News 
Concepto Watch Factory, a Swiss watch company based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, announced a partnership with the prestigious French brand, as an exclusive supplier, developer and producer of an extraordinary mechatronic instrument cluster, which will equip Bugatti’s latest hyper sports car model, named Tourbillon.
Based in Neuchâtel, Concepto has been recognised in the world of watchmaking for almost 20 years as a discreet “engine” (movement) manufacturer for several leading brands. Now the company is expanding to new outlets of expression by sharing its experience with the designers and engineers of the hyper sports car brand.
Bugatti has been a pioneer of extraordinary mechanical and technological prowess since 1909. Each new hyper sports car model is developed with the approach that every single component must be incomparable. This leading motif obviously applies to the new Tourbillon model, both in terms of its engine and its aesthetics.
It is here that the teams from Concepto Watch Factory could distinguish themselves by materialising a concept that seems contrary to current trends: designing and producing a mechatronic dashboard (combining mechanical and electronic parts) and uniting prestigious Swiss watchmaking mechanisms with the manufacturer’s superlative requirements.
Digital dashboards with high-definition displays are now found in every car. This equipment is now commonplace, with fully customisable displays that can connect to the driver’s mobile devices.
An incomparable approach was proposed instead, referencing the history of the Maison Bugatti and its close relation to exceptional mechanics. The assembly comprises three meters, nested in an elegant “monobloc” aluminium casing which sits in the centre of the steering wheel, giving the impression of being suspended above the steering column.
Each meter has a spectacular look, made up of hand-decorated gears visible below open-worked components, backlit numbers in 3D and dials made from various metals, comparable to the aesthetics of luxury Grand Complication timepieces.
The driver can easily read all the important information from the hands, made with the same finishing as in high-end watchmaking and clearly visible thanks to ingenious lighting systems.
The centre dial shows the speedometer featuring large numerals. The RPM counter is suspended in the middle and partially covers the rack for the coaxial hands, connected to micromotors and then to the electronic components, hidden under the main plate. A discreet digital display confirms the analog information from the hands in real-time.
The left dial is made up of three smaller subdials and shows the different gauges for the hybrid engine (battery charge and fuel status) as well as the temperature. Lastly, the right dial displays the electrical and thermal power.
August 22, 2024