Today, I would like to talk to you about the rebirth of a brand that once gave me a passion for mechanics and the discovery of original complications. As you may have detected, I am going to talk about the brand Breva. Before discussing the model with which this brand makes its grand return, let me refresh your memory about this brand and tell you about Julien Haenny, a man ready to brave the storm to restore the honor of this once-promising brand.
Breva’s story begins on a summer evening in 2010. A young entrepreneur, Vincent Dupontreué, while traveling along the shores of Lake Como in northern Italy—captivated by the magic of these historic, charming places—dreamed of a different watch, one capable of combining time reading with additional information to better understand natural elements. It was at that time that he discovered “La Breva,” the warm southern wind coming from the mountains that contributes to the pleasantly mild microclimate of Lake Como, bestowing a sense of freedom and mystery. Appreciated by sailing enthusiasts, it is born from the natural thermal effects of the lakeside environment and enlivens the entire region. Propelled by this initiative, three models were released before the brand ceased in 2015: the Génie 01 equipped with a meteorological barometer and an altimeter, the Génie 02 featuring a high-precision mechanical altimeter, and the Génie 03 equipped with a retractable speedometer.
At the end of 2024, Julien Haenny revived this brand that had potential but was too niche to sustain itself. To revisit his background, Julien Haenny grew up immersed in the scent of oil and the sound of gears in his grandfather’s Zenith workshop in Le Locle. Over the years, he gravitated toward watchmaking to follow his family legacy. His career of over 20 years has allowed him to acquire a comprehensive vision of horology, both in terms of creation and development as well as strategic and commercial challenges. Having started at Hugo Boss, Julien Haenny served as CEO of Anonimo and Vulcain, held leadership roles at MGI Luxury Group, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and TechnoMarine, and was also Head of Marketing & Communication at HYT. By combining marketing, communication, distribution, and product development, Julien Haenny has acquired a versatile and global vision that enables him to address every aspect of watchmaking with a deep sensitivity to authenticity and innovation to revive this brand.
Julien Haenny knows the market very well and aims to bring greater proximity between his brand and those who orbit the world of horology, such as collectors and retailers. His vision is clear: to revive a universe of luxury and refinement inspired by the timeless elegance of Lake Como. To that end, he will reinterpret complications in the Breva style. He begins this new chapter by presenting the Breva Segreto di Lario. But why this name? “Segreto di Lario” (“the secrets of Lake Como” in Italian) echoes the seventh day, evoking a timeless journey during which one loses all sense of duration and fully savours the Dolce Vita of this region. Like an everlasting interlude dedicated to pleasure and beauty, these secluded places embody the timeless beauty and discreet elegance of the lake. They resonate in perfect harmony with the spirit of this model. Now, let us move on to the presentation of this watch.
Table of Contents – Breva Segreto di Lario Rose Gold
What are the features of the Breva Segreto di Lario Rose Gold?
Case
The Breva Segreto di Lario Rose Gold features a cushion-shaped case crafted in 18k Rose Gold 5N+ by Aurélien Bouchet (AB Concept). Measuring 41 mm in diameter with an 11 mm thickness, this case presents a tiered design, topped with a domed sapphire crystal. A polished, domed ring leads to another curved surface with a circular grain that forms this complex bezel. Fixed to the central case, it creates a striking contrast with the satin-finished parts. I can only commend the construction of this case, which is an excellent mix of a vintage form and a very well-executed design and manufacture.
Dial
The Breva Segreto di Lario Rose Gold is adorned with a dial designed by EDGE Design, led by Fabrice Gonet and Olivier Leu, and manufactured by Romeo Granito (Cadranor). With a magnificent satin blue evoking the colours of Lake Como and an inclined periphery, the dial features a section cut from approximately 4:30 to 7:30 to reveal what appears to be the movement’s baseplate. In fact, it is an applique located on the back of the baseplate. This baseplate is exquisitely finished with a Geneva stripe on its rhodium-plated surface and diamond-polished bevels.
