Simply Abu Dhabi VIII

Breguet anniversary: ‘Inside every woman is a queen...’ T he trip to the beautiful Gulf of Naples was in aid of a double celebration. It was the 200th anniversary of the first ever wristwatch, commissioned by Breguet for Carolina Murat, sister to Napoleon and Queen of Naples in 1830. The second celebration was the showcasing of the spectacular newReine deNaples, the luxury watchmaker’s ten-year special anniversary collection. The breathtaking Reine de Naples collection was revealed in an equally stunning setting, the Reggia di Capodimonte in Naples – the perfect location to first show a collection fit for royalty. The grand palace was formerly the summer residence and hunting lodge of the Kings of the two Sicilies, and was also called home by Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples herself. Presently it houses the National Museum of Capodimonte and an impressive art gallery. On Friday 5th October 2012, the Reggia de Capodimonte played host to Breguet CEOMarc AHayek as he revealed the Reine deNaples special anniversary collection to VIPs, friends of the brand and media. We were immersed into a journey though the history of the revolutionary Breguet brand. Breguet has always been favoured by royalty and key individuals in history: including CarolineMurat Queen of Naples, QueenMarie-Antoinette of France, theMarquise de Condorcet and Empress Josephine, to name just a few. So over 200 years ago, when Caroline Murat commissioned the first ever wristwatch it is no surprise that she choose Abraham-Louis Breguet to deliver, which he did in 1812 for a handsome fee of 5000 Francs. It took two years, the involvement of 17 highly skilled artisans and 34 operations to create this one-of-a-kind item from a vision. 200 years on, the extraordinary Breguet brand is still every bit as revolutionary. Marc AHayek then brought us back to the present and the next celebration, the 10 year anniversary of the wonderful Reine de Naples collection. With a distinct, beautifully feminine style, the Reine de Naples is Breguet's collection for women. It strives to and succeeds in keeping the original spirit of the first ever wristwatch, as well as demonstrating the perfect marriage of exquisite refinement and mechanical complexity. To mark this momentous double jubilee a new Reine de Naples special anniversary model was then unveiled. The geometry of the bridges, the oscillating weight and the decorations through the sapphire crystal back of the watch came together to form the image of a garden pavilion identical to that of the stately residences of CarolineMurat. The bezel and the snap of the watch alone are embellished with 28 brilliant cut diamonds and 27 blue sapphires. The silvered gold dial and its flange are paved with 233 brilliant cut diamonds, with the addition of 303 blue sapphires. This extravagance not only creates a subtle colour graduation, but also adds to the imposing, regal nature of this timeless piece. And that's not all. To complement the special anniversary wristwatch, a complete Reine de Naples jewellery set comprising of a breathtaking ring, a stunning pair of earrings, an elegant necklace and a spectacular tiara. Each of the remarkable pieces is in 950 platinum –the noblest and most resistant material found in jewellery today – and features a regal oval-blue sapphire surrounded by two ovoid rings paved with baguette-cut diamonds. That evening was the official Breguet soirée. We enjoyed non-alcoholic drinks on the rooftop of the superb Capri Palace, a boutique hotel of refined elegance that recalls, with arches, vaults and columns, an ancient Neapolitan palace of the 1700s. This was followed by the official Gala Dinner at the hotel's Restaurant l’Olivo, the only restaurant on the island to be awarded two Michelin stars. It was a fabulous evening of fantastic company withmany culinary and musical delights, perfectly ending the sublime day we’d had viewing the astonishing Reine de Naples collection. Saturday 6th October was our final day on the beautiful island of Capri. With all the unveiling and celebrating at the previous day's events, you would be forgiven for thinking that Breguet had done enough for its guests. However, the proceedings were far from over. Breguet truly spoilt us with an exquisite lunch at the Restaurant il Riccio, a spectacular waterside fish restaurant, one of the most-loved on Capri. It is situated just a few metres from the legendary Grotta Azzurra, the most famous of all Capri's tourist attractions. After lunch and just a few short steps down from the Restaurant il Riccio to the water’s edge, boats were waiting to take us on a sensational tour of the island. We lazed in the sunshine taking in the sights. There was la Grotta Azzurra, also known as the "Blue Grotto", with its crystal clear waters. Then came the Faraglioni: three spurs of rock that rise up out of the sea with a natural cavity large enough to allow the passage of our boat. Finally, we saw the Lighthouse of Punta Carena, an impressive construction that dominates the south-western coast of the island. My conclusion? It was a first rate trip from a first rate brand – simply unforgettable. Jordana Lynch certainly felt like royalty on her recent trip to the Gulf of Naples, courtesy of Breguet and Swatch Group.