The great thing about Yema is that when they create a wild-looking design, you can probably find a vintage example that backs it up. Not ones for boring watches or copying others, Yema has always strived to use interesting shapes, patterns, and colors, sometimes even leading them to patented-designs, such as with their iconic Yachtingraf. The result is a DNA that is truly their own, separating their watches out from the pack over the years.

Now, Yema has hit a stride bringing their unique designs into the 21st century through a mix of recreating pieces from their archives and creating new concepts based on the language they’ve developed over the years. Today, we’re excited to add one from the latter group, the Yema Rallygraf Meca-Quartz Chronograph to the Windup Watch Shop.

What’s even better than a vintage-style chronograph? An affordable one. The Rallygraf Meca-Quartz Chronographs have all the style of 60s Yemas, in a new modern package, and featuring the excellent, cost-reducing, Seiko VK64 movement. This great movement gives you quartz accuracy with the feel of a mechanical chronograph, meaning crisp pushers and instant-reset on chrono-functions. Rendered in all polished steel, the 39 x 48 x 13mm case is a healthy medium-size with vintage flair that is bolstered by bold lugs, a massive domed mineral crystal, and an external tachymeter. The dial, however, is what really takes the design home.

Featuring oversized sub-dials with a unique keystone shape that speaks straight to Yema’s chronos from the 60’s, the new Rallygraf has a bold, aggressive look. Each color has a main dial surface, with punched out contrast sub-dials and a contrast chapter ring. Applied markers stud the edge per hour, only missing at six where there is a relatively discreet date window. It’s all quite compact, with the oddly shaped sub-dials taking center stage.

On the wrist, the Rallygraf is all attitude. It wears exceptionally well, thanks to the tempered case size and strong lug shape. The dials then just ooze personality in a way few watches do. If you’ve wanted to get that vintage-chrono feel without dropping too much cash, this is the way to do it. Oh, and as for the cost, the Rallygraf Meca-Quartz Chronographs come in at just $329, and are available and ready to ship.

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Let’s take a closer look at the four versions that are currently available:

Panda Dial

Let’s start with an obvious winner, the Panda dial. Featuring a crisp matte white main dial with matte black sub-dials and chapter ring, the classic panda is an iconic look that you just can’t go wrong with. The date at six is also in black, which gives the panda face its nose. Grab it here

Reverse Panda Dial

You can’t have one without the other. The inverse of the above, clearly, the Reverse Panda has a matte black main dial with matte white sub-dials. Perhaps a touch more aggressive, it’s equally as stylish and another must-have. Available here

Brown Panda

Now, for a bit of a departure, Yema took the idea of the panda dial, but went with a medium chocolate brown, instead of black, for the sub-dials and chapter ring. Additionally, the sub-dials now have a texture of vertical lines, giving them a slightly wooden look. The result is that the Brown Panda has a lighter, more “tropical” or aged feel. Pick up this very unique timepiece here

Gray Tarmac

This last one took us by a bit of a surprise. Featuring a sunray black dial with matte concrete gray sub-dials and chapter ring, it’s a totally different take on this style of chronograph. Dark, subtle, a touch more modern, and stylish without trying, it’s also another winner. If you’re looking for something a bit more different, this is the one for you. Click here to purchase