A Dashboard Built by Watchmakers
In an era when automakers race to install the largest possible digital screens, Bugatti has taken the opposite approach. The Tourbillon's instrument cluster is a mechanical marvel containing more than 650 individual components, designed and assembled by Swiss watchmaking firm Concepto. The result is a dashboard that looks and functions more like a luxury timepiece than a conventional gauge cluster.
The tourbillon mechanism itself dates back to 1801, originally invented to improve the accuracy of pocket watches. In horology, it is considered a hallmark of the highest craftsmanship. Bugatti adopted both the name and the philosophy, incorporating tiny gears, rubies used as bearings, and engine-turned surfaces that echo prewar Bugatti automobiles.
Engineering at the Intersection of Two Worlds
Crafting the cluster required Concepto's artisans to solve problems that exist at the boundary of two precision disciplines. Traditional watchmaking tools, designed for millimeter-scale work, were inadequate for the larger instrument cluster. New techniques had to be developed to apply fine-watch finishing standards at automotive scale.
The cluster also integrates modern automotive elements, including LEDs and electronic displays, alongside the mechanical components. Multiple decorative finishes are available to buyers, and the cluster is mounted behind a fixed-hub steering wheel to ensure an unobstructed view at all times.
