Parmigiani presents the Bugatti Aerolithe

In the watch industry there are many collaborations between watches and cars. The combination of mechanics and design, masculinity and speed are easily linked. Just think of Ferrari (now-a-days with Hublot), Porsche (now-a-days Eterna, but it used to be IWC), Bentley (of course with Breitling) and Aston Martin (Jaeger-LeCoultre). Today we can show you the brand new Parmigiani Bugatti Aerolithe, a new milestone in the already intense collaboration between Swiss High-End watchmaker Parmigiani and French ultra luxury car maker Bugatti.

Parmigiani does not simply “brand” the watch with the car-maker’s name, but instead goes the extra mile. And they have been doing so since the very beginning of the collaboration. The iconic design of the Parmigiani Bugatti Super Sport that we showed you before (click here) shows how a collaboration can be so much more than simply adding an extra logo to the dial. The Bugatti Super Sport (we’re talking about the watch made by Parmigiani) shows the “engine” in a similar way as the Bugatti Super Sport (now we’re referring to the French sports car). The new Parmigiani Bugatti Aerolithe features the characteristic lugs that perfectly resemble the old Bugatti Aerolithe car from 1935.

Parmigiani’s Bugatti Aerolithe was unveiled last week in Milan, when Bugatti introduced their new “Lifeline Collection”; an assortment of accessories and clothing, all inspired by the aerodynamic bodies of the Bugatti cars. The Bugatti Aerolithe is a stunning flyback chronograph that really resembles the legendary car of the same name. Just look at the sketch on the left.

Parmigiani even took it a step further. The old Bugatti comprises of two parts, left and right, which are riveted together. The rivet goes from front to the rear end of the car and looks like a dorsal seam, giving the car a futuristic streamlined look. This “dorsal seam” is also incorporated in the new Parmigiani watch, on each of its four lugs, symbolizing the genius of Jean Bugatti and the technical prowess that gave rise to the car almost 80 years ago.

The Bugatti Aerolithe features a flyback chronograph, which allows the wearer to stop, reset and restart the chronograph with a single push of the button. Both chronograph push-buttons are positioned in the lugs at the left hand side of the case. This position makes push-buttons more accessible, because they are easier to grip with the thumb at 8 and 10 o’clock, rather than with the index finger at 2 and 4 o’clock as they would normally be.

Compared to all other chronographs from this Fleurier-based watch brand, its case is significantly thinner.The titanium and white gold case of the Bugatti Aerolithe has a redesigned, more slender, more elevated profile, echoing the captivating curves of the car.

The blue dial is a unique achievement of Quadrance et Habillage, the dial manufacture of Parmigiani’s watchmaking hub.According to the information we received, Parmigiani will introduce more dial colors for this model. The deep blue dial is off-set beautifully by the vivid red chronograph hands; the central chronograph seconds hand and 30-minute counter. At six o’clock is the Bugatti logo, just above the curved date aperture. Parmigiani always come on a Hermès leather strap and this Bugatti Aerolithe comes on a very nice grained blue calfskin, which is off-set by vivid red lacquered sides and a red inside of the strap. The buckle has been completely redesigned to symbolise a car grille, so that the Bugatti DNA encircles the wrist from all angles.

More information on the Parmigiani Fleurier website.