ALABASTER-TONED, CELESTIAL-LOOKING
Breguet’s famous and highly-feminine oval watch invites Grand Feu enamel to weave its magic on its cloud-white face, set off with azure blue numerals and interlaced with ribbons of diamonds.
Each time the Reine de Naples, this “grande dame” of the watchmaking world, makes an official appearance it induces fascination from its public with its perfectly-proportioned ovoid-shaped contour and elegant face, often crafted like a miniature work of art. This crowned head, inspired by the timepiece created by Abraham-Louis Breguet between 1810 and 1812 for Caroline Murat, Napoleon Bonaparte’s sister and Queen of Naples, is undeniably the most feminine watch in the watchmaking galaxy. A position it preserves by renewing itself yet forever continuing to weave its charm, as illustrated through the new Reine de Naples 8918 whose sky-blue alligator strap embraces the wrist elegantly, delicately.
For this occasion, Her Royal Highness espoused the one-of-a-kind exquisiteness of Grand Feu enamel which offers dazzle that remains eternally. The watch’s oval face is covered with an immaculately-velvety layer, obtained by dint of craftsmen’s patience and dexterity. Like a break in fluffy white clouds letting a glimpse of azure blue sky through, the endlessly-tapering Breguet numerals on the hour chapter and the minute tracker traditionally fashioned with dots, fleur-de-lis and lozenges, are blue-enameled. A shade which the two small, slightly off-centered, Breguet hollow moon-tip hour and minute hands reiterate. At 6 o’clock, a pear-cut diamond encircled by rounded chamfering diffuses its glow. The subtlety of this celestial-looking alabaster tone is highlighted by a ribbon of brilliant-cut diamonds scattered across the flange which echoes the gems strewn over the bezel.
The precious 36.5×28.45 mm white gold case exalts its crown with a briolette-cut diamond and adorns its back with a sapphire crystal, an invitation to admire the automatic 537/3 caliber which delivers a power reserve of 45 hours.
Price: CHF36,500 breguet.com
By Sharmila Bertin