Messages: 25874 Location: Washington, DC
Registered: November 2003
N E W M o d e l - Parmigiani Bugatti Vitesse
Mon, 20 August 2012 16:14
Inspired by the new convertible Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, Michel Parmigiani and his team worked on the extension of Parmigiani Fleurier's Bugatti collection: La Bugatti Vitesse.
The Bugatti Vitesse recaptures the outstanding concept of the Bugatti Super Sport launched two years ago, with its legendary PF372 movement and the dial displayed at a 90° angle. This world first movement includes a double-pinion system with bevel gearing, and a complex mechanism which allows for a perpendicular time display. The profile of the Bugatti Super Sport case recalls the iconic form of the lugs on a Parmigiani Fleurier timepiece.
The technical feat of the movement remains the same in the new Bugatti Vitesse, but this new execution reflects reworked shapes, colours and materials for a more masculine edition.
The paintwork of the fastest convertible in the world is a special, modern alloy which combines shine and matt colour, giving the car an almost paramilitary appearance. As a result, it was decided to reflect this masculinity in the watch through the use of titanium. The case of the Bugatti Vitesse consists of a perfectly polished and satin-finished surface which looks like it was sent from the future, and gives the timepiece "more virility" to quote the designers of Parmigiani Fleurier in comparison with the first edition Bugatti Super Sport.
Another innovative choice of material: the dial which is made from Texalium, a web of fibre glass covered by a thin layer of aluminium. More reflective than the carbon fibre used for the Bugatti Super Sport, the Texalium fibers come in a white or orange version, to reflect the two executions of the car.
In an effort to convey the notion of speed before anything, the dial of the new Bugatti Vitesse has been reconsidered, with a view to conveying the concept of speed first and foremost. The indexes are spindle-shaped between 3 and 9 o'clock, which conveys an impression of acceleration, revitalizing the watches' oval dial.
There is a final aesthetic evolution to the model which decorates the profile of the watch. The crown is set with two cabochons of carnelian and lapis-lazuli semi-precious stones of a rare purity which illuminate the timepiece. Blue or orange in colour, these cabochons are engraved with the initials of Parmigiani Fleurier.
Technical Specifications Bugatti Vitesse
Movement
PF 372
Hand-wound movement
10-day power reserve
Two-plane calibre: height 15.96 mm, width 25 mm, length 37.01 mm
Frequency: 3 Hz 21,600 Vib/h
40 jewels
Two series-coupled barrels
Number of components: 333
"Côtes de Genève" decoration, circular-grained, sand-blasted and hand-bevelled main plates
Functions
Hour, minute
Power reserve indicator
Case
Shaped case: 36.0 x 50.7 mm, height 22.7 mm
Material: titanium
Polished and satin-finished
Water resistance: 10 meters
Six anti-reflective sapphire crystals Front and topside crystals metallised around the outer rim Dynamometric crown in 18 ct white gold with lapis-lazuli cabochon, for time-setting and winding
Individual number engraved on the case-back
Dial
White "Texalium", polished EB applique, polished black-gold Bugatti "Vitesse" applique, Delta-shaped hands with luminescent coating
Strap
Hermès alligator strap, titanium folding buckle with polished finish
- Jorge Merino