Cupid Strikes: The New Breguet Reine de Naples 8925 Timepiece Honours Valentine’s Day

Renowned Swiss-French horologist and watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet made significant contributions to the study and measurement of time. He developed the Breguet overcoil, a type of hairspring used in watches. This innovation improved the isochronism of timekeeping, enhancing the accuracy of mechanical watches. Breguet also invented the tourbillon, a rotating cage that houses the escapement and the balance wheel in a watch. It was designed to counteract the effects of gravity on the accuracy of pocket watches. Today, tourbillons are considered a mark of high-end, precision watchmaking. 

The Reine de Naples collection from Breguet pays tribute to Caroline Murat, the Queen of Naples, who was a patron of Abraham-Louis Breguet. With Valentine’s Day round the corner, the luxury timepiece maker has unveiled its latest Reine de Naples (Ref. 8925BB/58/944 D0) variant, limited to just 28 pieces and bedecked with diamonds and rubies. 

Red is a colour that is often associated with passion. This association likely stems from the fact that it is a bold and vibrant colour that can evoke strong emotions. In many cultures, red symbolises love, desire, and romance. For example, red roses are often exchanged on special occasions, particularly on Valentine's Day. Additionally, red is often used in romantic settings, such as in the decor of wedding ceremonies. On February 14 each year, people exchange cards or flowers with their special “valentine”. One can perhaps add to this romance list Breguet’s latest love-inspired creation, Reine de Naples 8925.  

The egg-shaped, 24.95 mm, 18 ct white gold case watch follows a signature pattern — it’s wider at the bottom and narrower at the top. The crown at 4 o’clock gets a red cabochon-cut ruby, while the distinctive round-shaped attachment, covering the strap at 6 o'clock, is set with diamonds. This is followed by 45 hand-set diamonds on the bezel. Compared with the complex model created for the Queen of Naples with Flexible Minutes Hand Movements, the new model is a straightforward time-only one. The white mother-of-pearl dial gets an offset chapter ring with Breguet Arabic numerals. The flange is set with 66 rubies while 12 red, heart-shaped hour markers are seen on the off-centred subdial. Also, the classic Breguet open-tipped hands are varnished red.

The Breguet Reine de Naples 8925 watch is powered by the automatic, self-winding, in-house Calibre 586/1 with a silicon balance spring, delivering a 38-hour power reserve. Turning the watch over showcases the sapphire crystal caseback with the platinum oscillating weight, guilloché decoration, Côtes de Genève and bevelling on the mechanism. The watch is worn on a red alligator leather strap with a buckle, set with 28 diamonds.