The Bugatti and Jacob & Co. collaboration has been a multi-year partnership since 2019. Based on the Twin Turbo Furious and the Epic X Chrono, these watches were directly inspired by the unique design and spirit of Bugatti hypercars. These watches are true to the spirit of both companies while taking watchmaking to impossible heights, and the latest timepiece isn’t an exception to it. The New York watchmaker has just unveiled a new high-complication tourbillon inspired by the high-powered Bugatti Chiron.
Similar to its predecessors, the Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon Baguette Black and Orange Sapphires model houses a functional miniature reproduction of the Chiron’s W16-cylinder engine to please petrolheads. However, it doubles down on the bling. This iteration features no less than 190 baguette white diamonds, 109 baguette black sapphires, and 42 baguette orange sapphires, which are all invisibly set in the 18K white gold tonneau case. According to the brand, the gem-setters used new proprietary techniques and advanced technologies to affix the rare stones properly.
The case of this magnificent timepiece measures 55mm by 44mm with the same flowing lines of the Chiron and a number of Bugatti logos. Apart from the logos, the timepiece also mimics the real-life Chiron’s 8.0-liter 16-cylinder engine capable of delivering a menacing 1,500 horses. Push the right-hand crown of the timepiece, and the engine roars to life with 16 tiny pistons and a minuscule solid steel crankshaft moving up and down just like a regular mill. Two “turbochargers” (down from four in the actual Chiron engine) on the side of the engine block spin while the engine runs, adding to the visual impact. The crowns for the watch are on the back of the case – the left crown sets the time, the middle crown winds both the movement and the animation, and a push of the right-hand crown starts the animation.
The watch is equipped with Jacob & Co.’s JCAM37 manual winding movement that comprises some 578 components. The Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon is something no one has ever even attempted before that is seamlessly married engines and watches. Actualizing the hypercar further, the movement is suspended in four places with parts that are clearly visible through the sapphire crystal window. The suspension of the movement caused an additional challenge for the movement designers, as they had to create (and patent) a special automotive-style jointed transverse system so the crown posts aren’t damaged by the movement going up and down inside the case. The movement has a 60-hour power reserve that is indicated by the universal gas pump symbol on the side of the gauge at nine o’clock. The power reserves for the animation and the power reserve for timekeeping are different. Yet, both are wound through the winding crown, clockwise for the movement, counter-clockwise for the engine animation.
The Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon from Jacob & Co. is a world-first — a true engine on the wrist. While last year’s Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon was priced at $280,000 with only 250 examples, this year, the model is priced at a whopping $560,000 – still cheaper than a real Chiron!
