Parmigiani Fleurier have unveiled the Bugatti Type 390, a watch created in honour of "the world's most powerful and fastest production super sports-car", the Bugatti Chiron. In the presence of Dr Stefan Brungs, Member of the Management Board of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. for Sales, Marketing and Customer Service, and Michel Parmigiani, President of Parmigiani Fleurier, an exclusive group of customers and journalists had the opportunity to discover the latest addition to the Swiss watch company's Bugatti collection, an exceptional model to be produced in two 10-piece limited editions. This extraordinary watch features a cylindrical movement offering unrivalled performance.
France, Molsheim, 24th October 2017 – Parmigiani Fleurier today unveils the new Bugatti Type 390 at the Bugatti headquarters in Molsheim, France, further energising the partnership linking the two firms since 2004 and opening a new chapter in the watch manufacture's story by introducing a driver for future developments.
As special guests, Parmigiani Fleurier clients enjoyed a double treat, with the chance to wear the Bugatti Type 390 while sitting in the Bugatti Chiron, whose 1500 horsepower and top speed of 420 km/h (limited for road use) have earned it the title of "world's most powerful and fastest production super sports-car". The rumble of its predecessor, the Bugatti Veyron, could also be heard throughout the day, with the two vintage Bugatti sports cars providing thrills for all those who stepped aboard. And the Parmigiani Fleurier balloon was seen floating high above the site for the duration of the event.
Dr Stefan Brungs, Member of the Management Board of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S for Sales, Marketing and Customer Service, reminded Parmigiani Fleurier's guests of the collaborative spirit that links the two firms, highlighting the vision shared by the two partners: "Like all Bugatti supersport cars, Parmigiani Fleurier watches are designed in pursuit of excellence and the ultimate performance. A horological interpretation of our Bugatti Chiron, the Bugatti Type 390, with its extraordinary engine
block and unique exterior, is another impressive testimony of our identical ambitions".
Parmigiani Fleurier President Michel Parmigiani hailed the partnership that has linked the two firms since 2004. "It is an honour and a privilege, but also a responsibility, to be the watchmaking partner to a legendary brand like Bugatti. From the beginning, we knew that we shared the same vision in terms of innovation, reliability and ethics. Inspired by the philosophy underpinning the development of the Bugatti Chiron, the Bugatti Type 390 and its extraordinary mechanical movement represent a new chapter in this dynamic partnership.
A CAR EMBODIED IN A WATCH
It should be remembered that the meeting between Parmigiani Fleurier and Bugatti took place in 2001. At this time, the prestigious Molsheim-based firm was seeking to build a strong association with a watch company that fulfilled very precise criteria. It needed a brand with a propensity for technical excellence, but also artistic flair, a heightened awareness of design and the elegance of forms. This brand would also need its own independent manufacture, giving it the kind of manufacturing freedom conducive to boundless creative potential. It was therefore a logical move for Bugatti to link its destiny with Parmigiani Fleurier, as the brand met and exceeded all its expectations. The partnership was formalised in 2004. Since then, the Fleurier-based manufacture has striven to create timepieces for the Bugatti collection which are far more than a watch stamped with a car marque logo; they are cars reborn in watch form.
The collaboration between Parmigiani Fleurier and Bugatti is as relevant now as when it was formed thirteen years ago. This is because, every day, the values of authenticity, reliability, innovation, performance and exclusivity continue to guide the activity of the two firms and shape their unique products.
BUGATTI BY PARMIGIANI FLEURIER: A PRESTIGIOUS LINEAGE
The partnership between the watchmaker par excellence and the legendary car manufacturer was born in 2004, with the presentation of the Bugatti Type 370 in honour of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4. This brand new timepiece features an immense three-dimensional movement, whose cylindrical architecture represented a world first, and is worn like an engine block on the wrist with a lateral time display.
In 2010, the partnership was enhanced with a new timepiece inspired by the Type 57S Sport Atalante coupé, the most iconic touring car of the 1930s. In tribute to the vehicle, Parmigiani Fleurier produced its first flyback chronograph, which brought a sporty touch to the budding collection.
In 2010, the Bugatti Super Sport revisited the notion of the engine block on the wrist, but its spiral shape – inspired by the "signature" Parmigiani Fleurier lug – required a mechanism with a stepped structure. In a world first, the time display has been shifted by 90° with respect to the movement's axis thanks to a system of pinions with bevel gearing. Moreover, to create this piece, Parmigiani Fleurier's watchmaking manufactures designed the most complex dynamometric crown to date – with no fewer than twelve components – which ensures two essential functions. First of all, it functions as a disconnecting gear which disengages the movement when fully wound. This external movement protection is a patented invention and the first of its kind in the world. Several versions of the Bugatti Super Sport followed, including a sapphire model that revealed the oversized movement in all its glory, and whose production posed extreme challenges.
In 2014, three unique Bugatti Type 370 models – the Bugatti Mythe, the Bugatti Victoire and the Bugatti Révélation - were created to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Parmigiani Fleurier-Bugatti partnership, while the Bugatti Aérolithe and Bugatti Aérolithe Performance chronographs were added to the collection's sports category in 2014 and 2017 respectively.
A NEW ERA
Today sees the opening of a new chapter, with the arrival of the new Calibre PF390 engine block. In cooperation with the Bugatti Design team, the constructors and master watchmakers of the Parmigiani Fleurier manufacture have conceived, designed and developed the ultimate watch – the Bugatti Type 390 – in honour of the ultimate supercar, the Bugatti Chiron. This new timepiece features an automobile-inspired engine/interior/bodywork construction. At its heart sits the cylindrical
mechanical Calibre PF390 with flying tourbillon; the movement's most distinctive features are its patented triangular barrel coupling system and its inclusion of the world's smallest ever ball bearing. This new "engine" was designed to enable future new developments to be integrated in Parmigiani Fleurier's signature Bugatti collection. The first model to grace the collection – the Bugatti Type 390 – is available in rose gold and white gold, each in 10-piece limited editions. Almost all of these unique
watches, due for delivery in the next few weeks, have been pre-ordered.
BUGATTI
Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S is the manufacturer of the world’s most powerful fastest most exclusive and most luxurious production super sports car. Since it was established in 1909, the French luxury brand has had its headquarters at Molsheim, Alsace, where 450 Veyrons were produced from 2005 to 2015 and where series production of the new Chiron started in autumn of 2016. With a power output of 1.500 HP, unprecedented for production vehicles, an exceptionally high torque value of 1.600 Nm between 2.000 and 6.000 rpm and a wide variety of technical innovations, the Chiron sets new standards in every respect. So far, Bugatti has sold 300 Chiron, which will remain strictly limited to 500 cars. The brand, which has been part of the Volkswagen Group since 1998, employs approximately 300 people. With 34 dealers and service partners in 17 countries in Europe, North America and the Middle and Far East, Bugatti, is now a global player.
PARMIGIANI FLEURIER
Taking its name from its founder, watchmaker and restorer Michel Parmigiani, the fine watchmaking brand was founded in
1996 in Fleurier, in the Swiss valley of Val-de-Travers. With its own watchmaking centre ensuring its independence, the brand
has both full control over the production process and unique creative freedom. For twenty years, the Parmigiani Fleurier
signature has resided within timepieces that command the utmost respect, in harmony with watchmaking traditions. They
are the labour of a lifetime – that of Michel Parmigiani, the talented individuals who assist him, and the special relationship
between the Manufacture and the masterpieces of the past, enabling it to invent a bold future.
27 October 2017
