YEMA Navygraf Marine Nationale 400th Dive Watch: 400 Years of Maritime History
Starting from 499 €The YEMA Navygraf Marine Nationale 400th Anniversary Edition is a commemorative dive watch created to mark the 400th anniversary of the French Navy in 2026. This edition combines the Navygraf's historical identity with a distinctive design dominated by a navy blue dial and a steel case with a bronze IP finish. Its compact 39mm diameter, 200-meter water resistance, and unidirectional bezel make it a versatile diver's watch, suitable for both nautical activities and everyday wear. Powered by the Seiko VH31 quartz caliber with a smooth sweep second hand, it also features a parachute strap inspired by those once crafted by French combat divers.
YEMA Navygraf Marine Nationale 400th Anniversary Edition Military Dive Watch
Founded in 1948 in Besançon, France, YEMA has gradually built its identity around watches designed to accompany professionals, athletes, explorers, and French institutions. The brand has distinguished itself in the fields of diving, aviation, motor racing, and space exploration. Launched in the early 1970s, the Navygraf collection holds a special place in this heritage. It embodies the fundamental principles of the dive watch: immediate legibility, a rotating bezel, robust construction, and water resistance.
The Navygraf Marine Nationale 400th Anniversary Edition extends this history as part of the official partnership between YEMA and the French Navy. It commemorates the institution's four centuries of existence, whose origins date back to 1626. However, the watch does not attempt to replicate an antique military piece. It offers a contemporary interpretation of the French diver's watch, with a 39mm 316L stainless steel case coated with a bronze IP treatment and a blue dial with a radial gradient.
This aesthetic choice creates a contrast between the warm hues of the case and the depth of the dial, while also evoking the maritime environment. The inscription "Marine Nationale depuis 1626" (French Navy since 1626) clearly affirms the commemorative dimension of the model. The watch also retains the expected functional elements of a diver's watch: water resistance to 200 meters, screw-down crown, unidirectional bezel with 120 clicks, and luminescent display.
Finally, its navy blue parachute strap reinforces its military identity. It references the elastic straps salvaged from parachuting equipment and converted into bracelets by French combat divers in the 1970s.
Technical Specifications YEMA Navygraf Marine Nationale 400th Anniversary Edition
- Brand: YEMA
- Model: Navygraf Marine Nationale 400th Anniversary Edition
- Reference: YMHF1591MN-GG
- Suggested Retail Price: €590
- Movement: Hybrid mechanical-quartz
- Caliber: Seiko VH31 with sweeping seconds hand
- Diameter: 39 mm
- Thickness: 9.85 mm
- Water Resistance: 200 m / 20 bar
- Materials: Vertically brushed 316L stainless steel with bronze IP coating
- Crystal: 2 mm thick K1 mineral crystal
- Dial: Radial gradient navy blue, bronze IP-rimmed hour markers, and Super-LumiNova BGW9
- Strap: 19 mm navy blue Marine Nationale parachute strap with bronze IP buckle
- Warranty: 2-year international warranty
- Package Contents: Watch, French Navy travel case, 400th anniversary collector's patch and international warranty card
The YEMA Navygraf Marine Nationale 400th Anniversary Edition Military Watch
The YEMA Navygraf Marine Nationale 400th Anniversary Edition stands out first and foremost for its unusual aesthetic treatment within the collection. Its case is not made of solid bronze: it uses a 316L stainless steel base coated with a bronze IP finish. This solution achieves the warm tone characteristic of bronze while preserving the structural properties of steel. The sides feature a vertical brushing, while the polished chamfers of the lugs provide a brighter contrast. The dial features a radial gradient that transitions from a light blue in the center to a very deep navy blue at the periphery. The applied hour markers are framed with a bronze IP finish and filled with white Super-LumiNova BGW9.
The hands share the same metallic hue, with luminescent treatment on the hour and minute hands. This construction ensures visual continuity between the case, the hour markers, and the dial. Beneath the YEMA Navygraf signature appears the inscription "Marine Nationale depuis 1626" (French Navy since 1626). The screw-down case back, crafted from 316L stainless steel, features the official 400th anniversary insignia, embossed using a hydraulic press. This element transforms the back of the watch into a true commemorative display. At just 9.85 mm thick, the model maintains a slim profile for a 200-meter water-resistant dive watch. Its 39 mm diameter and 19 mm lug width ensure a balanced fit, even on smaller wrists.
