There are watches that tell far more than a simple horological story. Timepieces that draw their inspiration from heritage, architecture and culture to give rise to a creation rich with meaning. With the new Granvelle Renaissance CMM.29, Yema crafts a piece that celebrates both the excellence of French watchmaking and the architectural legacy of Besançon, the historic cradle of timekeeping in France.
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A watch inspired by an emblematic monument
The Granvelle Renaissance takes its name and its inspiration from the Palais Granvelle, a sixteenth-century architectural jewel set in the heart of Besançon. Now home to the Musée du Temps, this monument embodies the region’s watchmaking history and the profound bond that ties the capital of the Franche-Comté to the art of measuring time.
Yema here transposes the harmony of Renaissance proportions into a contemporary watch in which every detail seems to have been conceived as an architectural element. Symmetry, depth, relief and visual balance compose a strong identity that immediately sets this new reference apart within the Manufacture collection.
Ideal proportions for timeless elegance
One of the major developments of this Granvelle Renaissance lies in its new 37.5 mm format. A dimension that may seem classic on paper, yet proves particularly well balanced on the wrist thanks to a generous dial opening and a lug-to-lug length of 46.3 mm.
The cushion case, a signature of the collection, has been subtly redrawn. The slimmed-down lugs, the new finishes and the interplay of polished and brushed surfaces further reinforce the sculptural character of the whole. The watch thus retains an assertive presence while gaining in refinement and comfort.
At just 8.5 mm thick, the Granvelle Renaissance displays a remarkable slimness that enhances its natural elegance and its everyday versatility.
A dial that echoes Renaissance architecture
The eye is immediately drawn to a completely reimagined dial. Its four-level construction creates a fascinating visual depth, while the central guilloché pattern directly takes up the geometric shapes observed on the rooftops of the Palais Granvelle.
The various finishes applied to the different elements of the dial create a subtle play of light that shifts with every movement of the wrist. The small-seconds counter, positioned asymmetrically, adds a further touch of sophistication while reinforcing the overall balance of the composition.
The applied faceted indices and the polished hands, coated with Super-LumiNova BGW9 Grade A, ensure excellent legibility by day as by night.
The CMM.29 caliber: the French mastery of the micro-rotor
Beneath this elegant silhouette beats the in-house CMM.29 caliber, an evolution of the micro-rotor movement developed by Yema in its workshops in Morteau. Visible through the sapphire caseback, this movement stands out as much for its performance as for its aesthetics.
The rhodium-plated bridges adorned with sunburst Côtes de Genève offer a particularly captivating spectacle, while the rotation of the micro-rotor generates shifting reflections that bring the movement to life.
Technically, the CMM.29 delivers high-level performance with a stated accuracy of -3/+7 seconds per day and a comfortable 70-hour power reserve, achieved thanks to a high-density tungsten micro-rotor.
Manufactured, assembled and regulated in France by the brand’s watchmakers, this movement bears witness to Yema’s growing ambition in the field of in-house calibers.
Attention to detail down to the finishing
The pursuit of harmony continues in every component of the watch. The cushion crown, specially developed for the collection, extends the architectural lines of the case while offering exemplary ergonomics. Its finishes, alternating polished and bead-blasted surfaces, further reinforce the sense of perceived quality.
The new textured leather strap, tapering from 18 to 14 mm, perfectly complements the watch’s proportions. It is paired with an exclusive pin buckle whose geometry echoes that of the case and the crown, bringing an aesthetic coherence rarely seen in this price range.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Movement | CMM.29 (in-house, micro-rotor) |
| Case diameter | 37.5 mm |
| Thickness | 8.5 mm |
| Power reserve | 70 h |
| Accuracy | −3 / +7 s/day |
| Price | 2 100 € |
The Passion Horlogère verdict
With the Granvelle Renaissance CMM.29, Yema pursues its rise into the world of accessible high-end mechanical watchmaking with real conviction. Inspired by one of the finest symbols of Besançon’s heritage, this new model meets the challenge of combining French identity, contemporary elegance and first-rate horological substance.
Its perfectly proportioned case, its remarkably crafted dial and, above all, its in-house micro-rotor caliber make it a particularly appealing proposition for enthusiasts seeking a watch with character, set apart from standardized production.
At €2,100, the Granvelle Renaissance CMM.29 stands out as one of the most coherent and compelling offerings on the current French watchmaking scene, proving once again that the renaissance of French watchmaking is well and truly under way.
Frequently asked questions
It is a French watch inspired by the Renaissance architecture of the Palais Granvelle in Besançon, the historic cradle of French watchmaking. It is powered by Yema’s in-house CMM.29 micro-rotor movement and housed in a refined 37.5 mm case.
The in-house CMM.29 automatic caliber, built around a high-density tungsten micro-rotor. It offers a stated accuracy of −3/+7 seconds per day and a 70-hour power reserve.
The case measures 37.5 mm in diameter and just 8.5 mm thick, with a 46.3 mm lug-to-lug, giving a slim, well-balanced and versatile profile.
It is priced at €2,100.
It is designed and produced by Yema in its own workshops in Morteau, France.
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