Breguet has unveiled a new watch from the famed Reine de Naples collection for ladies which features the delicate dance of the Sun and the Moon. The elegant and original Breguet Reine de Naples Day/Night 8998 newcomer is superbly beautified and supplied with an unusual complication. Apart from showing the correct time on the lower dial with Roman numerals, it also has an additional display for hours of night and day which features representation of the Sun and the Moon which circle around the upper part of the watch’s face. Day/Night 8998 watch is placed in the recognizable Reine de Naples case of oval shape and it is superbly decorated with the use of precious materials, diamonds and high-end finishes. More importantly, it is likewise equipped with a proprietary mechanical self-winding 78CS caliber.
The Reine de Naples lineage got its name after the Napoleon’s sister, Caroline Murat, for whom Breguet constructed the very first wristwatch in the world two centuries ago. Each of the following watches from the series named after Caroline Murat’s title, the Queen of Naples, is made in the same spirit. The latest timepiece in the collection is a true representative of these values which combine supreme decorations and high horological quality.
A Balance Wheel as the Sun
While the watch incorporates several distinguished features, its most characteristic feature is its Night/Day indication shown on the upper section of the dial. The background for the sky and the celestial bodies is made from lapis lazuli which serves as a background. On it, there are clouds from white-mother-of-pearl, stars crafted from gold, and the Moon constructed of engraved titanium. However, impressive as they are, these elements are overshadowed by the representation of the Sun. As the designers of the famed watchmaker devised, the Sun is the movement’s balance wheel with a faceted rim which casts rays of light on the sky. Not only that the balance drives the watch, but it also rotates around the chapter ring with Breguet-style Arabic numerals. At the same time, the Moon made of a titanium disc also rotates so the wearer can see whether it is day or night.
While the night and day hours indication sits on the top of the dial, the regular timekeeping function is executed with a traditional dial which is off-centered and pushed slightly down. Two chapter rings are intermingled and the steel arched bridge that supports the movement serves also as the upper part of the traditional hour and minute scale. Though not as impressive as the upper section, the silvered lower part has its charm and includes lovely engine-turned in flame decorations, as well as barley-corn motifs. The dial of the newcomer from the Reine de Naples collection is completed with blued polished steel Breguet-type hour and minute hands.
As it is customary for a high-end piece made for the fairer sex, the watch includes additional diamond decorations. On its fixed bezel, it displays 143 shiny stones (with the total weight of around 1.45 carats). The crown placed at the five o’clock position is graced with another briolette diamond that weighs about 0.26 carats. The final decoration featured in the Breguet novelty is the winding rotor with Sun engraving that can be see through its transparent case-back.
Inside the lovely timepiece by Breguet beats an in-house mechanical movement with an automatic winding, Calibre 78CS. The movement in question includes 45 jewels and beats at the frequency of 3.5 Hz. It has a Breguet balance wheel, a Swiss straight line lever escapement and a flat balance spring. The movement is adjusted in six positions, while its power reserve lasts for around 57 hours.
White or Pink Gold Case
The case of the watch is in the recognizable Reine de Naples oval shape. Its height is 40.05 mm, the width is 32 mm, while the thickness of the watch with a ribbed profile measures to 10.05 mm. There are two options for the case material. While the model with the reference number 8998BB/11/874 D00D has a housing made from white gold, the model 8998BR/11/874 D00D is fitted into a rose-gold casing. The strap of choice is made from satin and fastens with a three-blade clasp, regardless of the version.
