Breguet Reine de Naples 9935 & 8925: New Movement And Several Premieres

To understand the Reine de Naples collection and its underlying concept, it helps to take a brief journey into history, where the inspiration for the ‘Queen of Naples’ first emerged.

Reine de Naples – A tribute to the first genuine wristwatch

Named after its patron, Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, today’s Breguet Reine des Naples collection draws on the unique history of what is believed to be the first genuine wristwatch as a multifaceted source of inspiration.

Unfortunately, the original watch from 1812 has been lost. However, records from the workshop on the Quai de L’Horloge provide information about its condition. Abraham Louis Breguet had set up his own watchmaking workshop here on the Île de la Cité in Paris in 1775. He quickly became a supplier to the rich and powerful. In 1783, he was commissioned to make a watch for Marie Antoinette, which was considered the most complicated watch in the world for almost a century. This was followed by Tsar Nicholas, the Duke of Orleans, the King of England and Napoleon Bonaparte, brother of Caroline Murat.

She was particularly fond of the watchmaker’s skills. Over the course of her life, she ordered more than 30 timepieces from Abraham Louis Breguet. One of them would change the world of watchmaking.Recorded in the order books of 1810 as a ‘Répétition de forme oblongue pour bracelet’ – an oblong repeating watch mounted on a wristband – this extraordinary creation was unlike anything seen before. It was completed and delivered on 21 December 1812.

No wonder that in 2002, watch brand Breguet dedicated an entire collection to this watch, reserved exclusively for women. ‘It was a woman who created the first wristwatch in history in 1810. Women therefore play a central role at Breguet, and it is no coincidence that an entire collection was dedicated to them over 20 years ago,’ explains Breguet CEO Gregory Kissling.

Reine de Naples 9935 & 8925 – an elegant duo from Breguet

Two new references in different versions commemorate this special chapter in Breguet’s history. These elegant timepieces feature numerous firsts, a worthy tribute to the brand’s 250th anniversary. They are also the first birthday models designed specifically for women.

Reine de Naples Reference 9935

The Reference 9935 is available in four versions and has been equipped with a revised movement and a new type of display.

9935: Case made of Breguet Gold

For the first time, Breguet is using Breguet Gold, a durable rose gold alloy composed of gold, silver, copper and palladium, in its Reine de Naples collection. The case, with its fluted centre section, measures 36.5 x 28.5 millimetres. It is connected to the bracelet by the characteristic hemispherical lug at 6 o’clock, which is set with diamonds in a snow setting. The sparkle continues on the bezel and flange.

The oval caseback with a circular viewing window is also decorated with the hand-guilloché ‘Quai de l’Horloge’ motif.

9935: Mother-of-pearl, diamonds, and a double dial

Watch enthusiasts can choose between three different dials. The mother-of-pearl version is the most understated. The model with 508 diamonds in a snow setting, on the other hand, provides a striking sparkle. Both are also adorned with a sapphire at 12 o’clock and on the crown.

But the most extraordinary feature is the two-level dial. The upper level consists of dark blue aventurine glass with sparkling copper particles. Beneath it is a thin disc of shimmering Tahitian mother-of-pearl. This creates a mysterious glow that seems to come from deep within, crowned by a pear-cut diamond at 12 o’clock.

In addition to hours, minutes, and seconds – displayed by Breguet Gold hands with pomme tips – the Reine de Naples 9935 also displays the moon phase. The mother-of-pearl moon is slightly domed and, for the first time, placed on an aventurine disc. It also bears a ‘secret’ white signature that can only be seen upon closer inspection. In favour of an enlarged Earth satellite, the designers have dispensed with the power reserve indicator.

The face of the 9935 is rounded off by six drop-cut diamonds, which complement the applied Arabic Breguet numerals – another first.

9935: Updated movement

For reference 9935, Breguet has chosen the new automatic calibre 537L2 (a revised version of the 537/1) with a flat silicon balance spring and a 45-hour power reserve. The oscillating weight is made of 950 platinum and finished with Breguet Gold.

It is decorated with the ‘Petit Trianon’ motif, created especially for the Reine de Naples line and guilloché by hand. This motif is inspired by the gardens at the Palace of Versailles, which served as a source of inspiration for Napoleon Bonaparte when he commissioned the renovation of the Petit Trianon and Grand Trianon pleasure palaces.

9935: New bracelet in Breguet Gold or blue alligator leather strap

As already mentioned, the Reine de Naples collection dates back to the first genuine wristwatch. In Breguet’s anniversary year, it therefore deserves a newly created bracelet. It clearly echoes the design of the lug at 6 o’clock as well as Caroline Murat’s fondness for pearls.

The models with mother-of-pearl or diamond dials are adorned with it: pure Breguet Gold or additionally set with over 800 diamonds. The bracelet has an almost invisible integrated clasp and can be adjusted to the millimetre in the brand’s boutiques.

The version with Tahitian mother-of-pearl and aventurine glass is worn on a blue alligator leather strap, which is also combined with the version with a white mother-of-pearl dial.

9935: Price & Availability

The Reine de Naples 9935 comes in a special red leather case to mark Breguet’s 250th anniversary.

Reine de Naples Reference 8925

The 8925 model unites an elegant aesthetic with a pared-down display limited to hours and minutes. Instead, the number of diamonds on the bezel has been increased from 37 to 41.

8925: Case made from Breguet’s own gold alloy

This Reine de Naples also features a Breguet Gold case with a fluted centre section and a glass back, which at 33 x 25 millimetres is slightly smaller than that of the 9935. The caseback is also decorated with the ‘Quai de l’Horloge’ motif.

107 diamonds adorn the bezel and flange. In addition, there are 52 precious stones on the central lug at the bottom of the case and a single diamond on the crown.

8925: Three dial options

There are three different dials to choose from: white mother-of-pearl, shimmering Breguet Gold and Breguet Gold with black aventurine glass. All feature a guilloché off-centre hour circle, hands with ‘pomme’ tips in Breguet Gold, a drop-cut diamond at 12 o’clock and 46 diamonds on the hour ring.

8925: Trusted movement

The Reine de Naples 8925 is powered by the automatic calibre 586/1 with automatic winding and a flat silicon balance spring, which is used in many models in the line. The oscillating weight in 950 platinum showcases the ‘Petit Trianon’ guilloché motif and is coated with 18-carat Breguet Gold. It offers a power reserve of 38 hours.

8925: Breguet Gold to behold

The 8925 reference is exclusively fitted with the new Breguet Gold bracelet. ‘We wanted to offer a watch that combines jewellery and timekeeping, yet is wearable in everyday life. This desire gave rise to the idea of a jewellery bracelet that would accompany its owner from morning to night in all circumstances,’ says CEO Gregory Kissling.

Price & Availability

To mark Breguet’s 250th anniversary, the Reine de Naples 9935 comes in a special red leather case.

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