Elite Traveler Fall 2021

INSPIRE TOP WATCHES

JACOB & CO. BUGATTI CHIRON BAGUETTE ORANGE Since forming a partnership with Bugatti in 2019, Jacob & Co. has created just a handful of watches inspired by the million-dollar-plus cars. That’s because the versions it builds are as complex and cool as the cars themselves. Such is the case with the newest Bugatti Chiron Baguette Orange watch, whose highly complicated 578-part movement is a miniature reproduction of the Chiron W 16-cylinder engine, and even features a working crankshaft and pistons. The manual-wind movement, JCAM37, features a tourbillon cage that is set on an angle to allow for a great view of the constantly moving escapement. A pusher on the right side of the case rotates the crank, which propels the up-and-down movement of the pistons. Via a patented system, the movement is suspended within the case using car-like shocks at each corner so that the movement is not rigid and can move with the wearer’s activity. Built for a large wrist (and a large wallet), the 18-karat white gold timepiece is set with 190 diamonds weighing 7.76 carats, and more than 210 black and orange sapphires weighing more than 10 carats. Another nearly two carats of diamonds adorn the buckle of the black rubber strap. $680,000, available at Jacob & Co. in New York, +1 212 719 5887, jacobandco.com

HUBLOT BIG BANG TOURBILLON AUTOMATIC SAPPHIRE ORANGE Hublot has been on the cutting edge of creating new materials for its watches for a while now. The brand, whose motto is The Art of Fusion, even has its own Metallurgy and Materials research laboratory on the premises in its Nyon, Switzerland workshops, where the team continually works with high-tech alloys. This year, Hublot unveils a world-first in the form of orange sapphire. The orange-tinted case of the new Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Sapphire Orange watch was challenging to accomplish due to the difficulty of achieving the depth of color. Hublot’s engineers incorporated titanium oxide and chromium to attain the final color. Thus far, no other watch brand has developed this bold hue. As if the orange sapphire wasn’t enough, Hublot opted to power the watch with an all-new movement. While the orange sapphire was two years in the making, the 243-part movement was three years in research and development. The self- winding caliber boasts a tourbillon escapement at 6 o’clock (rarely do tourbillon escapements come in automatic watches). It also features a decorated micro- rotor that is visible on the dial side. The orange numerals and markers seemingly float on the dial, and the hands are tipped in orange. Just 50 pieces will be made. $169,000, available at Hublot in New York, +1 646 582 9813, hublot.com