When all is said and done, the Bugatti Type 390 is an absolute triumph. Specially developed for this remarkable watch, and as exceptional as the 1500-hp quad-turbocharged W16 engine on the Chiron, Parmigiani Fleurier's patented calibre PF390 is housed in a cylinder boasting an 80-hour power reserve thanks to its two series-mounted barrels. The transmission of information from the tubular structure to the perpendicularly positioned dial is made possible thanks to a worm screw. Moreover, the modular construction of this movement means that it can be removed from its housing just as an engine would be removed from a supercar for important modifications. It is true to say that, just like the supercar which inspired it, the Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Type 390 has a lot going on under the bonnet!

A true phenomenon in the traditional watch design landscape, Parmigiani Fleurier's new Bugatti Type 390 is primarily an engine block on the wrist. No frills, no purely decorative elements: everything is focussed on performance, on the essentials. "We have implemented technology right where it is needed", explained the manufacturers. That is to say, everywhere – or very nearly – but always with the end goal in mind: performance and reliability.

This same mindset has prevailed since the start of the partnership between the high-flying watchmaker and the legendary car manufacturer. Back in 2004, Parmigiani Fleurier was rewriting the rule book, taking its inspiration directly from the technology implemented on the Bugatti Veyron. In fact, nothing quite like it had ever been conceived in watchmaking before the Parmigiani Fleurier manufacture designed a watch with a three-dimensional "engine" (the Bugatti Type 370) to accompany the launch of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4. The watch brand has continued along this pioneering path ever since and works tirelessly to firmly anchor its Bugatti collection – the "court jester" in the Parmigiani Fleurier collections – in this visionary 21^st-century watchmaking. At Bugatti, they often like to say, "We begin where others stop"; Parmigiani Fleurier has appropriated this maxim for itself by designing innovative watches (such as the Bugatti Type 370, Bugatti Type 370 Centenaire, Bugatti Super Sport, Bugatti Vitesse and Bugatti Super Sport Sapphire in particular) with tried-and-tested technology, in the image of the sports cars produced in the workshops in Molsheim.

Its modular construction, which enables the movement to be removed from its housing – as an engine would be removed for important modifications – involves many ground-breaking solutions. In fact, this calibre PF390 stands out thanks to its gear trains and their arrangement. The objective is the same as on all watches: namely to transmit the energy from the barrels to the escapement. But in view of the cylindrical configuration of the movement, the usual alternating wheel-pinion-wheel-pinion configuration is replaced by a transmission using three planetary gear trains. Each of these three planetary gear trains is equipped with a central train wheel, three planetary gears and a metallised fixed ring gear. A new type of component, this planetary gear train has never before been used in watchmaking gear trains.

This brand new planetary gear train uses the smallest ball bearing in the world: just 1.28 mm in diameter for 12 ceramic balls measuring 0.2 mm in diameter. The ball bearings used on the Bugatti Chiron may be very different in terms of size, but they are very similar in terms of technology! Each of the three planetary gear trains features three bearings, making a total of nine ball bearings in all. Another key point is the fact that the assembly requires no lubrication: a significant advantage in terms of reliability and maintenance.

Moreover, the manufacturers have designed a rod clamp - by replacing four common components on an ordinary watch movement (setting lever, setting lever jumper, yoke and yoke spring on the winding mechanism) – to perform the dual function of winding the two barrels and setting the time. This optimised development helps boost the performance of the mechanism. Using a single component instead of four makes it simpler and more reliable, thereby reducing maintenance. Exactly what we look for in any technological advance. This rod clamp mechanism is used to wind the two connected barrels (energy reservoirs), which are series-mounted coaxially.

The triangular coupling used for the Calibre PF390 enables self-centring of the two barrels, while their series-type coupling guarantees a constant transfer of energy - just like the fuel pressure regulator on the Chiron - and rate regularity for optimal timekeeping. The energy is then transferred via the planetary gear trains to the flying tourbillon regulator, at the end of the transmission chain which oscillates at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour). The variable-inertia balance and the Breguet overcoil are made at Atokalpa, one of Parmigiani Fleurier's manufactures. Just like the Bugatti Chiron, the assembly offers an excellent size-power-weight ratio and remarkable rate stability which propels this Bugatti Type 390 into the exceptional timepiece category. Another innovation of this Calibre PF390 is a torque limiter which protects the movement during winding by preventing any accidental breakage with a free return function.

Continuing in the sporting spirit of the Bugatti Chiron, the black openworked dial makes this a lightweight yet high-performance timepiece. The luminescent applique indices and hands create a stark contrast to ensure optimal legibility. Thanks to the 60-second tourbillon, the seconds can be read through the magnifying effect of the sapphire crystal at the end of the cylinder.

Inspired by the fluid curves of the Bugatti Chiron, the case is also created from gold, (white gold or rose gold, depending on the version), as well as in titanium and engraved on the back with the inscription "EDITION LIMITEE 10 PIECES" (10-piece limited edition). This case was created by Les Artisans Boîtiers – one of Parmigiani Fleurier's manufacture divisions; constructed around the cylindrical structure and water resistant to 3 ATM, it stands out thanks to its ability to pivot 12° around its drive shaft (patent pending), to ensure perfect ergonomics around any wrist. The remarkable technical sophistication of the timepiece can be admired via the large openings topped with sapphire crystal, which is extremely complex to create. Via the top and the end of the tubular structure, the sapphire crystal thus invites us to dive deep into the heart of the timepiece's incredibly complex mechanisms (the "engine" and flying tourbillon), while the openings over and under the dial reveal the watch's many gears and enable the time to be read. The alligator leather strap is signed by Hermès and is fitted with a gold folding buckle.

With the Bugatti Type 390, Parmigiani Fleurier wanted to equip a timepiece with all the technology and the power evocative of the Bugatti Chiron, the most impressive supercar on the market today.  During the four years that it took to develop this remarkable timepiece, the Parmigiani Fleurier manufacture allowed itself no compromises. When all is said and done, it is clear that the Bugatti Type 390 is far more than a watch stamped with a car marque logo; it is the Bugatti Chiron reborn in watch form.