Yema to Cease Swiss Production and recenter on French Manufacturing

For more than 75 years, Yema has been one of the most recognizable names in French watchmaking. Founded in Besançon in 1948 by Henry-Louis Belmont, the brand has long carried a distinctly French identity, balancing technical precision with accessibility.

Earlier this year, Yema introduced a collection of Swiss Made models assembled in Biel/Bienne, positioned as a competitive alternative to the brand’s French Manufacture offering.

But the global trade landscape has shifted. With uncertainty around U.S. import tariffs—Yema’s second-largest market—the brand has decided to halt Swiss production and double down on France.

Back to the Roots

Beginning in mid-September, Yema will unveil a new line of French-assembled models equipped with Sellita calibers. The move is more than a tactical response; it’s a reaffirmation of Belmont’s founding vision.

• Reinforcing French Identity: By committing to assembly in France, Yema underlines its Manufacture Françaisecredentials and positions itself as a flagbearer of French watchmaking on the global stage.

• Protecting Value: Centralizing production helps control costs and reduce vulnerability to external pressures like fluctuating tariffs, ensuring accessible pricing aligned with Belmont’s belief that technical excellence should remain within reach.

• Greater Oversight & Quality Control: With assembly fully under its own roof, Yema can apply rigorous quality control to every timepiece, ensuring consistent craftsmanship.

Looking Ahead

While the decision may seem like a retreat from Switzerland, Yema frames it as an enabling step for more ambitiousprojects. With resources consolidated in Besançon, the brand is laying the groundwork for a high-end in-house timepiece, alongside a French-assembled Sellita range that will succeed the short-lived Swiss Made collection.

In a watch industry where heritage and authenticity carry as much weight as innovation, Yema’s pivot is both pragmatic and symbolic—a response to global economics and a recommitment to its own DNA.