A closer look at the Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon
Can you name another watch with a replica of the iconic 16-cylinder internal combustion engine? We don’t think so.
Since 1909, the French car manufacturer Bugatti has been obsessed with the pursuit of speed and perfection. Its first road car, the Type 13, was born in 1910. It was the epitome of high technology at the time. It was equipped with the world’s first 16-valve header-most road cars were equipped with an 8-valve engine-with a maximum speed of 125 per hour. Kilometers per hour (78 miles per hour). Type 13 even won second place in the 1911 Le Mans French Grand Prix.
Today, Bugatti produces less than 100 cars a year by hand at its headquarters in Morsheim, France. Its iconic model is the Chiron, a 420 km/h (261 mph) super sports car powered by a four-turbocharged W16 engine that produces 1,479 horsepower. With such a powerful machine, even the most complicated timepiece can be worth the money.
Jacobs and Bugatti
Jacob & Co. and Bugatti share a passion for developing some of the most unique and innovative products in the world. From watchmaking to super sports cars, the two brands recently reached a multi-year collaboration to develop a special edition Jacob & Co. x Bugatti timepiece.
The first results of this collaboration are Jacob & Co. Twin Turbo Furious and Epic X Chronograph. Both draw design inspiration from Bugatti’s work. Today, Watchonista carefully studied the new Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon.
The W16 engine automaton is activated by the crown on the right side of the timepiece. Once started, the mini W16 engine will move directionally in a perfect sequence through a fully operating crankshaft, turbocharger and 16 pistons.
Jacob & Co.’s manual winding JCAM37 manufacturing movement is suspended inside the four pivot points of a 54 x 44 mm case-the blue titanium and rose gold model in the picture-and is equipped with a flying tourbillon. The positioning of the movement replicates the effect of the car’s suspension and culminates with two “exhaust devices” at 6 o’clock. At the same time, the 30º inclination of the tourbillon is based on the horseshoe grille of a Bugatti supercar.
The entire timepiece is operated by three crowns at the bottom of the case. The left crown sets the time; the middle winding 60-hour power reserve and animation, the right crown starts the animation. Finally, the power reserve indicator is the air pump symbol at 9 o’clock.
Personally, this watch is as crazy as you think. As you can see in the video, the operation of the miniature W16 engine is impressive. The Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron tourbillon has a deterrent effect on the wrist—just like the respect the Bugatti Chiron supercar has earned on the road.