Elysium
In a world often defined by fleeting trends, true artistry endures. Today, a new beacon of timeless luxury emerges, born from an unprecedented collaboration: the Bugatti Calandre table clock. This isn’t merely a timepiece; it’s a profound dialogue between three titans – Jacob & Co., Bugatti, and Lalique – a whisper of history, a roar of innovation, and a testament to human ingenuity. Prepare to be captivated by an object that redefines what’s possible when passion dictates creation.
More Than a Clock: A Story Cast in Crystal
Imagine, for a moment, the relentless pursuit of perfection. For three years, a clandestine journey unfolded, culminating in the genesis of the Bugatti Calandre. This wasn’t a product of algorithms, but of skilled hands and visionary minds, merging the audacious spirit of Bugatti with the dazzling precision of Jacob & Co. and the ethereal grace of Lalique crystal. It represents a fresh, audacious format in haute horology, a majestic table clock designed to ignite awe.
The very essence of the Bugatti Calandre speaks volumes. Its Lalique-crafted crystal case is not just a housing; it’s a canvas, a transparent homage to Bugatti‘s storied past. Every curve, every facet, echoes a century of design brilliance. Peer closely, and you’ll discover two intricately sculpted Dancing Elephants – a whimsical, yet deeply respectful tribute to Rembrandt Bugatti, the sculptor brother whose artistry rivaled Ettore’s engineering. Their symmetrical embrace, a hallmark of historic Lalique clock designs, cradles the heart of the timepiece, drawing you into its narrative.
And then, the name itself: “Calandre.” A poetic nod to Bugatti’s French soul, translating to the iconic radiator grille, the very face of Bugatti vehicles. Above this sculptural grille, the instantly recognizable Bugatti Macaron logo in its deep, fiery red proclaims its heritage to car lovers and collectors all over the world. This isn’t just design; it’s a conversation between eras.
The Soul Within: A Vertical Dance of Time
What truly distinguishes the Bugatti Calandre lies beneath its stunning exterior. Here, Jacob & Co. has engineered a dedicated movement, the JCAM58 caliber, featuring a mesmerizing vertical flying tourbillon. This isn’t merely a complex mechanism for show; it’s a direct link to the tourbillon’s original purpose – to enhance accuracy in vertically positioned timepieces, a subtle nod to Bugatti’s newly released Bugatti Tourbillon hyper sports car. Witnessing its perpetual motion is to observe gravity itself being defied, a testament to Jacob & Co.’s audacious technical prowess.
This meticulously hand-wound marvel boasts an eight-day power reserve, ensuring its quiet rhythm fills your space for over a week. In a stroke of elegant discretion, time setting and winding are performed with a special key inserted into the clock’s caseback, preserving the uninterrupted flow of its sculptural form.
Crowning this horological wonder is a stunning 30mm red gemstone. This isn’t just any gem; its vibrant hue deliberately echoes the Bugatti Macaron’s primary color. And its brilliance? That comes from the signature, patented Jacob Cut – a dazzling testament to Jacob & Co.’s expertise in high jewelry, rendered unique by its breathtaking 288-facet, nearly round shape. It’s a point of light, a burst of passion, perfectly sealing the legacy.
Lalique’s Whisper: Crystal Transformed by Hand
The crystalline soul of the Bugatti Calandre originates from Lalique’s fabled workshops in Wingen-sur-Moder, eastern France. Since 1922, these artisans have practiced a near-magical alchemy, transforming molten crystal into objects of unparalleled clarity and light. The process is a ballet of precision: liquid crystal is poured into an engineered mold, cooled, solidified, and then undergoes months of painstaking hand-finishing.
Every edge sharpened, every texture enhanced, every surface frosted or polished – this is the language of human dedication. The clarity and inner luminescence of the crystal ensure that every detail, from the sculpted elephants to the intricate mechanisms, is accentuated by light and shadow, literally brought to life by the touch of masterful hands. This is the antithesis of mass production; it is pure, unadulterated craft.
A Shared Destiny: Three Paths Converge
The profound connection between Jacob & Co., Bugatti, and Lalique isn’t coincidental; it’s woven into their very fabric. René Lalique, much like Jacob Arabo, began as a jeweler before pioneering glassmaking. He crafted iconic hood ornaments and clocks, some featuring the very symmetrical figurines that inspired the Calandre.
Even more fascinating, René Lalique and Ettore Bugatti, born just 45 kilometers apart in Alsace, shared a visionary spirit. Both entrepreneurs founded their workshops in this industrially rich region, even becoming business partners in the historic ‘Clos Sainte Odile’. This shared geographical and entrepreneurial kinship imbues the Bugatti Calandre with an authentic lineage, a common ground rooted in shared passion and pursuit of excellence.
Beyond Possession: An Art of Living
The Jacob & Co. Bugatti Calandre is more than an object; it’s a statement. It’s a testament to the seamless fusion of luxury, design, and innovation. Each of the 99 pieces created, encased in a bespoke tan leather trunk reminiscent of Bugatti’s opulent interiors, is a journey in itself.
Priced at 240,000 USD, it’s an investment not just in a time-telling device, but in a narrative – a legacy of artistry, engineering, and daring vision. The Bugatti Calandre is an ‘objet d’art’ that transcends its function, inviting you to connect with the very soul of craftsmanship. Discover the Bugatti Calandre – and experience the art of living, redefined.
