Mario Andretti Talks with iW about his Yema Chronograph

May/June 2019 edition
Issue #5 AutoMobilia Resource Magazine
Collecting Automotive Timepieces - written by Charles Moyer - Writer iW Magazine

iW: Mario, you are a legendary race champion, named the greatest of the Twentieth Century by the Associated Press, but how did you develop your passion for fine watches?

Mario Andretti: Ever since I was a little boy I have always loved cars, and watches. Both cars and watches are incredibly fascinating machines. I find that almost all true car aficionados are also passionate about watches because they are also intricate mechanical devices on a much smaller scale. As my racing career developed, I began winning races. I bought some really nice timepieces, but also, I was awarded many beautiful watches because many races gave the winning driver an elegant dress watch or a sporty chronograph in addition to the first-place trophy. 

Some races awarded a watch to the driver who won the pole position, by having the fastest time in the qualifying laps prior to the race. So, my collection grew to over one hundred watches. I had to get several large safe deposit boxes at the bank to hold them all. So, I love all my watches, and I can tell you a story about each one.

iW: Tell us the story about your Yema watch.


Mario Andretti: In April 1969, I was walking down Fifth Avenue in New York City, and passed by a jewelry shop. I glanced in the window, and an interesting chronograph watch, this Yema, caught my eye. So, I went into the shop to look at it and try it on. I immediately loved it, bought it on the spot, and started wearing it. Back then, almost the entire month of May was taken up with the Indy 500 testing, practice and qualifying events, and I wore my new Yema chronograph every day in Indianapolis.

iW: Did you wear that Yema while you were racing in & winning the actual 1969 Indy 500 race?
Mario Andretti: Yes, I did. Many race drivers never wear a watch during a race but I always did. I have always been very much a detail-oriented person, and a very punctual person, so during the hours before a race, when I am already in my driver’s suit, a great many things must be done on a tight schedule, and I would constantly refer to my wrist watch to keep right on that schedule. I am also a perfectionist, and I always try to keep the watch I’m wearing within 1 or 2 seconds of Observatory time. So, I always kept my watch on my wrist during every race. Although, obviously, you would never look at your watch while you’re driving a race car more than 200 miles per hour!

iW: How did this new Yema Mario Andretti Indy 500 commemorative watch come about? 
Mario Andretti: A few years ago, the officers and managers of Yema in France saw a photograph of me from 1969, where I am talking with Colin Chapman at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and they recognized that I was wearing their Yema chronograph. They realized that the 50th anniversary of my Indy 500 win was approaching. So, they contacted me and proposed making a limited-edition Mario Andretti 50th anniversary chronograph to commemorate my 1969 Indy 500 win. I agreed and gave my permission and I was closely involved with every detail of the new watch. The Yema team has created an extremely faithful commemorative reproduction of my original 1969 watch that I wore while winning the Indy 500, and I think watch collectors will like it, and will enjoy owning and wearing it. I couldn’t be more pleased with the way it turned out.
CM

Editor’s note:  The edition of this new reissue watch is due to be available June 1, 2019. Edition of 1,969 time pieces, priced at $2,699

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