Breguet’s Blooming Brilliance: Inside The New Reine de Naples High Jewellery Masterpieces
4 min read
Breguet steps into its 250th year with a flourish of light, texture and emotion, unveiling two creations that seem almost alive on the wrist. In a moment where history meets pure artistry, the Reine de Naples collection takes centre stage with the mesmerising Crazy Flower and the regal Perles Impériales. As the brand’s only fully feminine collection, the Reine de Naples has always carried an air of refinement and poetic craftsmanship. This anniversary sees the Maison unveil two pieces that blend precious gem-setting with horological savoir-faire, all crafted in radiant Breguet gold. With these High Jewellery marvels, Breguet transforms time into something intimate, tactile and breathtakingly radiant.
At first glance, both new interpretations share the same fluid elegance that defines the Reine de Naples line. Yet each model expresses its own personality through gemstones, materials and texture. The Crazy Flower dazzles with 436 diamonds arranged in a mobile, shimmering composition. In contrast, the Perles Impériales pairs diamonds with iridescent Akoya pearls, all set against a luminous opal dial.
Crazy Flower: A Living Jewel Inspired by Nature
The Crazy Flower is shaped by the movement of the wrist, designed so its diamonds seem to ripple like petals stirred by a gentle breeze. The frangipani flower serves as its muse, its palette of soft whites and warm yellows translated into diamonds and Breguet gold.
At the core of this artistry is a series of mobile corollas, each one handcrafted and paved with baguette-cut diamonds. These concentric, ovoid rings follow the iconic curve of the Reine de Naples silhouette. Every stone is individually set in a delicate gold framework that gives the entire structure flexibility and natural motion. Double curvature ensures the corollas sit comfortably and fluidly on the wrist, responding gracefully to each gesture.
At the centre lies a fully diamond-paved dial featuring two Breguet hands curved by hand to sit perfectly on the domed surface. Instead of a traditional setting, Breguet developed an inverted technique in which the stones are set point-up, like countless miniature pistils. This unusual configuration captures and scatters light in a remarkably vivid way, creating a sparkling landscape of reflections and depth.
At noon sits a gold cartouche, while the watch is powered by the ultra-slim calibre 586/1 with a 38-hour power reserve. Visible through the sapphire case back, the hand-guilloché platinum oscillating weight debuts here with a two-tone “Petit Trianon” motif, underscoring the celebratory spirit of Breguet’s anniversary year. The watch comes on a champagne-toned satin-finish alligator strap with a triple folding clasp set with 28 diamonds. In total, the Crazy Flower glitters with 436 diamonds weighing 37.2 carats, each piece made to order.
Perles Impériales: A Tribute to the Akoya Pearl
The second creation, the Reine de Naples Perles Impériales, shines a spotlight on the Akoya pearl which is a gem that has long represented purity and beauty. Cultivated in Japan since the late 19th century, Akoya pearls are known for their perfect symmetry and subtle iridescence. Their history intertwines with Breguet’s own heritage, stretching back to Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, who received the first-ever wristwatch from Abraham-Louis Breguet.
This new interpretation plays with texture and luminosity through a sophisticated dialogue between pearls, diamonds and opal. Diamonds line the case middle, bezel and flange, held in place by heart-shaped claws that form an intricate lattice. The structure creates a basket of 38 diamonds, each alcove shaped and finished by hand in Breguet gold. The opal dial, glowing with gentle depth, hosts two Breguet hands and a brilliant array of 211 diamonds, accentuated by a pear-shaped stone at 12 o’clock. Four gold numerals and eight gold studs mark the hours, adding a touch of refinement without overwhelming the opal’s natural character.
At 6 o’clock rests an Akoya pearl positioned where the collection’s signature ball attachment typically sits. This perfect sphere mirrors the oval silhouette of the case, forming a soft yet striking focal point. From here unfolds a remarkable bracelet: a central row made entirely of Akoya pearls, bordered by articulated gold links that balance suppleness with structure. A champagne satin-finish alligator strap is also included as an alternative.
Turning the watch over reveals the hand-guilloché platinum oscillating weight decorated with the “Petit Trianon” motif, accompanied by the Quai de l’Horloge pattern. The calibre 586/1, signed and numbered, offers a 38-hour power reserve a shared heartbeat with its Crazy Flower counterpart.
A Pair of Timepieces Rooted in Legacy
Both watches pay homage to the legacy of the Reine de Naples and to Breguet’s enduring connection with artistry and innovation. As the Maison celebrates its 250th anniversary, these two creations express the spirit of a brand that continues to shape watchmaking history through elegance, craftsmanship and imagination.
