Bugatti 16-cylinder engine on your wrist…
If Jacob & Co. watches are not known for being discreet, then one thing is undeniable: they are both visually and mechanically spectacular. These miniature animations or actions that play music are fascinating…like it or not, but as far as watchmaking is concerned, these are impressive works. The latest creation of the brand is actually a collaboration with the equally gorgeous automaker Bugatti and will not change. Meet the new Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon, with an animated W16 on your wrist (yes, really).
If you think of a super high-end car, the most advanced car that can accumulate all possible, this must be Bugatti. The fastest, most powerful, most unique… The brand’s latest model, Chiron, is a dream machine with 1,500bhp, one of the largest engines on the market, capable of driving at 260 mph, so comfortable , Your daily car will be jealous. But this is not a prototype, but a fully functional, reliable, and popular-tested project. With this pedigree, what kind of watch can match it?
There is an undeniable link between automation and watchmaking, because both fields rely on mechanical engines to drive wheels or hands. These passionate objects are often shared by the same person, but it is difficult for a watch to reproduce the style of a car engine, let alone the heartfelt feel of the iconic Bugatti 16-cylinder engine. Well, until Jacob & Co. developed the Bugatti Chiron tourbillon. In fact, it is a watch. It displays the time. It is adjusted by a one-minute tourbillon… It is characterized by an automaton that can replicate the Chiron engine.
So although this engine does not have a timing function, it is just for demonstration, but there are some fascinating things in its movement. Push the right crown of the timepiece, as the crankshaft rotates and the pistons are pumped up and down, just like a real internal combustion engine, the engine starts to run. When the engine is running, the two turbochargers on the side of the engine block (instead of the four in the Chiron) increase the visual impact. The miniature engine is housed in a sapphire block and the crankshaft is made of a solid steel. It is one of the smallest and most complex watch parts ever made by the brand.
The case of the Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon is large, surrounded by sapphire crystals, allowing people to see the movement. It pays tribute to the car named after it in a variety of ways, including a horseshoe-shaped front grille. The case is made of titanium. The “back” of the case is also an ode to the automotive world. There are three crowns: the left crown sets the time, the middle crown winds the movement (60-hour power reserve) and animation at the same time, press the right hand crown to start the animation.
In addition to the animation, the Bugatti Chiron tourbillon also indicates the time and has a movement that is adjusted by a 1-minute tilting tourbillon pointing in front of the wearer. The movement once again serves as a reference in the automotive world, suspended in four positions on the case through shock absorbers. Although it looks cool, this up-and-down movement has its own problems, because it means creating (and applying for a patent) a special car-like lateral system so that the crown column will not be damaged by the movement of the movement. . The last point is the power reserve at 3 o’clock, which is shaped like a fuel gauge…
Technical Specifications-JACOB & CO. BUGATTI CHIRON TOURBILLON
Case: 54mm x 44mm x 20mm-Titanium-Sapphire crystal front and back cover-Black titanium alloy DLC crown and buttons-30 meters water resistance
Display: hours, minutes-1 minute tourbillon frame 30° tilt-W16 engine in the sapphire block, animation on demand (button on the right) creates rotation of the piston and crankshaft-power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock
Movement: Calibre 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 folding clasp
Reference: AF321.40.BA.AD.ABSAA