A French diver's watch with a military parachute strap
The strap is one of the key identifying features of this edition. YEMA has chosen a 19mm navy blue parachute strap, inspired by the models handcrafted by French Navy combat divers in the 1970s. At the time, some combat divers would salvage the elastic straps from parachutes and adapt them to their dive watches. This construction resulted in a flexible, durable, and adjustable strap. The modern version retains this spirit while adopting a construction adapted to contemporary use. Its elasticity allows the strap to move with the wrist and hold the watch securely without excessive rigidity. The bronze IP buckle is engraved with the French Navy anchor, while the YEMA signature appears on its opposite side. Therefore, this is not a steel bracelet with a dive extension, but rather an elastic textile strap with a military character.
The unidirectional rotating bezel operates with 120 clicks. Its blue K1 mineral glass insert features a 0-60 minute scale and a luminescent triangle at 12 o'clock. Combined with the screw-down crown and a water resistance rating of 200 meters, this makes the watch suitable for swimming, water sports, and recreational diving. The Seiko VH31 caliber, on the other hand, prioritizes precision and simplicity. This quartz movement powers a sweeping seconds hand that sweeps several times per second, creating a visually smoother sweep than that of a traditional quartz movement. It thus offers an appearance similar to a mechanical movement, without the need for daily winding.
YEMA Navygraf Marine Nationale 400th dive watch: 400 years of maritime history
The YEMA Navygraf Marine Nationale 400th Anniversary Edition is a commemorative dive watch created to mark the 400th anniversary of the French Navy in 2026. This edition combines the Navygraf's historical identity with a distinctive design dominated by a navy blue dial and a steel case with a bronze IP finish. Its compact 39mm diameter, 200-meter water resistance, and unidirectional bezel make it a versatile diver's watch, suitable for both nautical activities and everyday wear. Powered by the Seiko VH31 quartz caliber with a smooth sweep second hand, it also features a parachute strap inspired by those once crafted by French combat divers.
Movement
The watch uses the Seiko VH31 caliber, a three-hand quartz movement renowned for its simplicity and reliability. Its seconds hand moves several times per second and produces a more continuous sweep than that of a conventional quartz movement. The Navygraf thus combines the practical precision of quartz with a visual animation inspired by mechanical movements.
Diameter and materials
The case measures 39 mm in diameter and 9.85 mm in thickness, with a lug width of 19 mm. It is crafted from vertically brushed 316L stainless steel, then coated with a bronze IP finish. The polished chamfers of the lugs accentuate its lines, while the domed K1 mineral crystal protects the dial.
Waterproofing
The Navygraf Marine Nationale 400th Anniversary Edition is water-resistant to 200 meters (20 bar). It features a screw-down crown and a unidirectional 120-click diving bezel. Its K1 mineral crystal insert, graduated to 60 minutes, includes a luminescent marker at 12 o'clock for easy time tracking.
Accessories
The watch comes in a French Navy travel case with its documentation and warranty card. A collector's patch commemorating the institution's 400th anniversary is also included, while supplies last. This accessory features the official colors and emblems associated with the commemoration planned for 2026.
Guarantee
YEMA backs this edition with a two-year international warranty from the date of shipment. This covers possible manufacturing defects according to the conditions provided by the brand. The Navygraf is assembled in YEMA's French workshops and delivered with a card identifying its international coverage.
YEMA Navygraf Marine Nationale 400th Dive Watch The pros
and cons
- Compact 39mm case
- Distinctive bronze IP coating
- French Navy parachute strap
- Water resistant to 200 meters
- Special commemorative case back
- Case not made of solid bronze
- K1 mineral crystal instead of sapphire
- Quartz movement (not mechanical)
- Unusual 19mm lug width
- Patch included while supplies last
Prices and technical specifications are subject to change. Content and photos are not contractual.
