Breguet Reine de Naples 8908

Breguet Reine de Naples 8908

This year, Breguet is presenting a new interpretation of its Reine de Naples 8908 model, the first timepiece of the eponymous collection launched in 2002. This new version is distinguished by an association between a rose gold case set with 128 diamonds and a dial partially crafted from Tahitian mother-of-pearl. It effectively enhances the main attributes of the original model, namely the moon phases and the power-reserve indicator at 12 o’clock; along with the offset hours chapter and small seconds at 6 and 7 o’clock respectively. The layout of these functions is inspired by the first ever wristwatch, created by A.-L. Breguet between 1810 and 1812 for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples. According to the historical records, stored in the Breguet Museum (Place Vendôme, Paris), model No 2639 was an oblong-shaped repeater watch fitted with a dainty wristlet. It featured a detached lever escapement and was equipped with a thermometer and fast/slow indicator off the dial – replaced on reference 8908 by a moon phase and a power-reserve indicator. When delivered on December 21, 1812, it had an engine-tuned silver dial with Arabic numerals.

With its new Reine de Naples 8908, Breguet is reinterpreting this fabulous portion of its watchmaking history, while also enriching its range of ladies’ watches. Like the timepiece ordered by Caroline Murat, the Manufacture now offers women a distinctive watch that is as beautiful as it is technical, equipped with a self-winding calibre specially developed with them in mind.