French watchmaker YEMA is stepping into new territory with the introduction of the Senans Grande Lune, a striking new dress watch that combines an oversized moonphase complication, an in house micro rotor movement and some rather interesting dial architecture. Marking the debut of the brand's new Senans collection, the Grande Lune represents a more refined direction for YEMA, moving beyond its familiar tool watch territory without losing the independent spirit that has helped define the brand.
And there's certainly nothing particularly conventional about this moonphase.
Rather than hiding the lunar complication away in a small aperture, YEMA has decided to put the moon firmly centre stage. Positioned at 7 o'clock, the oversized display features a sculptural three dimensional moon crafted from a solid block of Grade X Super LumiNova using Globolight technology. Detailed with lunar craters and surface textures, it takes on an entirely different character after dark, emitting a warm glow that gives the dial a rather magical appearance.
Surrounding the moon is an intricate barleycorn guilloché pattern, inspired by the Fibonacci sequence and the natural geometry found in sunflowers and pine cones. The textured central dial is complemented by a circular brushed outer section, with concentric luminous rings providing an interesting contrast between the different finishes.
Three dial colours are available at launch: blue, champagne and black, each bringing a slightly different personality to the overall design.
The 38.5mm stainless steel case is another highlight, measuring just 8.70mm thick with a 46mm lug to lug measurement. Its stepped construction, polished bezel and vertically brushed case sides give it a distinctly classical appearance, while the double domed sapphire crystal adds to the vintage inspired aesthetic. Water resistance comes in at 50 metres, making it perfectly suitable for everyday wear, although we suspect this is one that will spend more time under a shirt cuff than beneath the waves.
Inside is where things get particularly interesting. The Grande Lune is powered by YEMA's new CMM.22 Manufacture calibre, an automatic micro rotor movement developed from the brand's existing CMM.20 architecture. Integrating an oversized moonphase complication into such a slim movement presented a considerable engineering challenge, with the new lunar mechanism measuring just 0.83mm thick.
The resulting movement retains the benefits of the micro rotor architecture while accommodating the additional complication, allowing YEMA to keep the overall case profile impressively slender. Finished in anthracite, the movement can be admired through the sapphire exhibition caseback, offering a rather attractive contrast between its dark surfaces and the polished components.
Completing the package is a choice of grained leather strap or an integrated 316L stainless steel mesh bracelet, both featuring quick release functionality for easy changes.
The Senans collection takes its name and inspiration from the Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans, an 18th century architectural landmark in eastern France, close to YEMA's workshops in Morteau. Designed by Claude Nicolas Ledoux, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is celebrated for its distinctive semicircular architecture, a shape that has clearly influenced the sweeping lunar aperture found on the Grande Lune.
Limited to 200 pieces per dial colour, the Senans Grande Lune is a particularly ambitious debut for a collection that signals a new chapter for the French manufacturer. Orders open on 11 November 2026, with early access available through YEMA's website. Shipping is expected to begin during the first week of December, and each watch comes with a five year international warranty.
Specifications
Movement: YEMA Manufacture CMM.22 automatic micro rotor
Functions: Hours, minutes and oversized moonphase complication
Case: 316L stainless steel, polished bezel and brushed case sides
Case Diameter: 38.5mm
Case Thickness: 8.70mm
Lug To Lug: 46mm
Lug Width: 20mm
Crystal: Double domed sapphire with anti reflective coating
Caseback: Sapphire exhibition caseback
Water Resistance: 50 metres
Dial Colours: Blue, champagne and black
Luminescence: Grade X Super LumiNova, including three dimensional Globolight moon
Strap Options: Grained leather or integrated stainless steel mesh bracelet
Limited Edition: 200 pieces per dial colour
Warranty: Five years
Price: From £2240
Winding Things Up
There's something rather refreshing about seeing YEMA take a step away from its familiar dive and motorsport inspired designs to explore something a little more horologically ambitious. The Senans Grande Lune isn't simply another dress watch with a moonphase complication thrown into the mix. Its oversized luminous moon, intricate guilloché dial and genuinely interesting micro rotor movement give it a personality all of its own.
Perhaps more importantly, it demonstrates that YEMA is keen to be taken seriously as a manufacture, with the CMM.22 representing a meaningful piece of in house engineering rather than simply another off the shelf movement.
With just 200 examples available in each colour, this is certainly one worth keeping an eye on when orders open. The traditional dress watch has just received a rather interesting French makeover.
