Ref. 94.127G | Calibre Valjoux 7734 hand winding | Diameter 39mm

A super rare version of the Yema Rallygraf Formica. We all know that Yema watches can be found under different brand names such as Le Jour, Eisenhardt, Cardinal etc. but this is the first one I have came across branded UNION ancre.

Yet it is unmistakenly the Yema Rallygraf Formica which was introduced to the public in 1973. Same movement, same case including the Yema caseback engravings and off course same dial configuration, hands and bakelite bezel. 

Formica dashboards were a characteristic element in cars back in the sixties as this photo of the dashboard of the Renault Alpine shows.

Yema and UNION Ancre: Mystery solved!

According to Mikrolisk, the watch name and logo database, the brand UNION Ancre belonged to a Dutch Amsterdam based tradehouse named Henri Julien NV. As the catalog you see on the right shows they offered stopwatches and chronographs. They bought complete watches in France and Germany and put their brand name on it. 

Another example of UNION Ancre Yema.

UNION Ancre shockproof Jump Hour

My second UNION Ancre watch in my collection and my first jump hour watch. Powered bij the French Ebauche Cupillard 233-69A movement. I especially like the blue and red accents of the hours and minutes section. 

Knowing that UNION Ancre imported their watches from other manufacturers, I am dying to know what the original brand of this watch is. So far I only came across a similar watch branded Ancre Incabloc, so I guess this time it is not a Yema watch.

Edit: officially the Union Ancre above seems to be a roulation watch and not a jump hour, because the hour markers change gradually through the rotating hour disc.

UNION Ancre Parking Meter 60M (1968)