Reine De Naples
On June 8th, 1810, Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples and youngest sister of Napoleon Bonaparte, commissioned Abraham Louis Breguet to make something that had never existed before: a watch designed to be worn on the wrist. That watch, Breguet No. 2639, was an ultra thin repeating watch in an oblong ...
See moreOn June 8th, 1810, Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples and youngest sister of Napoleon Bonaparte, commissioned Abraham Louis Breguet to make something that had never existed before: a watch designed to be worn on the wrist. That watch, Breguet No. 2639, was an ultra thin repeating watch in an oblong gold case, mounted on a wristlet of hair entwined with gold thread. It was delivered on December 21st, 1812. Seventeen craftsmen performed thirty four operations to complete it. It is the first known wristwatch in the history of horology, and it has been lost since 1855. No sketch of it survives. Only words in Breguet's workshop registers.
The Reine De Naples collection, launched in 2002, is Breguet's tribute to that watch and to the woman who imagined it. Every piece features the oval case shape inspired by the original's oblong form, precious materials worthy of a queen's commission, and the mechanical seriousness that has defined Breguet for 250 years. No other women's watch collection can trace its lineage to the invention of the wristwatch itself. Browse the collection below, or explore our wider luxury watch selection.
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The Woman Who Invented the Wristwatch
Caroline Murat was not merely a queen by marriage. She was a political force, a cultural patron, and by Breguet's own records, his most important client. Between 1808 and 1814, she purchased thirty four clocks and watches from the house, more than any other individual. Born Caroline Bonaparte in 1782, she married Joachim Murat in 1800 and became Queen of Naples when Napoleon appointed Murat to the throne in 1808. She was ambitious, intelligent, and had a genuine passion for horology that went beyond decoration.
Her commission on June 8th, 1810 was specific: she wanted a repeating watch designed to be worn on the wrist. At the time, this was unprecedented. Watches were carried in pockets. The idea of mounting one on a bracelet required Abraham Louis Breguet to rethink everything about how a watch could be constructed: the shape (oblong rather than round, to sit naturally against the wrist), the thickness (ultra thin, to avoid bulk), the attachment (a wristlet of hair and gold thread rather than a chain), and the complications (a minute repeater and thermometer in a package small enough for a woman's wrist). The result, Breguet No. 2639, was completed by seventeen craftsmen across thirty four operations and delivered on December 21st, 1812.
The watch's subsequent history is as remarkable as its creation. In 1849, Countess Rasponi (born Louise Murat, Caroline's youngest daughter) brought the watch to Breguet's workshop for repair. The register describes it in detail: "a very thin repeater watch No. 2639, silver dial, Arabic numerals, with thermometer and fast slow outside the dial, the said watch fitted into a bracelet of hair entwined with gold thread, in a red calfskin case." It was repaired, returned, and brought back again in 1855 for new keys. After that, all traces of the watch disappear. Today, No. 2639 is lost. No sketch, no engraving, no painting survives. Only the words in Breguet's archives remain to prove that the first wristwatch in history was a woman's idea, made by the greatest watchmaker who ever lived, for a queen.
The Modern Reine De Naples
In 2002, Breguet launched the Reine De Naples collection as a tribute to Caroline Murat's watch. Using the historical descriptions in the archives as their guide, Breguet's designers created a collection that reinterprets the aesthetic codes of No. 2639 for contemporary women. The oval (or "egg shaped") case echoes the original's oblong form. The off centred dial at six o'clock recalls the asymmetry of early Breguet pocket watches. The ball type lug at six o'clock, which connects the case to the strap, references the wristlet of hair and gold thread. And the small crown at four o'clock maintains the delicate proportions that make the Reine De Naples feel like jewellery first and a watch second.
Dial Artistry
The Reine De Naples dials are among the most artistically varied in Breguet's entire catalogue. Across the collection's history, they have featured guilloché mother of pearl, hand painted enamel, natural shell carved using the cameo technique, diamond paving, and the exclusive "Marea" wave pattern. The dial is the canvas on which Breguet expresses the collection's feminine character, and each reference offers a different interpretation. Some are intimate and understated. Others are lavish with gems. All maintain the clarity and legibility that Abraham Louis Breguet considered non negotiable.
