English Version | Fit for a queen

The butterfly effect is a mysterious concept, creating inevitable confusion. But not even this phenomenon can escape the precision of luxury watches, which is submitted to the punctuality of luxury.

The new Queen Naples 8918, Breguet's latest watch, is a symbol of the impact that the brand has had, and continues to have, on the world of watchmaking. The butterfly effect that Abraham-Louis Breguet, the founder of Breguet, had on mankind - and particularly on the world of watchmaking - is felt in a significant way. Unlike the butterfly, whose flapping wings set off a chain reaction imperceptible to the human eye, Breguet's impact is more than observable, it is quantifiable. He was responsible for inventing not just one, but two functions that characterize modern watchmaking. In addition to garnering all the prestige associated with these innovations, Breguet also collected the adoration of two of the most important women of the 18th and 19th centuries: Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, and Caroline Bonaparte, Queen of Naples. According to legend, the former, known for adoring luxury and ostentation, would marvel for hours at Breguet's creations.

The Queen of Naples' fondness for Breguet's works of fine watchmaking led her to amount a priceless collection. But in addition to supporting him, Carolina Bonaparte became the most important figure for an artist like a watchmaker: his muse. It was through this inspiration that Breguet created something that revolutionized the world. The simplicity of his invention may, in this day and age, be dismissed, but without Breguet the way we use watches would be profoundly different. Thought to be a gift for Caroline Bonaparte, sister of the emperor and queen, the watchmaker created the first wristwatch. The creation, a priceless relic, has been missing since 1855. The whereabouts of this watch are a mystery, but its legacy is palpable (and not only in the history books) as in the new Breguet watch: the Queen of Naples 8918.

From the meticulous records of the brand founded by the Prussian watchmaker, Breguet has created an actual work of art. As the piece of Haute Horlogerie that it is, looking at the Queen of Naples 8918 is a delightful experience. As soon as you gaze at the watch, the first distinguishing characteristic is its shape: a delicate oval. Once you understand the shape, it is the dial that piques your interest. Designed using a century-old technique, the dial is made of white grand feu enamel, reflecting the light that reaches it softly, as if it were the sun at dawn. Then follow the numerals of the watch which, through their blue suit, invoke crystalline skies, accompanied by hands of a similar hue. Our gaze turns to the outer part of the watch and it is no longer on its shape that our attention is focused but on its case. Made of white gold and 117 Swiss precision-cut diamonds, the circumference of the bezel perfectly matches its interior. Like the whereabouts of the original watch, belonging to the Queen of Naples, this new watch contains a mystery. The divine beauty of the Queen of Naples 8918 is in its temperament, choosing to highlight different parts of its composition according to the light that bathes it. It is also only when this light hits it that its secret is revealed, located in the 3 o'clock numeral.

Translated from the original on The Butterfly Effect issue from Vogue Portugal, published October 2022.Full story and credits on the print issue.