Breguet
Reine de Naples, Reference 8918 | A white gold and diamond-set bracelet watch with mother-of-pearl dial | Circa 2014
Lot Closed
May 13, 12:45 PM GMT
Estimate
9,000 - 14,000 CHF
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Read more.Lot Details
Description
Dial: mother of pearl
Calibre: cal. 537/1 automatic, 20 jewels
Movement number: 0'024'442
Case: 18k white gold and diamond-set, sapphire crystal display back secured by 6 screws
Case number: 2'942
Closure: 18k white gold and diamond-set Breguet articulated tassel bracelet and double folding clasp
Size: 29 x 36.5 mm (width x length), bracelet circumference approximately 145 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
Accessories: two Breguet spare bracelet links
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The Breguet Reine de Naples traces its origins to an era when timepieces served purely as functional tools, primarily in the form of pocket watches. In 1812, Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, envisioned something revolutionary—a luxurious timepiece worn on the wrist. To bring her vision to life, she commissioned the esteemed watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet. Inspired by this historical moment, Breguet introduced the "Reine de Naples" collection in 2002, paying homage to the original wristwatch created for the Queen. The collection maintains its signature elegance with its distinctive ovoid, egg-shaped case.
The present lot, reference 8918, is a stunning example of this legacy. Encased in white gold, the bezel and dial flange are adorned with 117 brilliant-cut diamonds, totaling approximately one carat. The mother-of-pearl dial features elongated Arabic numerals, complemented by a pear-shaped diamond at 6 o’clock. A cabochon diamond-set crown adds a touch of refinement, while the diamond-set white gold bracelet, secured with a white gold clasp set with a pear-shaped diamond echoing the dial, enhances the watch’s cohesive and sophisticated aesthetic.
At its heart lies the automatic in-house caliber 537, a 19mm movement used in all of Breguet’s ladies’ watches. Each component is meticulously hand-finished, and the white gold rotor features the exquisite guilloché engraving that is emblematic of Breguet craftsmanship.
On the wrist, the Reine de Naples 8918 is both elegant and commanding—a true statement piece. Beyond its historical significance, it is a masterpiece for any discerning collector.