Shell Sculpture
Breguet’s timepieces mark time with their Boutstanding technical ability that is associated with the brand’s finest hours for more than 230 years. A unique piece, the Reine de Naples Cammea watch honours the craft tradition of cameo work, the world capital of which, Torre del Greco, is located in the region of Naples.
The cameo dial of the Reine de Naples 8958 - a world first - is a true miniature sculpted on shell. The hours and minutes hands, off-centre at 6 o’clock, seem intent on vanishing discreetly from the stage so as to leave all the glory to the art of the cameo. The case in white gold set with diamonds protects the delicacy of the relief beneath a sapphire-crystal glass. Its transparent back reveals a gold winding rotor engine-turned by hand and inlaid with natural mother-of-pearl. The watch is presented on a chocolate-coloured strap in alligator leather with a diamond-set folding clasp. And it is water resistant to 30 metres.
A work of engraving in high relief on materials having strata of contrasting colours, the cameo is one of the world’s most amazing craft activities where the frontiers with art are extremely fine. Originally done on such hardstones as sard or cornelian, cameos are also produced on shells. Using a simple steel stylus, the craftsman works on the different layers of shell to a depth of hardly two millimetres, creating a sculpture of uncommon delicacy. To achieve this he selects and examines with care the hues, the stratification, the perspectives, the gradations and the total effect of transparency inherent in the shell.
Montres Breguet honours this artistic vocation.
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