A sleek black Bugatti supercar parked in front of the watch and jewelry manufacturer Jacob & Co.’s booth at the Basel Watch and Jewelry Fair in 2019. Bugatti is one of the most powerful names (and engines) in the automotive industry, and one of the most unique. This German-owned Italian car manufacturer was previously associated with watchmaker Parmigiani, but this year we saw them establish a partnership with Jacob & Co. This makes sense in many ways. A member of the aBlogtoWatch team casually pointed out: “Bugatti (Bugatti) is about to make a loud and flashy statement; Jacob & Co. is about to make a loud and flashy statement. These brands attract the same audience.” I agree.
Parmigiani Fleurier’s Bugatti-themed timepieces are usually more technical in visual style, or at least traditional. When it comes to design and display, Jacob & Co.’s appearance is more aggressive and muscular. If you are looking for something that is the same (or more technical) as what Parmassoni does, check out Jacob & Co. Twin Turbo Furious Bugatti. I don’t know if the relationship between Bugatti and Parmigiani Fleurier has ended, or Jacob & Co. is just a new authorized partner of the Bugatti name. I’m not sure if the final consumer has a problem. Today, I will take a look at a limited edition of Jacob & Co. Epic X Chrono Bugatti that can be used as daily wear.
Given that the co-branding on the dial contains both the names of Jacob & Co. and Bugatti, I think it is safe to say that Jacob & Co. is not making a design statement, but specifically producing a watch designed to honor existing brands. (Or aspiring) Bugatti owners. As we all know, people who buy very high-end cars like to be reminded of this fact in places where it is impossible to ride a car (such as indoors). A very simple use of the Jacob & Co. Epic X Chrono Bugatti watch is to wear a wearable totem on the wrist of a person who owns a Bugatti car. It also helps celebrate the 110th anniversary of the iconic trademark in racing cars and super-large cars.
Epic X Chrono is an interesting series of Jacob & Co., and the price is similar to entry-level Jacob & Co. watches. For this particular Bugatti version, Jacob & Co. created a simple-looking black forged carbon fiber (very lightweight) and dark DLC coated titanium case. In the middle of the “X style” dial are red, white and blue, as far as this watch is concerned, they are the colors of Bugatti. The Bugatti logo is usually only red and white, but in some cases, the red and white (with black) logo is on a blue background. Otherwise, you can simply treat this dial as a clock representation of the French flag.
Jacob & Co. hopes that the Epic X series has a unique appeal so that people can say “that is a product of Jacob & Co.” when they see it. Jacob & Co. does not exist yet, but for them, it is a mission, because the brand will definitely benefit from having more well-known sports watch products. The housing is quite large, 47 mm wide (14 mm thick). As a sports watch, the crystal is (natural) sapphire and is water-resistant to 200 meters. On the rubber strap, the Epic X Chrono is as comfortable as a watch of this size.
This Bugatti limited edition uses many exquisite details, such as the use of black ceramic buttons (and crown) in addition to the case material, which is a new feature of the Epic X series. One of the key feature details about Epic X (which is easy to miss) is the internal rotating timing bezel. In other words, it is obvious that this is not a fully collaborative watch design, because it does not actually contain a lot of Bugatti DNA. In the sense that Hublot’s Ferrari watches are produced in cooperation with Ferrari’s design, this is not a Bugatti watch, although if Jacob & Co. and Bugatti can design together, I will see more visually novel products in the future, which may be more unique , More satisfactorily fusion of the world of watches and supercars, this is the unique way of this partnership.
Inside the Epic X Chrono is an automatic movement called Jacob & Co. movement JCAA05. I believe that this movement was produced by Concepto for Jacob & Co. It is a two-registered column-wheel chronograph that only contains time and a 30-minute chronograph. It is not the most interesting movement in the world, but it looks exquisite and is designed to meet the purpose of “everyday wear”.
For watch lovers, the biggest part of the story is that Jacobs has a formal relationship with Bugatti, and I hope this relationship will continue to develop. I don’t think the two companies have the opportunity to make some truly novel products together, and although there are no real Bugatti-themed watches, we started to have these satisfying watches co-branded with Bugatti, such as Epic X Chronograph Bugatti. The number is a limited edition. EC333.29.AA.AA.A .