Complications
Unlike most women's watch collections that rely on quartz movements and prioritise aesthetics over mechanics, the Reine De Naples has hosted genuine horological complications since its debut. The original 2002 model featured a moonphase. Subsequent references have included power reserve indicators, day and night displays, and even a striking mechanism that chimes at the top of every hour. The Reine De Naples Coœur (reference 9825) introduced a heart shaped minute hand that expands and contracts like a beating heart as it travels around the dial, a poetic mechanism that required years of development. This commitment to mechanical substance is what separates the Reine De Naples from virtually every other women's luxury watch: it treats its wearer as someone who deserves real watchmaking, not a decorative afterthought.
Materials and Sizing
The Reine De Naples is crafted in 18K gold (rose or white) and 950 platinum, often with diamond set bezels, flanges, and bracelets. The collection offers two primary sizes: a maxi size at approximately 43.75mm by 35.40mm (measured in the oval's longer and shorter axes) and a mini at approximately 33mm by 24.95mm. The oval shape means these millimetre numbers do not compare directly to round watches. The maxi Reine De Naples provides substantial wrist presence despite its feminine character, while the mini sits with the intimacy of a fine jewellery bracelet.
How the Reine De Naples Compares
Against the Cartier Panthère: both are jewellery first women's watches in precious metal. The Panthère is the stacking queen with its chain link bracelet and slim quartz profile. The Reine De Naples is mechanically serious, with complications and hand finished movements. The Panthère communicates fashion luxury. The Reine De Naples communicates horological depth. For a woman who wants both, they complement each other beautifully in a collection.
Against the Cartier Baignoire: both are oval cased women's watches in gold. The Baignoire (which means "bathtub" in French) has a cleaner, more minimal aesthetic. The Reine De Naples has more ornamental complexity and deeper complications. The Baignoire is Cartier's jewellery statement. The Reine De Naples is Breguet's horological one. Both are exceptional, but they speak different languages.
Against the Rolex Lady Datejust: completely different philosophies. The Lady Datejust is robust, recognisable, and investment safe. The Reine De Naples is artistic, historically significant, and mechanically adventurous. The Datejust is the watch the world recognises. The Reine De Naples is the watch that watchmakers recognise.
Buying Reine De Naples at Konesseur
Our Reine De Naples selection includes 4 authenticated pieces in precious metal with diamond setting. Every piece ships worldwide from our boutique at Box Park on Al Wasl Road, Dubai. The UAE's 5% VAT compared to European rates of 19% to 25% provides a meaningful advantage on gold and diamond watches at this level.
Browse the collection above, or explore the wider Breguet collection including the Classique, Marine, Heritage, and Tourbillon. For women exploring luxury watches beyond Breguet, our Cartier collection (including Panthère and Baignoire) and Rolex Datejust offer compelling alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Breguet Reine De Naples
Who was the Queen of Naples?
Caroline Murat, born Caroline Bonaparte in 1782, was the youngest sister of Napoleon Bonaparte. She married Joachim Murat and became Queen of Naples and Sicily from 1808 to 1815. She was Abraham Louis Breguet's most important client, purchasing thirty four timepieces between 1808 and 1814. On June 8th, 1810, she commissioned the first known wristwatch in history.
What was the first wristwatch?
Breguet No. 2639, commissioned by Caroline Murat on June 8th, 1810 and delivered on December 21st, 1812. It was an ultra thin repeating watch in an oblong gold case, mounted on a wristlet of hair entwined with gold thread. It featured a lever escapement, a minute repeater, and a thermometer. Seventeen craftsmen performed thirty four operations to complete it. The watch has been lost since 1855.
What makes the Reine De Naples different from other women's watches?
It is the only women's watch collection that traces its lineage to the invention of the wristwatch itself. Beyond heritage, the Reine De Naples treats its wearer as someone who deserves genuine mechanical watchmaking rather than decorative quartz. The collection has featured moonphase, power reserve, striking mechanisms, and even a beating heart complication, all in an oval case that is exclusively precious metal with hand finished dials.
Why is the case oval?
The oval (or "egg shaped") case pays tribute to the original No. 2639, which was described in Breguet's archives as "oblong" in form. The oblong shape was a practical choice for the first wristwatch: it sits more naturally on the wrist than a round case, particularly on a smaller wrist, and allowed Breguet to create an ultra thin watch that followed the arm's contour.
Is the Reine De Naples quartz or mechanical?
