This $240,000 Desk Clock Achieves What Even A Lamborghini Cannot | Carscoops

      Is this the ideal gift for your friend who drives a Bugatti?

      10 hours ago

      by Stephen Rivers

      Bugatti, Jacob & Co., and Lalique have collaborated to create a clock for your desk.

      The completed piece celebrates automotive history and is priced at $240,000.

      This is not the first occasion these brands have joined forces for a timepiece.

      Sometimes, owning a supercar isn't enough. What do you gift a Bugatti owner who seems to have everything? Perhaps the new Bugatti Calandre table clock is the answer. However, act quickly, as only 99 units are available.

      Additionally, you'll need to find $240,000 before taxes. While you could purchase a Lamborghini Urus or a decent condo with that sum, this is a clock. It will occupy space on a desk or mantle, collecting dust... until it's occasionally cleaned by someone’s assistant.

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      First, let's discuss the name. Calandre does not mean calendar or timing; it translates to “radiator grille.” Classy, right? This makes sense to some degree, as the clock’s face resembles a Bugatti grille inspired by the Type 41 Royale. Notably, it features outward-facing embellishments and a pair of ‘dancing elephants,’ which are Bugatti’s symbol.

      Crystal, Craft, and a Tourbillon

      The sculpture surrounding the clock is crafted from molten crystal molded by Lalique. Atop the entire creation sits a red Jacob & Co. crystal composed of 288 facets. Both the case and the crystal receive meticulous attention to detail to ensure top-notch quality. Ultimately, though, it’s the inner workings of this clock that make it unique.

      In contrast to a Lamborghini, which thrives on speed and sound, this $240,000 desk accessory simply sits silently, showcasing a Tourbillon as if it were performing for a tiny audience. You don’t drive it, and you don’t hear it, but you can watch it. This is the one area where it outshines a supercar: it transforms time into a display right on your desk without moving at all.

      The term Tourbillon originates from watchmaking and refers to a mechanism that affixes the escapement and balance wheel of a watch to a rotating cage. Originally, watchmakers believed it would minimize timing errors caused by gravity. Today, there’s ongoing discussion about their effectiveness, but they undeniably look impressive. Thus, this table clock features a Tourbillon visible on its face.

      All of this aligns since Jacob & Co. previously collaborated with Bugatti on another watch. That piece, named simply the Tourbillon, includes 557 components and is reported to cost $340,000.

      Indeed, the wristwatch is priced $100,000 higher than the jeweled table clock you’re reading about. Ultimately, these are the kinds of items that the wealthy covet. A decade or more from now, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a Tourbillon for sale alongside a matching watch and table clock.