Today’s Post by Joe Farace
I’ve always loved wrist watches and loved shopping in the Fossil store, that was previously located in Castle Rock, Colorado. It was a great shopping experience where you could find interesting, analog watches at good prices. My most recent watch was the Citizen military-inspired Chandler. It has a black ion-plated stainless steel case, tan Cordura strap and sand colored dial. Other features include analog day/date and 12/24-hour time and is powered by Citizen’s Eco-Drive technology that never needs a battery and powered by light, any light. And then there’s this…
Jacob & Co. announced the new Bugatti Chiron Blue Sapphire Crystal timepiece that’s the result of collaboration between them and Bugatti and reproduces the visceral sensation of Bugatti’s 16-cylinder engine. Inside the case is a fully operational recreation of the iconic Bugatti W16 engine. When pushing the right-side crown activates the automation, the engine comes to life with 16 pistons pumping and two turbochargers spinning. The flowing lines of the Chiron inspired the ultra sleek tonneau-shaped case.
The price falls into the category of, “If you have to ask, you can’t afford it,” is an eye popping $1.5 million and features a watch case that’s made completely out of sapphire crystal.
The fully transparent sapphire caseback reveals all of the exquisite details of the 578 hand-decorated and hand-assembled components, which include the two separate barrels and ratchet wheels. Also visible from the back are many of the 51 jewels used in the movement of the timepiece. In keeping with the hyper sports car theme, the power reserve indication for timekeeping even has the universal gas pump symbol on the side of the gauge at nine o’clock.
Further drawing inspiration from the Chiron, the movement within the watch is completely suspended in four places, mirroring the actual automobile’s shock absorbers. Framing the engine block within the watch are two “exhausts,” completing the engine theme of the design.
Two timepieces, the Twin Turbo Furious and the Epic X Chrono have been released since the formation of the partnership, both directly inspired by the unique design and spirit of Bugatti hypercars.
Personally and because I’m an Anglophone, my watch wish list includes a Red Arrows Citizen, that’s an homage to the aerobatics display team of the Royal Air Force that’s based at RAF Scampton, near to the village of Scampton, Lincolnshire, and six miles north west of the city, Lincoln, England.