Mechanical. The Reine De Naples uses automatic and manual winding Breguet movements, not quartz. This is a deliberate choice that distinguishes the collection from many other women's luxury watches. Breguet believes the wearer deserves the same mechanical substance as any men's collection, and the Reine De Naples delivers that in every reference.
What complications does the Reine De Naples offer?
The collection has featured moonphase with day and night indication, power reserve, passing strike (chiming at the top of every hour), and the Coœur beating heart mechanism. Complications vary by reference, and the range extends from simple time displays with artistic dials to high complication pieces.
How does Reine De Naples compare to the Cartier Panthère?
The Cartier Panthère is a jewellery bracelet watch with quartz movement, designed for stacking. The Reine De Naples is a mechanical complication watch in an oval case, designed for women who value horological depth. The Panthère is more accessible in price and more versatile for everyday stacking. The Reine De Naples is more mechanically ambitious and historically significant. Both are exceptional women's watches that serve different purposes.
How does Reine De Naples compare to the Cartier Baignoire?
Both are oval cased women's watches in gold. The Baignoire has a cleaner, more minimal aesthetic and is available in strap and bangle configurations. The Reine De Naples has more ornamental complexity, deeper complications, and the heritage of descending from the first wristwatch. The Baignoire is Cartier's jewellery statement. The Reine De Naples is Breguet's mechanical one.
What sizes does the Reine De Naples come in?
Two primary sizes: maxi at approximately 43.75mm by 35.40mm and mini at approximately 33mm by 24.95mm (measured along the oval's longer and shorter axes). The oval shape provides more wrist presence than a round watch of equivalent diameter. The maxi suits women who prefer substantial watches. The mini provides intimate, jewellery like proportions.
Is the Reine De Naples a good gift?
The Reine De Naples is one of the most meaningful luxury watch gifts for a woman who appreciates history and craft. It is a watch that begins a conversation about the first wristwatch, about a queen who imagined something unprecedented, and about the greatest watchmaker in history who brought it to life. That narrative depth, combined with precious materials and genuine mechanical substance, creates a gift that transcends the object itself.
Does Konesseur carry other women's Breguet watches?
Yes. Beyond the Reine De Naples, the Marine Dame offers a sportier Breguet for women, and certain Classique references in smaller sizes (30mm to 36mm) serve as elegant women's dress watches. For women's watches beyond Breguet, browse our Cartier and Rolex collections.
Why buy Reine De Naples in Dubai?
Dubai's 5% VAT compared to European rates of 19% to 25% provides substantial savings on gold and diamond watches. Every Reine De Naples is crafted in 18K gold or platinum with diamonds, making the tax differential significant. Konesseur offers authentication, same day delivery in Dubai, and worldwide shipping from our boutique at Box Park on Al Wasl Road.
Reine De Naples
The Woman Who Invented the Wristwatch
Caroline Murat was not merely a queen by marriage. She was a political force, a cultural patron, and by Breguet's own records, his most important client. Between 1808 and 1814, she purchased thirty four clocks and watches from the house, more than any other individual. Born Caroline Bonaparte in 1782, she married Joachim Murat in 1800 and became Queen of Naples when Napoleon appointed Murat to the throne in 1808. She was ambitious, intelligent, and had a genuine passion for horology that went beyond decoration.
Her commission on June 8th, 1810 was specific: she wanted a repeating watch designed to be worn on the wrist. At the time, this was unprecedented. Watches were carried in pockets. The idea of mounting one on a bracelet required Abraham Louis Breguet to rethink everything about how a watch could be constructed: the shape (oblong rather than round, to sit naturally against the wrist), the thickness (ultra thin, to avoid bulk), the attachment (a wristlet of hair and gold thread rather than a chain), and the complications (a minute repeater and thermometer in a package small enough for a woman's wrist). The result, Breguet No. 2639, was completed by seventeen craftsmen across thirty four operations and delivered on December 21st, 1812.
The watch's subsequent history is as remarkable as its creation. In 1849, Countess Rasponi (born Louise Murat, Caroline's youngest daughter) brought the watch to Breguet's workshop for repair. The register describes it in detail: "a very thin repeater watch No. 2639, silver dial, Arabic numerals, with thermometer and fast slow outside the dial, the said watch fitted into a bracelet of hair entwined with gold thread, in a red calfskin case." It was repaired, returned, and brought back again in 1855 for new keys. After that, all traces of the watch disappear. Today, No. 2639 is lost. No sketch, no engraving, no painting survives. Only the words in Breguet's archives remain to prove that the first wristwatch in history was a woman's idea, made by the greatest watchmaker who ever lived, for a queen.
