Breguet’s latest Reine de Naples women timepiece.
As warmth waves have moved throughout the U.S., wreaking havoc of their sweltering paths, I discover it helps to deal with cooler—as in chillier—ideas to assist take my thoughts off my wilting will.
Breguet’s new Reine de Naples 8938 is one such choice, since lovely women watches at all times elevate my temper. And snow-set diamonds, by their very identify, remind me that cooler days are certainly forward with the gift-giving season shut behind.
Should you’ve not heard of snow-set diamonds, let me provide you with a really transient primer.
Typically known as random pavé setting, snow setting is an arduous model of gem setting whereby various sizes of stones are set instantly into hand-hollowed areas of normally valuable steel—in lieu of prongs or bezels and such—configured to match the sizes of the stones. The diamonds are positioned very shut collectively, and one of many marks of an achieved stone setter is the quantity of seen steel holding them—the much less the higher. The tip results of this time-consuming jeweler’s artwork is a glowing flourish evocative of wintry scene. The stones are set in random patterns, making every bit is exclusive.
Snow setting isn’t new to watches, with Chopard, Jaeger Le-Coultre, Girard Perregaux, Chanel, Richard Mille, to call a number of, having used this system over time. Richard Mille’s latest women RM07-01 and RM 037, as examples, are coated head-to-toe in snow-set diamonds, and the impact is sensational. Snow setting works for colourful stones as nicely, as in some early fashions inside Dior’s colourful La D assortment, designed by the proficient jewellery designer Victoire de Castellane.
Reine de Naples
Breguet debuted the Reine de Naples assortment in 2002, and it was designed, in line with the model, to pay homage to the wristwatch that Abraham-Louis Breguet long-established for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1812. Since then, the gathering has change into Breguet’s flagship women mannequin comprising quite a few variations, every that includes the emblematic elongated case with a gently fluted case band, an offset dial at 6 o’clock and crown at 5 o’clock.
Gold is most frequently used for the case, however steel-cased fashions have additionally made their means into the gathering. Leather-based or cloth straps and steel bracelets are provided. Mom-of-pearl, enamel, hand-engraved and gem-set dials can be found, and even seashell, crafted as a cameo, has been employed. Roman or Arabic numerals most frequently mark the hours. This new mannequin 8938 options practically 400 snow-set diamonds on the dial alone, with a mother-of-pearl chapter ring that includes Breguet numerals.
The mechanics of the Reine de Naples watches vary from easy time telling to grand problems. The 8938’s capabilities contains hours and minutes, powered by a 26-jewel self-winding motion with a platinum oscillating weight and silicon steadiness spring.
The brand new mannequin is out there in white gold with a blue leather-based strap or rose gold with an orange leather-based strap. It additionally features a diamond-set bezel, flange, crown and clasp (triple blade) on the strap. The blued metal Breguet palms present a welcome counterpoint to the icy diamonds on the dial, I believe, coaxing the barest whisper of coloration from the chapter ring.