A two-layer paper machine fabric comprising a machine direction yarn system and two cross-machine direction yarn systems, the systems being interlaced in accordance with a 16-shaft weave repeat. To achieve a fabric having advantageous wear properties, the lower cross-machine direction yarn forms floats spanning 13 yarns on the underside of the fabric and is interwoven in the fabric by passing it during one weave repeat over two machine direction yarns positioned close to each other in such a way that at least one machine direction yarn remains between said two machine direction yarns, said at least one machine direction yarn passing over the lower cross-machine direction yarn. The upper cross-machine direction paper-contacting yarn forms floats of shorter span as compared with the lower cross-machine direction yarn on the upper side of the fabric and is interlaced with at least two machine direction yarns per weave repeat.