When you think of the legendary French watchmaking house Yema, your mind immediately drifts to their rugged, adventure-ready sports watches like the iconic Superman or Navygraf.

But for 2026, the brand is showing off its remarkably adaptable design chops by stepping straight into the world of contemporary haute horlogerie and dress elegance. The result of this creative shift is nothing short of breathtaking.

Say hello to the Yema Granvelle Renaissance CMM.29. Priced at £1900, this watch completely redefines architectural elegance on the wrist, ditching the rough-and-ready aesthetic of a traditional tool watch to deliver a hyper-refined, ultra-thin masterpiece rooted deeply in classical French heritage.

A Slice of French Watchmaking History

The design ethos behind the Granvelle Renaissance CMM.29 doesn’t just pull from abstract mood boards; it is directly inspired by the harmonious 16th-century geometry of the Palace Granvelle in Besançon—the historical capital of the French watchmaking region and home to the renowned Museum of Time.

Yema has beautifully translated this physical architectural heritage into a striking 37.5mm cushion-shaped case.

Because of its expansive dial opening and unique geometry, the watch boasts a commanding visual presence that wears noticeably larger than its compact diameter suggests, offering a wrist footprint comparable to a standard 39mm round watch while delivering elite levels of all-day comfort.

* Case Dimensions: 37.5mm Width x 8.50mm Ultra-Thin Profile
* Material: Brushed and polished 316L stainless steel 
* Dial Construction: Sophisticated four-level architecture
* Lume: Super-LumiNova BGW9 Grade A on hands and indices

The Art of Geometric Depth

Peer closely at the dial, and you’ll find a highly detailed, four-level construction that creates a spectacular interplay with shifting light.

The center medallion features an intricate, stepped motif that draws direct inspiration from the geometric roof tiles of the Palace Granvelle.

“It’s a masterclass in facial symmetry and texture, surrounding the intricate central pattern with applied faceted indexes, a dedicated small seconds counter at 9 o’clock, and polished hands.”

To ensure it performs flawlessly in low-light conditions, Yema has treated the hands and hour markers with Super-LumiNova BGW9 Grade A.

The attention to detail even extends to the crown: an exclusive, cushion-shaped design that perfectly mirrors the case geometry, combining vertically brushed and sandblasted finishes for a highly tactile winding experience.

In-House Micro-Rotor Performance

What truly makes the Granvelle Renaissance a bulletproof addition to your horological lineup is the powerhouse movement ticking away under the hood.

Flipping the watch over reveals the Manufacture Caliber CMM.29, an automatic engine designed, manufactured, and assembled by Yema’s elite team within their Morteau workshops in France.

Technical Specs	Details
Movement	In-House Caliber CMM.29 Automatic
Winding System	Dense Tungsten Micro-Rotor
Power Reserve	Robust 70 Hours
Accuracy Rating	Impressive -3 to +7 seconds per day

By cleverly integrating a heavy, high-density tungsten micro-rotor directly within the plane of the movement’s main plates rather than slapping a traditional oscillating weight on top, Yema has kept the entire case profile down to an incredibly sleek 8.50mm thickness.

The rhodium-plated bridges are beautifully galvanized and finished with a striking Côtes de Genève sunray pattern, providing an elegant shimmering effect whenever it catches the light.

Refined to the Very Last Detail

To complete this dress-oriented package, Yema has paired the watch with a newly developed textured leather strap that tapers elegantly from 18mm at the lugs down to a slender 14mm at the clasp.

It secures via a bespoke stainless steel pin buckle that echoes the exact cushion-shaped, faceted layout of the watch case.

For £1900, the Yema Granvelle Renaissance CMM.29 is an absolute triumph of independent design—marrying centuries of regional history with modern engineering to create a truly unforgettable piece of wrist art.

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