A Bugatti 16 on your wrist…

If Jacob & Co. watches aren’t known for their discreetness, one thing’s undeniable: They’re visually and mechanically spectacular. These tiny animations or movements that play music are mesmerizing… like it or not, but in terms of watchmaking, these are impressive pieces. That won’t change for the brand’s latest creation, which is actually a collaboration with the equally gorgeous automaker, Bugatti. Meet the new Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon with the animated W16 on your wrist (yes, really).

If you think an ultra-premium car is the all-in-one superlative car, it’s got to be a Bugatti. Fastest, most powerful, most exclusive… the brand’s latest model, the Chiron, is a dream machine with 1,500 horsepower from one of the largest engines on the market, capable of speeds of up to 260 mph and comfortable enough for your everyday Sedan envy. But it’s not a prototype, it’s functional, reliable, VW-tested engineering. With such a pedigree, what other watch could match it?

There is an undeniable connection between automobiles and watchmaking, as both fields rely on mechanical engines to drive wheels or hands. These objects of passion are often shared by the same people, but it is difficult for a watch to recreate the style of a car engine, much less the visceral feel of the iconic Bugatti 16-cylinder engine. Well, until Jacob & Co. developed the Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon. In fact, it’s a watch, it tells the time, it’s regulated by a one-minute tourbillon…it has an automatic that replicates the Chiron’s engine.

So while the engine doesn’t have a timekeeping function and is just for show, there’s something fascinating about its movement. Depress the crown on the right side of the watch, and as the crankshaft turns and the pistons pump up and down, the engine kicks in, just like a real internal combustion engine. Two turbochargers on one side of the engine block (instead of four in the Chiron) spin while the engine is running, adding to the visual impact. Encased in a sapphire block, the tiny engine and crankshaft, made from a solid piece of steel, is one of the smallest and most complex watch parts the brand has ever produced.

The case of the Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon is large and surrounded by sapphire crystals, allowing a better view of the movement. It pays homage to the car it’s named after in a number of ways, including the horseshoe-shaped front grille. The case is made of titanium. The “back” of the case is also an ode to the automotive world, boasting three crowns: the left crown sets the time, the middle crown the movement (60 hour power reserve) and animated winding, and a push button right hand crown to start animation.

In addition to animation, the Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon also tells time, its movement regulated by a 1-minute tilting tourbillon pointing in front of the wearer. The movement, once again a reference in the automotive world, is suspended in the case in four positions with shock absorbers. While it looks cool, this up and down movement has its own problems, as it means creating (and patenting) a special automotive-style lateral system so that the crown posts are not damaged by the movement of the movement . The final touch is the power reserve at 3 o’clock, shaped like a fuel gauge…

The Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon comes with a vented black rubber strap and titanium deployant clasp.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – JACOB & CO. BUGATTI CHIRON TOURBILLON
Case: 54mm x 44mm x 20mm – Titanium – Sapphire crystal front and case back – Black titanium DLC crown and pushers – 30m water resistance
Displays: Hours, Minutes – 1 Minute Tourbillon cage 30° tilted – W16 engine in sapphire block, animation on demand (right button) creates rotation of pistons and crankshaft – Power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock
Movement: Caliber JCAM37, Proprietary – Manual winding – 41.7mm x 36mm x 15.60mm – 578 components – 51 jewels – 21,600 vibrations/hour – 60 hours power reserve
Strap: Black Rubber – Titanium Deploy Clasp
Ref: AF321.40.BA.AD.ABSA