The Bugatti x Jacob & Co. Chiron Tourbillon Hides a Working 16-Cylinder Engine

Jacob & Co.‘s latest collaborative watch showcases the watchmaker’s tenacity for making timepieces that straddle both the world of engineering and art. Joined by Bugatti, the Jacob & Co. Chiron Tourbillon translates the $3 million USD Chiron hypercar in wristwatch form.

The watch takes on a similar large tonneau shape design like the previous 110-year anniversary Twin Turbo Furious edition watch, but rather than the twin triple-axis tourbillons, the new watch elects for a single angled tourbillon (visible through a horseshoe “grille”) at the 12 o’clock position. The highlight of the watch arrives in the form of a miniature sapphire W16 engine block that has a fully-functioning crankshaft joined to moving pistons. With the engaging of the right pusher, the engine comes to life with all 16 pistons firing for 20 seconds. When fully “fueled” this complication can be activated three times.

Furthering the Chiron theme are details like spinning turbos at the side of the case that spins when the engine function is pushed, a fuel gauge, and a baseplate that mounted to a shock-absorbing suspension system. Making sure that the crown stem is able to move with the suspended movement, a special Cardan “driveshaft” stem was developed. Priced at $280,000 USD, each Bugatti x Jacob & Co. Chiron Tourbillon watch is made to order so that that owner can customize the watch to match their car.

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