Yema Rallygraf Owner Review : Efficient, functional and enthralling

My wife owns an A112, so you can imagine that when I discovered that Yema was releasing an Autobianchi watch, I could already see myself showing off behind the wheel, watch on my wrist, and driving gloves. For the watch, it was easy, all I had to do was buy it. However, for my wife to lend me her little hot rod, that's another story! Knowing the French watch brand, I didn't think I would be disappointed. Moreover, given the photos available on the Internet, I really like the watch. I had the option of pre-ordering it on the official Yema website. However, I don't know about you, but personally, I like seeing the model, holding it in my hands, and feeling the materials. So I looked for retailers offering this model. However, I quickly realized that this model, being limited to 200 pieces, is almost impossible to find. I was lucky enough to come across it in a very large Parisian store and therefore to add it to my collection. The first thing you notice when you take the watch in your hand is its solidity due to the weight of the watch. You can feel that it is robust and of quality, without being too heavy on the wrist. The round case in brushed aluminum effect stainless steel, 42mm and 13mm thick, has a fixed bezel with a tachymeter scale. In a very pretty blue reminiscent of the colors of the famous Autobianchi rally, the bezel is very readable and graduated up to 400kmh (in Autobianchi?!). Added to the side is a silver crown featuring the Y of the French manufacturer, unlike other watches, you are not afraid that it will stay in your hand when setting the time and date. It is not like the buttons or controls of the A112 that you press gently to avoid drama. The silver steel push buttons are very handy and work perfectly. The stopwatch can be started and stopped with a firm gesture without having to press it again or force it. On the back of the case is the Yema coat of arms, which reflects the attention paid to the smallest detail. The watch is sufficiently water-resistant (100 meters). The watch appears quite busy visually. Indeed, the emblematic dial in this limited edition contains a lot of information: tricolor bands, logos, color schemes, etc. So let's take things one by one. The color of the bezel and dial remind us of the famous rally car: the famous "celestial blue" and "lipari blue" (called "blue of the cup" by A112 enthusiasts) and contrasts with the white of the indexes. On the left, we find two tricolor bands in the colors of the French and Italian flags, which represent both the collaboration between the French watchmaker and the Autobianchi Club de France, and the one between the Frenchman André Chardonnet (vehicle importer) and the Italian car brand. The latter's logo is located at 12 o'clock. Then you have the famous two dashboard-style counters, characteristic features of the Rallygraf, one for the chronograph minutes and the other for the hours in 24-hour mode. When I look at these counters, I feel like I'm driving the Italian. With their small silver needles, they take up the design of the car counters. It's really very successful. In addition to the Autobianchi logo, there are also those of Yema and the Rallygraf model (the two checkered flags) which mark the separation between the two counters. It couldn't be more complete! What may seem cluttered and illegible is actually quite clear. The hands, due to their size, make the information very readable. A small disappointment concerning the movement, we would have expected a French movement for a watch designed and assembled here but we find a Myota OS21. This Japanese movement remains reliable and robust. Let's now discuss my favorite: the bracelet. I am a real fan of Rally bracelets, that is to say the perforated leather bracelets, and this one is really superb. The perforated blue leather bracelet with blue stitching turns out to be very comfortable to wear and of very good quality. It certainly brings a touch that is both vintage and sporty which, it must be said, suits it perfectly. Usually, I change the bracelets on my watches very regularly but this is not the case. It is perfect. It is difficult to find better. The silver pin buckle and Yema stamped finishes the sporty style. In addition, the bracelet is also made in France in a Besançon factory.