The dial stands out with its original display featuring central hours and minutes, a retrograde seconds indicator at 12 o’clock, and a dual retrograde display of the power reserve in the lower part of the dial. This power reserve is indicated by two retrograde hands: one shows the first 6 days, while the other indicates the last 24 hours for a more detailed and precise reading of the remaining energy. Moreover, the hands, manufactured by GMG Composants, also attest to exceptional craftsmanship. The precision with which they are designed achieves a perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality. Each finely crafted hand adds a dimension of fluidity and lightness to the overall watch.
This visually appealing layout provides enhanced legibility of the final 24 hours, even if you do not necessarily need to check the remaining power reserve. In general, it is advised not to wait until the power reserve is exhausted before winding your watch. Indeed, when the mainspring unwinds, it tends to deliver less constant power and torque to the regulator. Watches generally perform better when the mainspring is at mid-tension or at its maximum tension.
Movement
The Breva Segreto di Lario Rose Gold houses a manually wound movement created exclusively for Breva by the talented master watchmaker Jean-François Mojon (Chronode), based on their C101 movement. Engaging Jean-François Mojon was, I believe, an obvious choice given his involvement in the early life of the brand with the Genie models.
Equipped with two barrels for an oscillation frequency of 3 Hz, this 29-jewel movement boasts excellent precision and a 7-day power reserve. Featuring elegant finishes, the movement is visible through the case back and highlights traditional techniques with vertical Geneva stripes, a sanded case back, a circular satin finish, polished bevels, and a wind rose engraved on one of the barrels.
Strap
The Breva Segreto di Lario Rose Gold is delivered with an alligator leather strap manufactured by Cinturini in the Turinese countryside, Italy. Closed by an 18k Rose Gold 5N+ tang buckle, the strap—comfortably hand-stitched—perfectly hugs the case, although I might have preferred a strap positioned between the lower lugs to accentuate the refined and elegant side of the watch.
What is the price of the Breva Segreto di Lario Rose Gold?
The Breva Segreto di Lario Rose Gold is issued in a limited edition of 25 pieces at a price of 58,000 CHF (Excluding Taxes).
Breva Segreto di Lario Rose Gold: A Watch that Embodies Dolce Vita
The Breva Segreto di Lario Rose Gold is a watch that I truly appreciated for both its aesthetics and its complications. It brings something extra to the industry by offering a timepiece immersed in a dreamlike universe. This watch perfectly embodies the classic codes of elegance—refinement to be enjoyed daily, a discreet watch that never goes unnoticed. A luxury for oneself, a mark of quality for those who understand.
I love that this initiative highlights the behind-the-scenes suppliers who make it possible to create pieces born from a distant imagination. The Breva brand aims to produce 200 pieces, which is ideal for working within a universe without losing the essence of the brand—a nod to the majestic villas, sumptuous gardens, and sparkling waters that have symbolized Lake Como for decades. A cinematic charm, attracting the most glamorous and influential personalities in the world. Breva draws inspiration from this rare beauty to imagine watches that reveal their splendor through subtlety and finesse. The brand’s creations celebrate this art of living, marked by sophistication and discretion.
I’d like to thank Julien Haenny for providing me with this piece. I truly hope that the upcoming watches will follow the same philosophy as this first model. Creating adventure watches with impressive complications in fragile, collector-style cases didn’t gain much success at the time — let’s hope this new approach strikes the right balance.
Breva Segreto di Lario Rose Gold – Watch Specifications
- Brand: Breva
- Model: Segreto di Lario Rose Gold
- Case Material: 18k Rose Gold 5N+
- Dial: Blue Central Satin-finished / Vertical Côtes de Genève
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Rotational Seconds, Power Reserve Indicator
- Movement: C101 Based, Exclusively Developed by Chronode , Manual-Winding, 28’800vph frequency (3Hz), 29 jewels
- Power Reserve: 7 Days
- Water Resistance: 5 ATM
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Caseback: Sapphire
- Case Dimension: 41 mm (Diameter) × 11 mm (Thickness)
- Strap: Handmade Blue Alligator with 18k Rose Gold 5N+ Pin Buckle
- Availability : Limited Edition of 25 Pieces
- Retail Price: CHF 58,000 (excluding VAT)
What do you think of this brand relaunch? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
For more information about Breva, click here.
