Last year, Bugatti and Jacob & Co. signed a multi-year partnership to create never-before-seen timepieces that are true to the spirit of both companies. Together they are taking watchmaking to uncharted realms. To launch this partnership two timepieces were created. Based on the Twin Turbo Furious and the Epic X Chrono, these watches were directly inspired by the unique design of Bugatti hypercars. This year, Jacob & Co. and Bugatti are introducing new watches in the Twin Turbo Furious collection, and the Bugatti Chiron, a completely new line.

The newest timepiece is the world’s first true engine on the wrist. It started with an idea conceived by Jacob & Co. together with Bugatti on how to reproduce the iconic Bugatti 16-cylinder engine in a watch. After almost a full year of development the idea has come to life—the $280,000 Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon is here. 

The case is inspired by the flowing lines of the Chiron while the movement is intended to duplicate the Bugatti engine. When you push the right-hand crown of the timepiece the engine comes to life—the crankshaft turns and the pistons pump up and down, just like a true internal combustion engine. Two “turbochargers” (down from four in the actual Chiron engine) on the side of the engine block spin while the engine runs. 

The top and sides of the watch are sapphire crystal, making every single facet of the watch visible, but the real gem is the engine block animation. The crankshaft driving this is one of the smallest and most complicated watch parts ever manufactured, made out of one solid steel piece. The pistons are mounted onto the crankshaft at varying angles to maximize the show. The movement is, in fact, floating inside the case—you can see it move up and down inside. Framing the engine block are two “exhausts,” completing the engine theme of the design. 

The window to the tourbillon is modeled after the iconic horseshoe grill of Bugatti hypercars. The crowns for the watch are at the bottom of the case—the left crown sets the time, the middle crown winds both the movement (60 hours of power reserve) and the animation, and a push of the right-hand crown starts the animation. To top it off, the power reserve indication even has the universal gas pump symbol on the side of the gauge at three o’clock. 

The Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon timepiece is truly an engineering and design masterpiece for your wrist.