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 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 0.77 ct) and a dial partially crafted from Tahitian mother-of-pearl. The ovoid 36.50 x 28.45mm case has a crown set with a cabochon-cut ruby (approx. 0.27 ct) and a sapphire-crystal caseback. It i water resistant to 30 m.
The dial is made of Tahitian mother-of-pearl and silvered gold and is engine-turned. Individually numbered and signed Breguet, it bears an hours chapter with Roman numerals and open-tipped Breguet hands in blued steel.
The self-winding movement Cal. 537 DRL2 is numbered and signed Breguet. Offering a 45-hour power reserve, it includes a silicon escape-wheel and an in-line lever escapement, a Breguet balance wheel and a silicon balance spring in silicon.
This new Reine de Naples 8908 is worn on a black satin strap with diamond-set folding clasp. The watch is also available with a rose gold bracelet.
Original model
The new Reine de Naples 8908 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.