The Low-Down
It was way back in 2004 that the actress Catherine Zeta-Jones famously remarked to a packed courtroom: “To us, $1 million is not a lot of money.”
So 18 years later it is clear – blue sapphire crystal clear to be exact – that at 1.5 million dollars, the Jacob & Co Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon Blue Sapphire Crystal unique piece represents outstanding value for money.
Jacob & Co. together with Bugatti spent almost a year developing this unique timepiece that reproduces the thrilling sensation of the iconic Bugatti 16-cylinder engine. When the automation is activated by the push start crown, the “engine” springs into life with its 16 pistons pumping and two turbochargers spinning. Indeed, there isn’t a spare millimetre of this watch which hasn’t been pushed to the max in terms of quality, concept, creativity, performance and craftsmanship.
First of all, there’s the mightily impressive blue sapphire crystal case. Speak to anyone involved in producing sapphire crystal and you will be told frequently, ‘it’s complicated’. It begins as a powder to which no less than a set of 17 difficult to mine metallic elements are mixed and added to achieve the perfect blue tint.
Next to diamonds, it’s the hardest substance to cut and polish. The only thing that can cut and shape it is diamonds, only the right kind of diamonds for each part of the exacting process, which can easily result in a broken case. Adding color to the sapphire crystal complicates the process of creating the Bugatti Chiron case further.
The process perfected for the Jacob & Co Chiron sapphire crystal casing has taken years to perfect, but to this day, the final part of the polishing process still has to be undertaken by humans.
Underneath this sleek tonneau shaped sapphire crystal hood, every aspect of the watch is inspired by the Bugatti Chiron. Thanks to full transparency, every part of the 578 hand-decorated and hand-assembled components of the JCAM37 manual wound caliber is on view. The movement is completely suspended in four places, with look alike automobile shocks from the Chiron. The movement is, in fact, floating inside the case.
The Bugatti Chiron Blue Sapphire Crystal also features an inclined tourbillon, the first time Jacob & Co has ever used one. The 30º inclination makes it easier to admire through the replica of the Bugatti horseshoe-shaped grille.
In another clever Bugatti Chiron twist, the 60-hour power reserve indication for timekeeping even has the universal gas pump symbol on the side of the gauge at nine o’clock.
The watch features not one but three crowns located at the bottom of the case. The left crown sets the time, the middle crown winds both the movement and the animation, and a push of the right-hand crown starts the animation.
The choice of strap is comfortable and supple white rubber with a titanium deployment buckle.
IMHO
This watch has everything someone wishing to invest $1.5 million would expect in a statement piece. A one of a kind with off the charts wrist presence packed into a 57.8mm alluring blue sapphire crystal case. It includes an inclined tourbillon as well as a spectacular fully mechanical recreation of the iconic Bugatti W16 engine in action, powered by the same movement.
Is it already promised to one lucky individual? Will it be auctioned, or will it be kept by the company as a museum piece? We don’t know, but what we do know is, this exquisitely created novelty will delight watch collectors the world over and there will be any number of them longing to place this piece in their Buben & Zorweg customized watch vault.
Tech Specs
Reference: BU210.80.AH.UA.BBRUA
Limited Edition: Pièce Unique
Size: 57.8mm x 44.4mm
Case: Anti-Reflective Blue Sapphire Crystal; Caseback: Sapphire Crystal; Crowns and Pushers: Sapphire Crystal and Titanium
Dial: Blue Index and Blue “EB” logo; Rhodium Hands with blue tips
Functions: Hours, Minutes, 1 minute Tourbillon cage 30° inclined (diamond on top),”W16 engine” in a sapphire block, Power Reserve Indicator at 9 o’clock
Water resistance: 30m
Strap: White rubber with titanium deployment clasp
Price: USD 1,500,000
Availability: TBC
