Jacob & Co.’s Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon Orange Sapphire Crystal: An Engine on Your Wrist? It all started with a concept that Jacob & Co. developed in partnership with Bugatti: to recreate the sensation of a famous Bugatti 16-cylinder engine in a wristwatch.

The Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon took almost a year to develop, and the answer was finally found. In the watch, everything is done to glorify the Chiron. The case design is inspired by the Chiron’s flowing lines, while the movement or “engine block” is designed to replicate Bugatti’s engine and is housed behind a massive sapphire crystal for all to see.

What’s the history?
In 2019, Bugatti and Jacob & Co. announced a multi-year collaboration to create unique, never-before-seen timepieces. These timepieces embody the spirit of both organizations while taking watchmaking to new heights.

To kick off this performance-oriented partnership, Jacob & Co. has unveiled two watches. The look and spirit of Bugatti's super sports cars are directly inspired by these watches, which are based on the Twin Turbo Furious and Epic X Chrono. Jacob & Co. and Bugatti unveiled the Twin Turbo Furious watches in 2020, along with the new collection, the Bugatti Chiron.

Engine Animation
Press the crown on the right side of the watch and the engine starts to run: the crankshaft spins and the 16 pistons pump up and down, just like a real internal combustion engine. As the engine runs, the two "turbochargers" on the side of the engine block spin (there are two on the actual Chiron engine, but the number has been reduced), adding to the visual impact.

The Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon achieves something unprecedented: a perfect fusion of engine and watch.

About the Tourbillon
The Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon features a 30-degree tilted tourbillon, a first for Jacob & Co. The "flying" part of the tourbillon means that the regulating organ is supported on only one side, which makes it even more fascinating. The 30-degree tilt makes it easier to appreciate this amazing feat of engineering.

Thanks to what appear to be genuine Chiron shock absorbers, the movement comes to a complete stop in four positions. The movement is clearly visible inside the case and can be seen moving up and down. Two “exhaust ports” form the engine block, completing the engine concept of the design.

The animation and chronograph power reserve are separate, although both are wound via the winding crown, clockwise for the movement and counterclockwise for the engine animation. The universal gas pump logo is even located on the side of the instrument at nine o’clock on the chronograph power reserve indication.

The crowns of the watch are located on the bottom of the case: the left crown sets the time, the middle crown winds the movement and animation (60-hour power reserve), and the right crown starts the animation.

The suspension of the movement was another challenge for the designers, who had to devise (and patent) a unique automotive-style lateral articulation system to prevent the crown pillars from being damaged as the movement rises and descends inside the case.

The crystal case
One of the pinnacles of fine watchmaking is a case made entirely of colored sapphire crystal. The Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon Sapphire Crystal is the result of months of computer-aided design, manufacturing, and hand-polishing. It is a difficult and multifaceted project that takes months to complete. To be made with orange sapphire crystal, it is several levels more unique and difficult.

For example, the tonneau-shaped Chiron case is made up of multiple geometric surfaces rather than a single one. Then there is the hardness of sapphire. On the Mohs scale, sapphire is a 9. Few materials are harder than diamond, which is a 10. As a result, the case is made using diamond cutting and polishing equipment. Creating a case with the same proportions and transparency as the Chiron is both expensive and time-consuming, but it is absolutely necessary.

The sapphire crystal starts out as a powder, which is heated to extremely high temperatures and then grown into a large, round sapphire raw piece, the size and shape of a coffee can. This process can take anywhere from three to fifteen days to complete. This huge piece of sapphire is carved into thin slices that will become the case of the Bugatti Chiron. The piece is machined and polished by hand.

The Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon by Jacob & Co. is a world first: a real engine on your wrist!