For International Women’s Day, Breguet pays tribute to femininity by unveiling a new version of its iconic collection. The Reine de Naples appears adorned for the occasion in an exquisite fresh mint green shade
Breguet celebrated International Women’s Day by introducing a new version of the iconic Reine de Naples. This timepiece serves as a true ode to femininity, paying tribute to the women who have made indelible marks on history, who are trendsetters and work towards the future. Napoleon Bonaparte’s younger sister Caroline Murat was one of these brilliant, inspiring figures. She was a woman of great intelligence and literary culture, a patron of the arts, and a collector. She took a keen interest not only in the world of art, but also in economic, social, and educational issues within her kingdom, orchestrating projects such as creating schools for young girls and reforming coral factories.
The first wristwatch: imagined by a woman, created by a man
Caroline Murat was particularly fond of timepieces by Abraham-Louis Breguet and amassed an impressive collection of over 30 timepieces. At a time when ladies wore their watches as sautoir necklaces, she placed a daring and avant-garde order with Abraham-Louis Breguet, for a timepiece that she could wear on her wrist. The year was 1810, and Breguet’s founder began to work on this one-of-a-kind model: the world’s first wristwatch.
From its delivery in 1812 to its repairs in 1849 and 1855, the Breguet archives retrace the history and characteristics of this now vanished timepiece. This slender oblong creation, framing a silver guilloché dial, comprised several complications: a quarter repeater, a moon phase, and a thermometer. A wristlet of hair woven with gold thread enabled the timepiece to be worn in this novel position.
Reine de Naples in mint green
The Reine de Naples collection now embraces a palette of soft colours. After pink, grey, and white interpretations, the line welcomes a timepiece in mint green, the colour of hope. A range of hues to suit every wrist.
The dial of this new version, in white mother-of-pearl, features a sparkling chapter ring crafted using the snow-setting technique. It is surrounded by a discreet black minutes track adorned with symbols inspired by the pocket watches developed by Abraham-Louis Breguet. The iconic Breguet open-tipped hands indicate the hours and minutes, while a pear-shaped diamond at 6 o’clock adds a touch of poetic embellishment.
Layering two shades of green gives the Arabic numerals a two-dimensional appearance. The watch’s unique number, guaranteeing its authenticity, appears between 11 and 12 o’clock. This numbering tradition dates back to Breguet’s early years and enables each timepiece to be traced throughout its existence. The inner flange and bezel are adorned with 117 diamonds, suffusing the dial with an even more luminous glow. Worthy of the greatest queens, the crown is topped with a briolette-cut diamond.
Finally, the alligator leather strap is fastened by a folding clasp adorned with 28 brilliant-cut diamonds.
Beating inside an ovoid case measuring 36.5 x 28.45 mm, the 191-component 537/3 self-winding movement with a 45-hour power reserve is equipped with a balance spring and an in-line Swiss lever escapement made of silicon. This material possesses numerous properties, apart from being resistant to corrosion and wear, it is insensitive to the influence of magnetic fields and improves the accuracy of the timepiece. All of the calibre components are carefully handcrafted in the Breguet tradition, whether visible or concealed from view. The sapphire-crystal back of the white gold case reveals the platinum weight, as well as the Côtes de Genève decoration, polished screws, and chamfering on the movement. The individual watch number is engraved around the gold rim.
