Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms is generally acknowledged as the first proper dive watch, developed in 1953 for France’s equivalent of the Navy SEALs.
The French Navy continues to influence diver design to this day, recently working with the domestic brand Yema to develop a watch for the crews of its Barracuda-class nuclear-powered attack submarines. A civilian version is hitting the market, and it features a specialized tool not often seen on dive watches.
Yema has been providing watches for the French Navy for years, including its current official watch, the Navygraf Marine Nationale. Based on a 1970s design, it is straightforward, with an automatic movement and 300m water resistance.
To outfit its submariners, the Marine Nationale, as the French Navy is officially known, requires a more specialized design. It worked closely with Yema to optimize the Navygraf Barracuda for use in dark, cramped quarters.
The 39mm stainless steel case features the standard Navygraf shape with polished, chamfered edges that twist along the gently sloped crown guard. Its crown is equipped with a fluted grip and is signed with the same anchor logo as the Navygraf Marine Nationale.
The standout feature sits atop the case, where a fluted steel bezel holds a black forged carbon insert with a fully graduated 60-minute track. However, where a typical dive bezel counts up, this one counts down, with a special 20-minute segment in red to assist sailors with tracking dive preparations.
