Yema Granvelle CMM.20 | HANDS-ON

Zach Blass

Yema has develop into a fan-favourite model for budding and seasoned watch collectors alike. Although it has but to permeate the mainstream watch market, the gathering area of interest has began to essentially tune into the model, its wealthy previous, and its modern-day choices, which pair increased specs with lower cost factors. Sometimes talking, after we consider Yema, we consider its strong dive watch choices just like the Superman. This month, nonetheless, the French producer is showcasing a distinct shade of its capabilities with a extra informal, and considerably dressy timepiece: the Yema Granvelle CMM.20.

The case

The Granvelle CMM.20 is alleged to be impressed by the arches of Granvelle Palace in Besançon, a area identified for being the hub of French watchmaking and the place Yema’s manufacture relies. Its 50-metre waterproof metal case is 39mm in diameter, 8.6mm thick, and 47mm lug-to-lug, with its cushion form exhibiting wealthy vertical brushing, mirror-polished accents, and a coined caseband for added texture and aptitude. At nicely under 10mm in thickness, it sits good and low on the wrist because of its micro-rotor motion. Taking a look at an image of the palace arches subsequent to the Granvelle CMM.20 case, the throughline of their visible parallels is instantly clear.

The dials

We have been capable of get hands-on with each the gray and inexperienced dial variants, however for the file, a blue possibility is accessible as nicely. Except for the color of the stamped guilloché central medallion, all three dials are similar in format and magnificence. On the centre, two polished, alpha-shaped fingers for the hours and minutes might be discovered. Usually, you’ll count on the guilloché to radiate out from the centre, however right here, the concentric texture radiates out from the small seconds pinion on the 9 o’clock place as a substitute. On the outermost perimeter of the guilloché medallion, a railroad minute observe legibly denotes the minutes, solely interrupted between 5 and seven o’clock by the “manufacture française” textual content. Framing the colored centre, there’s a sloped, white chapter ring with hour markers carved into the steel, including additional visible intrigue and depth. With the bezel, outer chapter ring, and inside medallion all sharing the identical cushioned form, the attention is basically drawn into the centre. There’s a serene visible concord to its aesthetic.

The strap

All three configurations of the Yema Granvelle CMM.20 are outfitted on a “premium” brown calf leather-based strap that tapers properly from the lugs right down to the case-matching deployant folding clasp. In an effort to guarantee one of the best match attainable, Yema kindly packages the watch with two different-sized strap ends, a medium and a big, in order that each common and larger-sized wrists can attain their supreme sizing.

The motion

As I discussed earlier than, it’s Yema’s experience in micro-rotor actions that permits the model to supply thinner watches. And although the calibre is thinner, it has ample energy reserve and shock-resistance. On a full wind, the CMM.20 will final 70 hours off the wrist, with the micro-rotor not solely winding the motion, but additionally affording a full view of the ornament. The CMM.20 inside the Granvelle departs from its namesake seen within the Superman Slim, utilizing a extra conventional type of end. As an alternative of darkened, matte black bridges, a sunray striping type might be seen radiating out from the micro-rotor on the high of the motion, guiding the attention in the direction of the steadiness wheel, which is notably held by a full steadiness bridge. Greater than only a visually stimulating motion, Yema pledges an accuracy score of +7/-3 seconds per day. That’s almost inside COSC chronometer requirements.

The decision

With a value under US$2,000, it’s laborious to not see the worth being supplied by Yema and the micro-rotor calibre-driven Granvelle CMM.20 by even essentially the most stringent of requirements. All of it actually boils down as to whether or not you’re keen on its arch-inspired cushion form and its dial aesthetic. Personally, I feel the carved hour markers actually elevate the dials in a definite means, and the colored central medallions look nice as nicely. The scale are supreme for individuals who desire fashionable, but compact sizing, and the case ending and fluting are pleasing too.

One factor I might have been curious to see, however suspect the micro-rotor calibre could not enable, is a model of the Granvelle the place the small seconds is positioned at 6 o’clock slightly than 9. I solely say this due to the considerably empty actual property on the backside of the dial, the place the railroad observe breaks. It appears good as is, but when the micro-rotor branding was eliminated, the small seconds positioned instead, and the sample radiating upwards from the underside, I feel it could go well with my tastes higher. Then once more, whereas I don’t favour asymmetrically positioned small seconds, the excellence of getting the sample radiate out from 9 o’clock is a refreshing visible.

Yema Granvelle CMM.20 pricing and availability

The Yema Granvelle CMM.20 is now accessible for buy. Worth: US$1,990