ROME: Jacob & Co x Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon is the first all-new timepiece of this partnership.
The idea - an engine on the wrist, was conceived by Bugatti and Jacob & Co as to how to reproduce the iconic Bugatti W16 engine in a timepiece with both requiring the highest degree of mechanical precision that combines beauty and performance in a unique way.
After almost a year of development, Jacob & Co can now present the Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon timepiece that's been designed to honour the Chiron and its quad-turbocharged W16 engine.
The case is inspired by the flowing lines of the Chiron and the movement, or “engine block,” intended to duplicate the W16 Bugatti engine, is placed under a massive sapphire crystal.
Pushing the right-hand crown of the timepiece, the engine comes to life – the crankshaft turns and the pistons pump up and down, just like a true internal combustion engine.
Two “turbochargers” (down from four in the actual Chiron engine) on the side of the engine block spin while the engine runs.
The movement is comprised of 578 components, amounting to the highest level of complication for the development team.
The top and sides of the watch also use sapphire crystal to make the details of the watch visible.
In the centre, is the engine block animation with the crankshaft has been deemed as one of the smallest and most complicated parts ever manufactured out of one solid steel piece.
The movement is completely suspended in four places, with what looks like the actual absorbers from the Chiron.
The movement is, in fact, floating inside the case, moving up and down. Framing the engine block are two “exhausts,” completing the engine theme of the design.
Beyond the flying tourbillon with the Jacob & Co logo, the only other branding anywhere on the front of the watch is the subtle EB logo on the engine compartment, where the crankshaft holds 16 pistons.
In 2019, Bugatti - together with Jacob & Co signed a partnership to create unique timepieces that are true to the spirit of both companies.
To inaugurate this partnership led by performance, two timepieces were created based on the Twin Turbo Furious and the Epic X Chrono which were directly inspired by the unique design of Bugatti hypercars.
