Everyone loves a good mystery, and when it involves what could be the most expensive car in the world, this one is irresistible. The famous Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic Coupe from the 1930s is regarded as a masterpiece of automotive design. Four were made and, according to legend, the only black version disappeared around 1940, when Bugatti shipped their cars and goods from Molsheim, France, to the company’s secondary factory in Bordeaux to keep them safe from the Nazis. Everything else arrived safely, but not that special Atlantic. Dubbed La Voiture Noire (“The Black Car”), this spectacular car is an unsolved mystery in automotive history. This car, chassis no. 57453, has never been found. Experts estimate that the car would be worth upwards of $100 million if it was ever discovered, making it the most valuable car on the planet.
In 2019, Bugatti created a one-off tribute to this fascinating automobile, reusing the name La Voiture Noire and selling it for more than 11 million Euro (pre-tax). To honor this new hyper sportscar and the legend of the original, Jacob & Co. is introducing the one-off Twin Turbo Furious Bugatti La Montre Noire. Encased in 18K black gold and set with natural black baguette-cut sapphires, resulting in a unique all-black aesthetic, this timepiece channels the spirit of both remarkable cars, combining the grand complication of the Twin Turbo Furious with the singular history of La Voiture Noire. Dynamic and supremely comfortable, the Twin Turbo Furious Bugatti La Montre Noire matches Bugatti’s performance and excellence standards, while also fulfilling the Bugatti promise of versatility.
Unique Gem-Setting
The 18K black gold case is invisibly set with 344 natural black sapphires. Even the black gold and black titanium deployant buckle is set with these beautiful gemstones. Setting the black sapphires into the ergonomic, shaped case is no mean task, but one that Jacob & Co.’s expert gem setters are more than up to. These shimmering shards of the night sky underscore this unique timepiece’s tribute to the greatest automotive mystery of all time.
Furiously Complicated
In the world of watchmaking, the presence of a tourbillon in a watch’s movement places the piece among the elite. Jacob & Co.’s Twin Turbo Furious La Montre Noire sets itself apart from this rarified group, incorporating two accelerated triple-axis tourbillons into its striking design. The tourbillons work to compensate for the effects of gravity on the precision of the movement. Even the case of the Twin Turbo Furious Bugatti La Montre Noire is super complicated - the case alone is comprised of 88 parts. The grand complication movement is made up of 832 individual parts, incredible to consider that many parts coming together, and amazing to see in action.
A Decimal Minute Repeater
Minute repeaters are the most prized complications by collectors and they are among the most difficult complications for watchmakers to conceive. Nevertheless, Jacob & Co. sought to push the boundaries of what was considered technically feasible when bringing the Twin Turbo Furious to life. Most minute repeaters conform to the hours, quarter hours and minutes standard, but the Twin Turbo Furious Bugatti La Montre Noire chimes on demand in ten-minute intervals after the hours and before the minutes, a decimal repeater that is very rare in high watchmaking. In fact, you can count the number of manufacturers presenting decimal minute repeaters on one hand and have a few fingers left.
Planetary Gear Power Reserve
The power reserve is displayed on the dial side at six o’clock. Thanks to an ingenious planetary system comprising a differential gear mechanism, the hand points to a full power reserve on the left, then moves to the right as the 48 hours of reserve winds down. The watch is wound through the crank placed on the crown at three o’clock.
A Monopusher Chronograph Function with Reference Time
With the Twin Turbo Furious Bugatti La Montre Noire, Jacob & Co. goes even further by adding a very specific monopusher chronograph function. Embodying the brand’s determination to always seek new solutions or to create never-before-seen functions, the chronograph is equipped with a “reference time” indicator. Inspired by the pit boards in motor racing, the reference time display is located in the center of the dial, indicating the difference in seconds in comparison to a reference time. The original La Voiture Noire is the most perplexing automotive enigma in history. The new pièce unique Twin Turbo Furious Bugatti La Montre Noire honors this legendary and mysterious car in a modern, grand complication timepiece.
About the Partnership
In 2019, Bugatti and Jacob & Co. signed a multi-year partnership to create unique, never-before-seen timepieces. These watches are true to the spirit of both companies, while taking watchmaking to impossible heights. To inaugurate this partnership led by performance, two timepieces were created. These watches, based on the Twin Turbo Furious and the Epic X Chrono, were directly inspired by the unique design and spirit 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.
