Jacob & Co., Lalique And Bugatti Unveil A $240,000 Artisan Table Clock

Forbes

4 hours ago

The Bugatti Calandre Table Clock created by Jacob & Co., Lalique and Bugatti
Three well-known luxury brands joined forces to produce a limited-edition table clock that combines their heritage and artisan knowhow.
The Bugatti Calandre Table Clock is the combined creation of luxury watchmaker and jeweler, Jacob & Co., high performance automobile manufacturer, Bugatti, and French luxury glassmaker, Lalique. The research and development as well as the design of this piece took three years alone, the three companies said in a joint statement.
The Bugatti Calandre is primarily designed by Jacob & Co., with the luxury brand translating a century of iconic design cues from Bugatti into an intricate timepiece. Lalique crafted the crystal case that helps in translating this tribute to past generations of Bugatti's artistry as well as the visionary future of the iconic automotive brand.
Jacob & Co. first references the legendary Bugatti Type 41 Royale with two intricately sculpted Dancing Elephants, serving as an artistic tribute to Rembrandt Bugatti, the renowned sculptor and brother of Ettore Bugatti (1881 – 1947), the founder of Bugatti. In this artistic depiction crafted by Lalique, the elephants are leaning toward each other, a style that defined numerous Lalique clock designs.
The name of the product, Calandre (meaning grille), is a nod to Bugatti's French roots and translates Bugatti's iconic horseshoe grille found on its vehicles. The Bugatti brand logo is located on the top part of the grille, in the Bugatti deep red 'macaron' color.
In the center of the grille below the clock hands is a vertical flying tourbillon, which references Bugatti's newly released Bugatti Tourbillon hyper sports car. Jacob & Co. has excelled at creating tourbillons over the years. In March, Jacob & Co. released Astronomia Revolution Four-Axis Tourbillon 'Fourth Dimension.' The first watch with four tourbillons.
The JCAM58 table clock movement has an eight-day power reserve through the manually wound caliber. The time setting and winding are performed using a special key inserted into the clock's caseback.
A close look of the Jacob & Co. vertical tourbillon on the Bugatti Calandre Table Clock
Adding the final layer of exclusivity, and a tribute to the high jewelry side of Jacob & Co., the Bugatti Calandre is topped by a 30mm red gemstone. Its color is close to the Bugatti 'Macaron' red color. Jacob & Co. used its signature, patented 'Jacob Cut,' with its exclusive 288 facets in a near-perfect round shape.
The case, including the two-elephant artwork was crafted by Lalique from French-made molded crystal, turning a timepiece into an objet d'art. The piece was handcrafted in Lalique's historic workshops in the eastern French town of Wingen-sur-Moder.
The Bugatti logo in the Bugatti 'Macaron' red color on the Bugatti Calandre Table Clock
The process in creating the case follows traditional methods that date back to the 19th century. Molten crystal is poured into an engineered steel mold, 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 spent 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. The intricate frosted and polished surfaces enhance the depth and dimension of the sculpted elephants, Lalique said.
Lalique in the statement said there is common ground among the three partners. René Lalique (1860 – 1945) originally began his career as a jeweler, just like Jacob Arabo, the founder of Jacob & Co. René Lalique later became celebrated as a glassmaker and designer 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.
The company adds that René Lalique and Ettore Bugatti shared numerous traits. They were born outside Alsace; the easternmost region of France and they elected to set up their workshops in the area. Both entrepreneurs had found a special set of skills in Alsace. In addition, René Lalique and Ettore Bugatti were business partners in the Clos Sainte Odile, an exclusive venue established more than a 100 years ago that eventually became La Fourchette des Ducs, a Michelin two-star restaurant.
The clock is packaged in a bespoke tan leather trunk, similar Bugatti's luxury interiors.
The Bugatti Calandre Table Clock is available in a limited edition of 99 pieces. It retails for $240,000.