Jacob & Co Unleashes the £270,000 Bugatti Tourbillon Timepiece

Luxury watchmaker Jacob & Co partnered with Bugatti to create the Bugatti Tourbillon, a limited edition timepiece inspired by Bugatti’s latest hypersports car of the same name. This marks the second collaboration between these two prestigious brands, known for pushing the boundaries of design, engineering, and luxury.

“Jacob & Co is ushering in a new age of car watchmaking,” says Benjamin Arabov, Jacob & Co’s CEO. “We’re building up on the incredible success of our Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon timepiece and on a shared frame of mind with Bugatti automobiles. This high complication, high octane watch sets the highest bar for innovation, design integration and exhilarating watchmaking.”

The 52x44mm watch case of the Tourbillon mirrors the sculpted form of the car’s body, with design elements such as the front grille, side radiator inlets, and large sapphire side openings reflecting iconic features. This visual connection extends beyond the case. The timepiece boasts a visible engine block showcasing 16 pistons and a 30-second tourbillon — the fastest ever created by Jacob & Co.

“Working closely with Bugatti is an exciting experience,” says Jacob Arabo, Jacob & Co founder and chairman. “I live to push watchmaking to new levels, coming up with designs and complications that no one had even dreamed about. Bugattis are the same. They push everything beyond what everyone thinks is the limit. The Bugatti Tourbillon is our most advanced timepiece, the great achievement of a great partnership.”

In January 2023, Jacob & Co began collaborating with Bugatti’s design team, resulting in a seamless integration of car and watch design, culminating 18 months later in the Bugatti Tourbillon, an innovative synergy between two of the world’s most luxurious brands. “We have taken great inspiration from watchmaking, both in terms of materiality and complexity,” says Mate Rimac, Bugatti CEO. “In the interior, we opted for a very transparent design that allows a view of the technical details and emphasises the precision craftsmanship and exclusivity of the vehicle. It’s like a very high-quality watch where you can see the movement. In the art of watchmaking, the Tourbillon is known to represent the highest form of complication, and this is exactly what we want to show with the Bugatti Tourbillon.”

The Jacob & Co Bugatti Tourbillon isn’t just visually striking; it’s a technical tour de force. The complex movement powering the watch boasts 557 components, reflecting the intricate craftsmanship involved. The visible engine block is a remarkable feat of miniaturisation. Further adding to the technical prowess, the timepiece features a unique jumping retrograde timekeeping system, where the hands jump back to zero after completing their cycle, mimicking an RPM counter.

Mirroring the exclusivity of the £3.2 million, 1,800hp Bugatti Tourbillon car, the watch’s production is limited to 250 pieces. The first iteration, in black DLC titanium, is limited to 150 pieces. The remaining 100 pieces will allow Jacob & Co to apply its mastery of coloured and precious materials to the Bugatti Tourbillon.

This exclusivity and the price tag of $340,000 (£270,000), combined with the intricate design and technical advancements, makes the Jacob & Co Bugatti Tourbillon a desirable collector’s item for watch enthusiasts and Bugatti aficionados alike.