Remember when Jacob & Co. and Bugatti first teamed up back in 2020 to create a watch that mimicked a Bugatti engine, complete with a suspension that did absolutely nothing useful? Yeah, we wrote about that piece of horological wizardry. Well, folks, they’re back at it again. This time, they’ve ditched the gimmicky suspension and focused on what really matters: a jaw-dropping engine design and a dial that could double as the dashboard of Bugatti’s latest beast, the Tourbillon.
First things first, let’s talk about the car that’s the muse for this timepiece. Named after the legendary watch complication, the Bugatti Tourbillon is the heir to the Veyron and Chiron thrones. These cars aren’t just status symbols; they are engineering masterpieces, pushing the boundaries of speed, power, and luxury.
Bugatti Veyron and Chiron
The Bugatti Veyron was a game-changer when it first hit the roads, boasting an 8.0-liter W16 engine with four turbochargers, capable of producing 1,001 horsepower. It was the first production car to exceed 250 mph, setting a benchmark for hypercars. Following in its tire tracks, the Bugatti Chiron took performance to an even higher level with its quad-turbocharged W16 engine delivering a staggering 1,479 horsepower. The Chiron also featured advanced aerodynamics and luxurious interiors, cementing Bugatti’s reputation for combining extreme performance with opulence.


Bugatti Tourbillon
Enter the Bugatti Tourbillon, the latest and greatest from the French automaker. It’s not just a car; it’s a marvel of modern engineering, boasting complexities and advancements that make gearheads weak at the knees. With its 8.3-liter naturally aspirated V16 engine, it produces an eye-watering 1.000 horsepower, capable of catapulting the car from 0 to 60 mph in 2 seconds. The top speed? 278 mph.

The design of the Bugatti Tourbillon is a futuristic blend of aggressive lines and aerodynamic curves, with a cockpit that feels more like the control room of a spaceship. Every element, from the advanced aerodynamics to the luxurious materials used in the interior, speaks to Bugatti’s relentless pursuit of perfection. The dashboard of the Tourbillon is where the car’s connection to watchmaking becomes most evident. It’s like someone took a skeleton watch and decided to drive it really, really fast. Crafted to Swiss watchmaking standards, it features intricate decorations, visible wheels and pinions, and jewel bearings—hallmarks of high-end horology. The genius behind these details? Movement designer Concepto, who also happens to craft the movements for Jacob & Co.’s Bugatti watches. Talk about a perfect partnership.

The Watch
Jacob & Co.’s latest creation doesn’t just nod to Bugatti’s hypercar; it reimagines it. The black-PVD titanium case is sleek and muscular, echoing the car’s robust bodywork and unique features like the front grille, side radiator inlets, and large sapphire side windows. Measuring a bold 52mm x 44mm, this watch isn’t for the faint-hearted, but hey, it’s still smaller than the Bugatti Chiron.

Peering through the various sapphire crystals, you’ll find a spectacular engine modeled after Bugatti’s latest bolide. This isn’t just any engine; it’s a V16 automaton that drives a display mirroring the car’s dashboard. The three-subdial layout, covered by a single sapphire crystal, is a marvel. On the left, a 30-second flying tourbillon performs a mesmerizing dance, its unique rotation speed making it the fastest tourbillon Jacob & Co. has ever created. In the center, a retrograde indication for the jumping hours and minutes replicates the rev counter and speedometer of the Bugatti. The third subdial displays the power reserve for both the time indication and the automaton, with a larger red hand indicating the 48-hour autonomy powered by two barrels.

The Bugatti Tourbillon’s engine automaton is an expressive miniature V16 engine block. Crafted from a single block of sapphire, it houses 16 titanium pistons driven by a single-axis crankshaft. This engine block automaton even has its own set of exhaust manifolds. Press the push-piece integrated into the crown, and the engine comes to life: the crankshaft turns, and the pistons pump up and down in a 20-second sequence. It’s a spectacle that will captivate any watch enthusiast.
Winding the four barrels is a breeze with the crown, which turns one way for the time mechanism and the other for the automaton. A flip-out bow on the case back allows for precise time setting. The hand-wound Jacob & Co. JCAM55 movement comprises an astounding 557 parts, operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour, and boasts a 48-hour power reserve for the timing side of the movement. The level of detail in this movement, encompassing both the timing side and the automaton, is nothing short of Haute Horlogerie.

One of the most notable changes in this new iteration is the absence of the previous model’s vertical-axis suspension, a feature that, while intriguing, served little practical purpose given the primary stresses on a watch occur on the x-axis. This time around, Jacob & Co. has focused on the essentials, retaining only the engine, and ensuring the dial’s design perfectly echoes the car’s dashboard.
An expensive gadget anda true piece of haute horlogerie
Let’s not kid ourselves: this watch is an expensive gadget, likely intended to complement the purchase of your Bugatti rather than to replace it. The sheer opulence and mechanical prowess of the Bugatti Tourbillon make it a statement piece, one that screams luxury and exclusivity. The watch will be limited to 150 pieces, with a price tag of 340.000 USD, a nice 10% tip to give when buying your brand new Bugatti Tourbillion!

Jacob & Co. and Bugatti have once again pushed the boundaries of what a watch can be. The Bugatti Tourbillon is not just a timepiece; it is a testament to the marriage of automotive and horological innovation. With its breathtaking design, intricate mechanics, and sheer audacity, this watch is a fitting tribute to the Bugatti Tourbillon car. While it may not be a practical addition to everyone’s collection, for those who can afford it, this watch offers a unique blend of precision, luxury, and engineering excellence that is truly unmatched.
In the grand symphony of luxury watchmaking and automotive engineering, the Bugatti Tourbillon by Jacob & Co. strikes a chord that resonates with the power and grace of a finely tuned engine, promising to be a timeless classic in its own right.