For more than a century, Bugatti has epitomized engineering excellence, craftsmanship and innovation—not just in automobiles but in horology. The French marque’s deep-rooted connection to watchmaking has yielded some of the most exquisite timepieces, reflecting its commitment to precision and artistry.
Bugatti’s association with fine watchmaking dates back to 1925, when Swiss brand Mido recognized the automaker’s dedication to performance and design. Mido crafted a limited series of gold watches, shaped like Bugatti’s distinctive horseshoe grille, to be gifted to the marque’s top drivers and mechanics. These early collaborations set the foundation for a relationship between automotive engineering and horology that would span generations.
The connection strengthened in the 1930s, when Ettore Bugatti commissioned legendary Swiss watchmaker Breguet to design dashboard chronographs for the Type 41 Royale—the most luxurious car of its era. The precision-crafted timepieces, featuring tachometers to measure speed, were seamlessly integrated into the vehicle’s design, reinforcing Bugatti’s pursuit of perfection.
Decades later, as Bugatti underwent a renaissance in the early 2000s, its watchmaking partnerships evolved. The marque teamed up with Parmigiani Fleurier to develop the Bugatti Type 370—a revolutionary “driver’s watch” inspired by the Veyron hypercar’s gearbox. This manually wound timepiece, recognized as “Watch of the Year” in 2006, symbolized a new chapter in the automaker’s horological journey.
In recent years, Bugatti has pushed the limits of timepiece engineering through a collaboration with Jacob & Co. The partnership has led to groundbreaking creations, including the Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon, which features a miniature W16 engine automaton. The latest addition, the Bugatti Tourbillon, seamlessly integrates elements of the marque’s newest hypercar, embodying the fusion of automotive and horological mastery.
With another exclusive edition set to debut in April, Bugatti continues to redefine the boundaries of luxury craftsmanship, ensuring its timeless legacy in both automobiles and horology endures for generations.
Shawn Henry