By Brent Robillard
Who doesn’t love Superman?
YEMA is one of my earliest watch crushes. Specifically, the Superman.
I have always been a fan of the classic skin diver aesthetic—compact proportions, strong legibility, purposeful simplicity—but the Superman always felt like something a little more technical. The bezel lock, those elongated lugs, the crisp angularity of the case… it all fired that limbic part of my brain that simply says, me likey.
So when YEMA announced that the Superman would finally be getting the titanium treatment in a limited release production model, my curiosity was immediately piqued.
Ti
The brand is no stranger to the material. YEMA has experimented with titanium since the early 1980s, using it in watches like the Adventurer and Bipole Duopoly, and later in models such as the Flygraf and Navygraf. More recently, titanium appeared in the Urban Traveler. Yet despite this long relationship with the lightweight metal, it had never made its way into the core Superman collection—until last year’s limited Superman Tourbillon CMM.31 cracked the door open.
Now the material arrives in a far more approachable form with the Superman Titanium Moontide CMM.11, a numbered edition of 400 pieces that extends titanium not only to the case, but also the bracelet and even the dial itself.
And the result is a Superman that feels both familiar and surprisingly modern.
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Key Features of the YEMA Superman Titanium L.E CMM.11
A titanium Superman in a familiar size
The case measures 38.5 mm in diameter and 11.3 mm thick, dimensions that sit comfortably in the traditional skin diver sweet spot. Lug width is 19 mm, and the watch wears balanced on the wrist–not unlike other Supermen in the collection. Though, as is often the case, the bracelet can artificially extend the lug to lug. Something to consider if you have smaller wrists.
The case itself is crafted from Grade 2 titanium, finished primarily with a vertical brushing that gives the watch a soft, utilitarian sheen. Polished bevels run along the case edges, catching the light just enough to keep things visually interesting without undermining the tool watch vibe.
Dive watch specs
Up front, a 2.20 mm double-domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment protects the dial. It’s thick, clear, and gives the watch a subtle vintage profile when viewed from the side.
Naturally, the Superman retains its signature diving credentials. A unidirectional rotating bezel with a polished ceramic insert features a fully graduated 0–60 minute scale, anchored by a luminous triangle at 12 o’clock. Both the bezel marker and the dial lume use Super-LumiNova BGW9 Grade A, which glows a crisp icy blue in low light.
Water resistance is rated to 300 metres (30 BAR / 990 feet), making this a fully capable modern dive watch rather than simply a nostalgic throwback.
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Titanium dial
The dial is where things get interesting.
Rather than simply colouring the dial to match the case, YEMA has created a titanium dial with an organic surface pattern that looks almost geological—like the contours of the ocean floor seen on a bathymetric map.
In certain light it appears fluid, almost molten, as if the metal had been poured into place and allowed to cool into peaks and valleys. It helps establish a sense of depth, and more than a little visual interest. In reality, the dial is formed using an oil press technique over a sandblasted base.
Applied hour markers and hands are executed in stainless steel with a matte black IP finish, providing excellent contrast against the metallic surface. Everything—from the indices to the handset—is lumed and offers strong legibility day or night.
Manufacture calibre
Inside beats YEMA’s CMM.11 manufacture calibre, an automatic movement operating at 28,800 vph with a very healthy 70-hour power reserve.
Functionally it keeps things straightforward: hours, minutes, central seconds, and a new date window at six o’clock. The date placement is nicely balanced and avoids disrupting the symmetry of the dial.
The movement itself is built with durability in mind. A transversal bridge stabilizes the balance wheel, while a circular aperture in the mainplate frames the regulating organ. Through the display caseback you get a controlled glimpse of the movement’s heartbeat—an architectural detail that looks good under the sapphire glass
In short, it’s a robust modern engine that suits the Superman’s tool watch ethos.
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Bracelet and wearability
The watch is paired with a Grade 2 titanium “scales” bracelet, vertically brushed to match the case. It’s light, comfortable, and visually integrated with the overall design. The screw-down titanium crown, embossed with the YEMA logo, completes the package.
On the wrist, the titanium construction makes the watch noticeably lighter than its steel counterparts—something you appreciate immediately.
There is one small detail I would personally love to see improved in the future, however.
The clasp includes a diver’s extension, which is useful, but it does not feature on-the-fly micro-adjustment or a push-button release. These systems have appeared on some recent YEMA releases, and while they aren’t strictly necessary, they do add an extra layer of comfort and convenience—particularly on a watch meant to be worn actively.
It’s a small criticism, but one worth noting.
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Specs
| Case | Grade 2 Titanium 38.5mm Diameter 48mm Lug to Lug 11.3mm Thickness 19mm Lug Width Screw Down Crown & Caseback 300m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Box Sapphire Crystal Titanium Dial Applied Markers Arrow Handset Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | CMM.11 /w Date -3/+5 seconds per day 27 Jewels 28 800bph 70-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Titanium Scales Bracelet /w Diver’s Extension |
YEMA Superman Titanium Moontide CMM.11
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Final Thoughts & Pricing
The Superman has always been one of YEMA’s most distinctive designs. The bezel lock alone gives it a technical personality that separates it from the sea of vintage-inspired dive watches no matter how you feel about its functionality.
Bringing titanium into the equation feels like a natural evolution.
The material makes the watch lighter, more modern, and arguably even more tool-oriented—while the “titanium” dial adds a subtle visual flourish that keeps the design from feeling purely utilitarian.
For longtime fans of the Superman (myself included), this edition feels like a interesting evolution.
The watch is available today from the brand website.
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About the Author
Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.
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