The Modern Reine De Naples
In 2002, Breguet launched the Reine De Naples collection as a tribute to Caroline Murat's watch. Using the historical descriptions in the archives as their guide, Breguet's designers created a collection that reinterprets the aesthetic codes of No. 2639 for contemporary women. The oval (or "egg shaped") case echoes the original's oblong form. The off centred dial at six o'clock recalls the asymmetry of early Breguet pocket watches. The ball type lug at six o'clock, which connects the case to the strap, references the wristlet of hair and gold thread. And the small crown at four o'clock maintains the delicate proportions that make the Reine De Naples feel like jewellery first and a watch second.
Dial Artistry
The Reine De Naples dials are among the most artistically varied in Breguet's entire catalogue. Across the collection's history, they have featured guilloché mother of pearl, hand painted enamel, natural shell carved using the cameo technique, diamond paving, and the exclusive "Marea" wave pattern. The dial is the canvas on which Breguet expresses the collection's feminine character, and each reference offers a different interpretation. Some are intimate and understated. Others are lavish with gems. All maintain the clarity and legibility that Abraham Louis Breguet considered non negotiable.
Complications
Unlike most women's watch collections that rely on quartz movements and prioritise aesthetics over mechanics, the Reine De Naples has hosted genuine horological complications since its debut. The original 2002 model featured a moonphase. Subsequent references have included power reserve indicators, day and night displays, and even a striking mechanism that chimes at the top of every hour. The Reine De Naples Coœur (reference 9825) introduced a heart shaped minute hand that expands and contracts like a beating heart as it travels around the dial, a poetic mechanism that required years of development. This commitment to mechanical substance is what separates the Reine De Naples from virtually every other women's luxury watch: it treats its wearer as someone who deserves real watchmaking, not a decorative afterthought.
Materials and Sizing
The Reine De Naples is crafted in 18K gold (rose or white) and 950 platinum, often with diamond set bezels, flanges, and bracelets. The collection offers two primary sizes: a maxi size at approximately 43.75mm by 35.40mm (measured in the oval's longer and shorter axes) and a mini at approximately 33mm by 24.95mm. The oval shape means these millimetre numbers do not compare directly to round watches. The maxi Reine De Naples provides substantial wrist presence despite its feminine character, while the mini sits with the intimacy of a fine jewellery bracelet.
How the Reine De Naples Compares
Against the Cartier Panthère: both are jewellery first women's watches in precious metal. The Panthère is the stacking queen with its chain link bracelet and slim quartz profile. The Reine De Naples is mechanically serious, with complications and hand finished movements. The Panthère communicates fashion luxury. The Reine De Naples communicates horological depth. For a woman who wants both, they complement each other beautifully in a collection.
Against the Cartier Baignoire: both are oval cased women's watches in gold. The Baignoire (which means "bathtub" in French) has a cleaner, more minimal aesthetic. The Reine De Naples has more ornamental complexity and deeper complications. The Baignoire is Cartier's jewellery statement. The Reine De Naples is Breguet's horological one. Both are exceptional, but they speak different languages.
Against the Rolex Lady Datejust: completely different philosophies. The Lady Datejust is robust, recognisable, and investment safe. The Reine De Naples is artistic, historically significant, and mechanically adventurous. The Datejust is the watch the world recognises. The Reine De Naples is the watch that watchmakers recognise.
Buying Reine De Naples at Konesseur
Our Reine De Naples selection includes 4 authenticated pieces in precious metal with diamond setting. Every piece ships worldwide from our boutique at Box Park on Al Wasl Road, Dubai. The UAE's 5% VAT compared to European rates of 19% to 25% provides a meaningful advantage on gold and diamond watches at this level.
Browse the collection above, or explore the wider Breguet collection including the Classique, Marine, Heritage, and Tourbillon. For women exploring luxury watches beyond Breguet, our Cartier collection (including Panthère and Baignoire) and Rolex Datejust offer compelling alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Breguet Reine De Naples
Who was the Queen of Naples?
