Granvelle Renaissance CMM.29 Black

We all are familiar with countless exceptional watches made by the Swiss and Japanese that are dominating the market. Nonetheless, the French also displayed excellence in the fine art of watchmaking with the creation of many beautifully decorated haute horlogerie pieces and complex movements. While YEMA may not be a name that the masses are entirely familiar with, it is a brand synonymous with the production of fine French-made timepieces and an incredibly rich heritage.

Created by Henry Louis Belmont, a graduate from the National Watchmaking School of Besancon, YEMA was founded in 1948 and has been producing fine quality watches since. Along with some household names in the field of watchmaking, YEMA has concentrated on producing mostly emblematic and mechanical timepieces, including sports divers for pilots, racing drivers and underwater divers. Its repertoire includes reviving the YEMA Superman, commonly touted as France's legendary dive watch.

Yema Granvelle Renaissance CMM.29 Black

Following the successful 2025 release of the Granvelle equipped with the groundbreaking CMM.20 manufacture caliber, YEMA continues to elevate its dress watch legacy. This collection draws deep inspiration from the harmonious geometry of the Palace Granvelle in Besançon, the historic capital of French watchmaking where YEMA calls home. The Granvelle Renaissance masterfully translates this rich architectural heritage into contemporary horology, defining the timepiece through symmetry, visual depth, and stunning sculptural detail. While the inaugural series gave YEMA collectors an exquisite dress watch to celebrate, the story evolves even further today. YEMA is proudly introducing the next generation, the upgraded and highly refined Granvelle Renaissance CMM.29.

The Granvelle Renaissance beautifully revisits the elegance of classical proportions through a highly refined 37.5mm case diameter, a compact 46.3mm lug to lug distance, and a slender 8.50mm thickness achieved thanks to its ultra thin micro rotor movement. Featuring a cushion shaped case that draws direct inspiration from the arches of the Granvelle Palace, this edition introduces subtle yet substantial upgrades to the overall execution. 

A dial inspired by renaissance architecture

The bezel now features a nice brushed finish that expertly emphasizes the sculptural geometry of the watch, while the redesigned lugs incorporate a mix of polished and vertically brushed surfaces to visually elongate the silhouette and enhance the interplay of light and texture. Additionally, the signature lateral fluting extending across the entire case middle and between the lugs reinforces its architectural character. YEMA worked tirelessly to perfect these dimensions, placing the ultimate priority on daily wrist comfort while maintaining a deeply sophisticated and discreet presence.

Every detail of the Granvelle Renaissance has been carefully reworked to reinforce its refined architectural character. The unique push-pull crown is distinctively cushion shaped, perfectly echoing the case geometry with a matching fluted texture that departs from traditional round designs. On the reverse side, a beautiful exhibition caseback elegantly showcases the detailed craftsmanship of the CMM.29 manufacture caliber. This exceptional timepiece also offers a practical 50 meters of water resistance, providing absolute peace of mind while remaining perfectly suited for a sophisticated dress watch.

Slim design. Mechanical precision.

Protected by a flat sapphire crystal, the Granvelle Renaissance introduces a newly designed four level dial in a classic black tone that creates exceptional visual depth. At the center, an intricate motif draws direct inspiration from the geometric roof patterns of the Granvelle Palace, beautifully echoing Renaissance architecture. This central artwork is flanked by a sophisticated hour track with faceted markers, balanced by a running seconds subdial at 9 o'clock. A matching minute rehaut sits neatly within this framework, providing a matte yet reflective texture that complements the dial layout. Completing the look, the applied indexes and polished faceted hands are treated with SuperLumiNova BGW9 for optimal legibility, delivering a wonderfully vintage and sophisticated aesthetic.

Beating at the heart of this timepiece is the Manufacture Caliber CMM.29, an evolution of YEMA's in house micro rotor architecture tailored for a classic small seconds display. Operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour, this 33 jewel movement boasts an impressive 70 hour power reserve, combining mechanical reliability with everyday utility. Collectors can fully appreciate this artistry through the exhibition caseback, which highlights the compact micro rotor that keeps the watch beautifully thin. To elevate the presentation, the galvanized rhodium plated bridges feature a striking Côtes de Genève sunray motif, producing a dynamic play of light with every movement of the wrist.

Manufacture Caliber CMM.29

Completing the vintage aesthetic, the timepiece comes paired with a brand new leather strap in a clean black with immaculate stitch work. Featuring a dramatic taper from 18mm to 14mm, this strap is custom tailored to accentuate the watch's elegant proportions and sophisticated lines. Securing it to the wrist is a freshly designed stainless steel pin buckle built explicitly for the Granvelle Renaissance, sporting a sharply faceted, structural shape that beautifully mirrors the cushion case architecture.

In conclusion, the Granvelle Renaissance represents the perfect convergence of classical history and high end modern watchmaking. This release is a stunning tribute to the Palace Granvelle in Besançon, brilliantly translating the landmark's timeless symmetry and structural grandeur into a perfectly downsized, highly wearable silhouette. Every detail, from the intricate multi level dial pattern to the beautifully updated brushed and polished lug finishes, shows a tremendous leap forward in craftsmanship and execution. Combined with the absolute technical triumph of their proprietary micro rotor movement visible through the open caseback, YEMA has crafted more than just an elegant dress watch. They have built a wearable piece of French architectural art that honors its historic birthplace while setting an incredibly exciting new standard for the brand.

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