delivers a commanding wrist presence while remaining incredibly comfortable on a wide variety of wrist sizes. The entire case and matching steel bracelet are treated to a matte IP black finish.
To ensure the blacked-out aesthetic doesn’t read as flat or uninspired, Yema deliberately utilized vertically brushed surfaces. This offers an ultra-low reflectivity for a true tactical feel, perfectly contrasted by subtle, polished chamfers along the profile that add a necessary edge of sophistication.
Protecting the display is a thick, 2.50mm double-domed sapphire crystal that injects a brilliant, warm vintage distortion at the edges of the dial.
High-Contrast Horology
A stealth watch is ultimately useless if you cannot actually read it under pressure. To combat this, the dial of the Phantom utilizes a vertically brushed matte black base, serving as the absolute perfect backdrop for the brand’s legendary handset.
The signature matte yellow hands—a beloved Navygraf hallmark since 1970—violently cut through the dark, monochrome palette to provide functional, immediate contrast.
These striking hands are framed by Yema’s iconic “exclamation point” hour markers, printed in a warm, vintage-leaning beige. When the ambient light fades away completely, these markers, along with the hands and the bezel’s 12 o’clock triangular pip, glow fiercely thanks to a generous application of Grade A Super-LumiNova.
In-House Mechanical Muscle
Look closely at the 6 o’clock position on the dial, and you will spot the proud “Manufacture Française” signature. This detail is a direct nod to the proprietary CMM.10 caliber beating securely inside.
In a rarity for hardcore, professional-grade dive watches, Yema has equipped the Phantom with an optimized sapphire exhibition case back, granting owners a clear view of the intricate in-house mechanics.
Impressively, integrating this crystal display does not compromise the watch’s serious professional credentials. The Navygraf maintains a rock-solid 30 BAR (300 meters) depth rating, bolstered by a robust, solid IP black screw-down crown that features the brand’s embossed logo.
Ready for the Abyss
Topping off the tactical construction is a unidirectional bezel fitted with a sandblasted black ceramic insert. The matte finish of the ceramic seamlessly matches the stealthy case while providing the extreme scratch resistance required to brush off impacts against harsh coral, jagged rocks, or everyday doorframes. The 0 to 60 scale features precisely engraved numerals, keeping the bezel entirely functional for tracking elapsed dive times.
Strictly limited to just 200 pieces globally—each featuring a unique serial and edition number (000/200) engraved on the case back and backed by a comprehensive 5-year warranty—this release is an exclusive piece of French horological history.
For £1710, the Yema Navygraf Phantom CMM.10 Limited Edition Watch offers a masterclass in covert styling, flawlessly blending robust in-house watchmaking with an aggressive, go-anywhere aesthetic.
