Manufacturer: Breguet Year: Circa 2005 Reference No: 8919 Case No: 2264 T Model Name: Reine de Naples Material: 18k yellow gold, diamonds and mother-of-pearl Calibre: Automatic, 537/1, 20 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Black Breguet crocodile leather strap Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold and diamond-set Breguet folding deployant clasp Dimensions: 37 mm. length Signed:Case, dial and movement signed
Catalogue Essay
The present Reine de Naples collection was created much inspired by an early bracelet watch Abraham-Louis Breguet created on Royal commission by the order of Maria Caroline of Austria, the Queen of Naples. The bezel and dial flange is set with 117 brilliant-cut diamonds weighing approximately 1 carat. The crown is also set with a briolette diamond weighing approximately 0.26 carats. The elegant mother-of-pearl dial and iconic egg-shaped case retains a very distinctive look to this lady's wristwatch.
Established in 1775 by Abraham Louis Breguet, widely considered the greatest watchmaker of all time, the storied brand continues to thrive in the modern era, creating exceptional high-end watches as the Swatch Group's premier prestige brand. Some of the most important and lasting inventions in watchmaking are attributed to Abraham Louis Breguet, including the tourbillon, shock resistance and the use of hammers and gongs employed in nearly all minute repeating watches made since.
Eighteenth and nineteenth century Breguet pocketwatches are especially sought-after by collectors, and many of them were made for the elite of European society, including Napoléon and Marie Antoinette. Key wristwatches from the twentieth century include oversized dress watches, two-register chronographs, triple calendars and Type XX aviator's chronographs made for the French military and civilians.