The Bugatti Calandre

Following the 2024 release of the Jacob & Co. Bugatti Tourbillon timepiece, the brands join forces once again, taking their collaboration to new heights, with a new horological format: an exquisite table clock. The Bugatti Calandre blends historic features, high watchmaking, and delicate artistry. Designed as part of a partnership between Jacob & Co., Bugatti, and Lalique over a three-year R&D process, this timepiece is a rare piece of craftsmanship, bringing together Bugatti's rich history and Jacob & Co.'s innovation in high watchmaking.

The Bugatti Calandre reflects Jacob & Co.'s ability to translate one century of iconic design cues from Bugatti into an intricate timepiece. Featuring a Lalique-crafted crystal case and timeless design elements, the Bugatti Calandre pays homage to past generations of Bugatti artistry, seamlessly integrating heritage with the visionary future of the iconic automotive marque.

Jacob & Co. first references the legendary Bugatti Type 41 Royale with two intricately sculpted Dancing Elephants - an artistic tribute to Rembrandt Bugatti, the renowned sculptor and brother of Ettore Bugatti. These graceful creatures are leaning symmetrically toward each other, a style that defined numerous Lalique clock designs. Next, the name of the product, Calandre, is a nod to Bugatti's French roots and translates to the radiator grille, celebrating the iconic horseshoe grille found on Bugatti vehicles. Above the grille details sits the Bugatti brand logo known as the Bugatti Macaron, with its deep red colour known to car lovers and collectors all over the world.

Lastly, behind the horseshoe grille, Jacob & Co. fitted a clock calibre featuring a vertical flying tourbillon in reference to Bugatti's newly released Bugatti Tourbillon hyper sports car, doubling as a nod to the tourbillon's original purpose, increasing accuracy in vertically positioned timepieces.

Jacob & Co. envisioned a piece that integrates Bugatti's history into a contemporary timepiece. The Bugatti Calandre embodies the rich artistic lineage of Bugatti and the Bugatti family, and the craftsmanship of one of the most renowned crystal makers, Lalique. This gave rise to an exclusive "objet d'art," crafted out of French-made crystal, that is as stunning and minute as it is technically complex. The Bugatti Calandre makes for an ideal canvas for fine craft and artistic expression, allowing Jacob & Co. to explore materials typically unknown in the world of wristwatches.

An exclusive movement & Jacob-cut gemstone
Jacob & Co. developed a dedicated movement for the Bugatti Calandre, designed around a vertical flying tourbillon. Historically, this complication was created to enhance accuracy in clocks and watches that remained in a fixed, vertical position. In the Bugatti Calandre, the tourbillon serves its original purpose - counteracting gravity's effect on timekeeping while showcasing Jacob & Co.'s technical prowess. The table clock comes with an eight-day power reserve through the manually wound calibre JCAM58. To maintain the aesthetic, time setting and winding are performed using a special key inserted into the clock's caseback.

Adding the final layer of exclusivity and a tribute to the high jewellery side of Jacob & Co., the Bugatti Calandre is topped by a 30 mm red gemstone. Its colour hints at the Bugatti Macaron's main colour, and its heft is made even more special by its cut. Jacob & Co. used the signature, patented Jacob Cut, rendered unique by its 288-facet, nearly round shape.

Lalique's time-honoured crystal expertise
The crystal case of the Bugatti Calandre is handcrafted in Lalique's workshops in the eastern French town of Wingen-sur-Moder. Founded in 1922, it's home to techniques refined over decades to achieve unmatched clarity and brilliance. Molten crystal is poured into an engineered steel mould, where it cools and solidifies into the sculpture. The clarity, purity, and inner light of the crystal ensure that every detail is accentuated when light passes through. Once cast, artisans spend months refining every surface to sharpen edges, enhance textures, and frost and polish finishes.

The process involves meticulous casting, cooling, and hand-finishing by expert artisans, ensuring that each piece meets the highest standards of quality. The intricate frosted and polished surfaces enhance the depth and dimension of the sculpted elephants, bringing them to life through light and shadow.

Common ground between the three partners
René Lalique originally began his career as a jeweller, crafting precious pieces just like Jacob Arabo. Mr Lalique later became a glassmaker after inventing several innovative manufacturing processes that are still in use today. He manufactured numerous hood ornaments and clocks. One of the Lalique clock styles was to have two figurines symmetrically leaning towards each other above the dial, framing it with their gracious lines.

Additionally, René Lalique and Ettore Bugatti shared numerous traits. Born outside Alsace, the easternmost region of France, they elected to set up their workshops in the area, only 45 km apart. Both entrepreneurs had found a special set of skills in Alsace, where their industrial roots belong. What's more, René Lalique and Ettore Bugatti were business partners in the "Clos Sainte Odile," an exclusive venue established over 100 years ago, that subsequently became a two-star restaurant.

More than just a collector's piece, the Jacob & Co. Bugatti Calandre is a bold statement of the brand's dedication to merging the worlds of haute horology and artistic craftsmanship. Encased in a bespoke tan leather trunk, like that of Bugatti's luxury interiors, the Calandre table clock embodies the fusion of luxury, design, and innovation that defines both brands.

Technical Specifications of the Bugatti Calandre
Calibre: JCAM58
Winding: Hand-wound
Size: 114 mm
Height: 25 mm
Components: 189
Power Reserve: 8 days
Frequency: 21'600 vph (3 Hz)
Functions: One-minute flying tourbillon; Hours and minutes

Case
Size: 264 x 196 mm
Material: Lalique moulded crystal
Centrepiece: 30 mm, 288-facet, Jacob-cut red gem

Dial
Material: Polished steel, open-worked aluminium
Hands: Openworked, rhodium-finished

Bugatti Calandre is limited to only 99 Pieces, and the price tag is a staggering 240,000 USD.