Swiss watch brand Breguet presented two new models of the Reine de Naples watch, which Breguet made especially for Napoleon’s sister Caroline Murat.
Reine de Naples is probably the most iconic women’s watch. To some extent, this is a watch with a rich 200-year history. Breguet Reine de Naples 9835 and 9838 are not too different in appearance from other modern models in the collection. They have an oval shape, are elegantly designed and are a small mechanical miracle that pleases the owner’s eye.
The 9835 and 9838 models use a sophisticated “flexible minute hand”. The time is read by the hours, which are displayed in a semicircular window in the center of the dial, and the minutes, whose indication is accompanied by engineering magic. Two brackets, joined on the axis and at the tip, form a heart that contracts and expands as the “hand” moves around the dial. The brackets are connected but work independently. Each moves at its own speed, adapting its shape to the shape of the watch.
This little wonder is powered by Breguet’s own caliber, the self-winding 78A0 movement. Consisting of 252 parts, it features an escape wheel, a flat balance spring and an integrated silicon lever escapement. The rotor is platinum, and the decoration of the movement is visible through the sapphire case back.
The new Breguet Reine de Naples 9835 is protected by a white gold case with a dark blue mother-of-pearl dial. The flange, bezel and lugs are set with 161 diamonds, the crown is topped with a briolette-cut diamond, and the folding clasp is set with a further 28 diamonds. This model has an alligator leather strap that matches the color of the dial and is limited to 20 pieces. Model 9838 has a white lacquered dial with blue sapphires on the bezel, flange and crown. The numbers around the dial stretch and shorten, as if continuing the effect of a flexible hand. The watch is offered on a blue alligator strap with a folding clasp set with 28 blue sapphires.
