In 1812, Abraham-Louis Breguet created the very first wristwatch for Napoleon’s sister, Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples. This historic piece, freely interpreted, is the inspiration for a feminine collection which has become legendary. Unfortunately, the original vanished at some point, lost forever… which somehow adds to the mystery and romanticism around many of Breguet’s timepieces.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, Breguet has attired Reine de Naples in celestial poetry. The white mother-of-pearl dial was specially chosen as it could be treated to mimic fluffy clouds that appear to float between the moon-phase display and the hours, minutes and seconds subdials.
An undisputedly iconic women’s watch, originally, it featured an oblong shape which has now turned oval. Each model in the contemporary collection, whether gem-set, beaded or lacquered, is an ode to femininity. This new interpretation from Breguet is no exception. Issued as a celebration of Valentine’s Day, this timepiece exudes romanticism.
As those in love are often found with their heads in the clouds, the shimmering mother-of-pearl dial of this new Reine de Naples interpretation is sprinkled with them. At 12 o’clock, the trail of love appears in red to indicate the 45-hour power reserve. As if suspended from the cloudy sky, the finely hammered moon-phase display is composed of white gold.
In this Valentine’s Day interpretation of the Reine de Naples, the moon-phase display appears as if suspended from the clouds.
In the lower part of the dial, the chapter ring is set with hand-guilloché natural white mother-of-pearl, as is the centre of the small seconds display. The Breguet open-tipped blued steel hands indicate the hours and minutes. Each second is priceless in the realm of love, which is why they are marked by a red-lacquered double heart. To complete these poetic touches, the white gold bezel and case flange are sprinkled with a sparkling shower of 128 diamonds. A symbol of passion, red also appears on the crown, which is set with a ruby. This white gold timepiece elegantly plays with the immaculate contrasts of the sky and the touches of garnet, expressing the fire of love.
The white gold bezel and case flange are sprinkled with 128 diamonds and the crown is set with a ruby.
To finish off in style, its blazing red alligator leather strap is fitted with a white gold triple-blade folding clasp set with 28 diamonds.
If the aesthetics of the watch are a homage to love and beauty, its mechanics faithfully reflect the high-level precision Breguet was and continues being famous for. At the heart of a Reine the Naples 8905 we find a self-winding movement, equipped with a straight-line Swiss lever escapement and a silicon hairspring. The 269-component movement beats at a frequency of 3.5 Hz while its platinum oscillating weight is entirely hand-guilloché and can be admired through the sapphire case-back, as can the movement finely decorated in keeping with the noblest principles of Haute Horlogerie.
Reine de Naples 8905
Limited edition of 28 pieces
Calibre 537DRL2, 8 3⁄4 ́ ́ ́
Water-resistant to 3 bar (30 metres)
RRP £34,300
10 New Bond Street, W1S 3SP
Tel. +44 (0) 0207 355 1735
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