Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The New, Architectural Yema Granvelle CMM.20 Collection
It’s not a reissue or homage but rather a clean-sheet design rooted in geographic and horological context.
Unlike the tool-focused Superman line, the latest release of French brand Yema, the Granvelle, takes visual and mechanical cues from France’s long-standing horological tradition and is named after the Granvelle Palace in Besançon, the 16th-century Renaissance building that houses the Museum of Time. But while its inspiration is historic, the execution is modern and precise: it´s like a vintage dress watch with a modern structural reinterpretation. Let’s take a closer look at this new Yema Granvelle CMM.20 Collection.
The new Yema Granvelle is distinguished by a rather compact, cushion-shaped case measuring 39mm with an 8.60mm thickness. Its proportions are clean and balanced, with a wrist presence that avoids bulk. Polished bevels and a polished coin-edge mid-case offset the vertical brushing on the 316L stainless steel case. The push-pull crown, also cushion-shaped and signed with Yema’s vintage logo, integrates well into the overall silhouette. A flat sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating tops the case. The watch offers 50m of water resistance, adequate for daily wear and in line with its purposeful design.
The Granvelle dial features a stamped guilloche-like pattern with concentric lines that create depth and motion under changing light conditions. This texture is finished with a subtle sunray sheen that adds dimensionality without becoming overly reflective. At 9 o’clock, a small seconds sub-dial introduces an element of asymmetry, contributing to the visual character of the timepiece. The chapter ring in stainless steel features hour indices engraved into the surface rather than applied. Three dial variants are offered: dark grey, deep blue, and forest green, each providing a different level of contrast against the polished, faceted dauphine-style hands.
The sapphire caseback reveals the manufacture CMM.20 calibre, a self-winding, micro-rotor movement designed and manufactured in Morteau, together with Olivier Mory. The rotor is mounted on ball bearings to reduce friction and improve winding efficiency. The movement operates at 28,800 vibrations/hour and delivers a 70-hour power reserve. Accuracy is rated at a regulated range of -3 to +7 seconds per day, aligning with chronometer standards even though the movement isn’t officially certified.
The movement is nicely finished; the rhodium-plated bridges are galvanised and decorated with a Côtes de Genève sunray pattern, giving the movement a dynamic, reflective quality as the light shifts across its surfaces.
The Yema Granvelle is worn on a calfskin leather strap with beige contrast stitching, tapering from the 20mm lugs down to the deployant clasp. The price is EUR 1,990 (all taxes included). For more information, visit yema.com.
5 responses
Diameter?
Diameter: 39mm
Thickness: 8.60mm
Lugs: 20mm
Absolutely love it, Yema on fire! This oozes style and a coolness vibe without being over the top. Way to go Yema, bringing something a little unique out, totally dig it!
Gorgeous! Needs a much smaller diameter, 33 to 34 mm. That would be equivalent surface area of a round watch with a 38 to 39 mm diameter. Even you want to call that a “ladies” version, fine, issue it and take my money.
I love this. I’d like to see something more from Yema, though. I’d like to see them slow down and iterate some of their designs. It just seems like every few months they drop a new watch, and before long, it’s on sale. Too many variations on their cases and bracelets. I’d love to see some core models refined and kept in the catalog.