Caroline Murat, born Caroline Bonaparte in 1782, was the youngest sister of Napoleon Bonaparte. She married Joachim Murat and became Queen of Naples and Sicily from 1808 to 1815. She was Abraham Louis Breguet's most important client, purchasing thirty four timepieces between 1808 and 1814. On June 8th, 1810, she commissioned the first known wristwatch in history.
What was the first wristwatch?
Breguet No. 2639, commissioned by Caroline Murat on June 8th, 1810 and delivered on December 21st, 1812. It was an ultra thin repeating watch in an oblong gold case, mounted on a wristlet of hair entwined with gold thread. It featured a lever escapement, a minute repeater, and a thermometer. Seventeen craftsmen performed thirty four operations to complete it. The watch has been lost since 1855.
What makes the Reine De Naples different from other women's watches?
It is the only women's watch collection that traces its lineage to the invention of the wristwatch itself. Beyond heritage, the Reine De Naples treats its wearer as someone who deserves genuine mechanical watchmaking rather than decorative quartz. The collection has featured moonphase, power reserve, striking mechanisms, and even a beating heart complication, all in an oval case that is exclusively precious metal with hand finished dials.
Why is the case oval?
The oval (or "egg shaped") case pays tribute to the original No. 2639, which was described in Breguet's archives as "oblong" in form. The oblong shape was a practical choice for the first wristwatch: it sits more naturally on the wrist than a round case, particularly on a smaller wrist, and allowed Breguet to create an ultra thin watch that followed the arm's contour.
Is the Reine De Naples quartz or mechanical?
Mechanical. The Reine De Naples uses automatic and manual winding Breguet movements, not quartz. This is a deliberate choice that distinguishes the collection from many other women's luxury watches. Breguet believes the wearer deserves the same mechanical substance as any men's collection, and the Reine De Naples delivers that in every reference.
What complications does the Reine De Naples offer?
The collection has featured moonphase with day and night indication, power reserve, passing strike (chiming at the top of every hour), and the Coœur beating heart mechanism. Complications vary by reference, and the range extends from simple time displays with artistic dials to high complication pieces.
How does Reine De Naples compare to the Cartier Panthère?
The Cartier Panthère is a jewellery bracelet watch with quartz movement, designed for stacking. The Reine De Naples is a mechanical complication watch in an oval case, designed for women who value horological depth. The Panthère is more accessible in price and more versatile for everyday stacking. The Reine De Naples is more mechanically ambitious and historically significant. Both are exceptional women's watches that serve different purposes.
How does Reine De Naples compare to the Cartier Baignoire?
Both are oval cased women's watches in gold. The Baignoire has a cleaner, more minimal aesthetic and is available in strap and bangle configurations. The Reine De Naples has more ornamental complexity, deeper complications, and the heritage of descending from the first wristwatch. The Baignoire is Cartier's jewellery statement. The Reine De Naples is Breguet's mechanical one.
What sizes does the Reine De Naples come in?
Two primary sizes: maxi at approximately 43.75mm by 35.40mm and mini at approximately 33mm by 24.95mm (measured along the oval's longer and shorter axes). The oval shape provides more wrist presence than a round watch of equivalent diameter. The maxi suits women who prefer substantial watches. The mini provides intimate, jewellery like proportions.
Is the Reine De Naples a good gift?
The Reine De Naples is one of the most meaningful luxury watch gifts for a woman who appreciates history and craft. It is a watch that begins a conversation about the first wristwatch, about a queen who imagined something unprecedented, and about the greatest watchmaker in history who brought it to life. That narrative depth, combined with precious materials and genuine mechanical substance, creates a gift that transcends the object itself.
Does Konesseur carry other women's Breguet watches?
Yes. Beyond the Reine De Naples, the Marine Dame offers a sportier Breguet for women, and certain Classique references in smaller sizes (30mm to 36mm) serve as elegant women's dress watches. For women's watches beyond Breguet, browse our Cartier and Rolex collections.
Why buy Reine De Naples in Dubai?
Dubai's 5% VAT compared to European rates of 19% to 25% provides substantial savings on gold and diamond watches. Every Reine De Naples is crafted in 18K gold or platinum with diamonds, making the tax differential significant. Konesseur offers authentication, same day delivery in Dubai, and worldwide shipping from our boutique at Box Park on Al Wasl Road.