Yema Yachtingraf "patent Pending"

Yema Yachtingraf «Patent Pending»
Circa 1969
Ref 93.016 B
Valjoux 7733 mechanical caliber
Manual winding - Steel

Mythical chronograph in its first commercialized version.

Black dial (genuine, signed - white ship)
Backward totalizer 5 minutes  counter 5 minutes at 03:00*
Counter 5 minutes at 03:00
Permanent second hand counter at 09:00
Luminescent applied indexes and hands

* 5' is the warning time given to the competitors of a regatta before crossing the starting line

Diameter: 39 mm. (42 mm. with crown)
Thickness: 15 mm.

Black rotating bezel (steel)
Tachymeter scale

Stainless steel back signed with the Yema logo
and numbered (93.016 B)

Valjoux 7733 caliber
17 jewels - 18000 A/h - Power reserve: 45 Hours

Black leather strap (vintage & sport look) - Steel buckle
(+/- 23 cm. watch incl.)

The watch is in very good condition (9/10)
It is fully genuine (not polished nor any change)…
And it is of course in perfect working order

Rare model (see History below)

This Yachtingraf is the very first regatta watch.
Created for sailing race departures, this first version was created in 1967
It is recognizable by its mention «Patent Pending» on the dial.
Indeed, the patent applications had been filed but will not be obtained until October 1967 (FR), February 1969 (USA) and January 1970 (CH)
It was then redesigned and there are many variations (but never more with the mention "Patent Pending »).
Yema had also signed partnerships with the last two French skippers who participated in the America's Cup challenges (Yves Pajot 1987 - Marc Pajot 1990)
The Yachtingraf remains one of the brand's emblematic models! The original version (this one) had not been produced in very large quantities (pending patents) and is obviously the rarest and the most sought after by collectors (!)