Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Aerolithe Performance

Quick specs Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Aerolithe Performance
Price: $ 22,900 | € 20.800 | approx. £ 17,300
Size: 41 mm
Reference: PFC329-3001400-XC1442

Bugatti is one of the most appealing car brands in the world. Parmigiani Fleurier is the only watch brand with a partnership with Bugatti and that resulted in several Bugatti-styled watch models. The Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Aerolithe Performance is the latest model, and certainly not the last.

This Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Aerolithe Performance has the same case shape and lugs as the other Bugatti Aerolithe watch models. In addition, the case of this model has an intermediate ring that displays an inverted diamond point pattern. The watch features two tachymeter scales: one for kilometers per hour, in blue, and one for miles per hours, in red. The dial of the watch has a diamond-shaped, textured pattern with polished ends of the diamonds to enrich the textured look. At 9 o’clock are the small seconds, at 3 there is the 30-minute totalizer.

The Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Aerolithe Performance houses the caliber PF335 with a flyback chronograph module. It offers a power-reserve of 50 hours.

The design of the Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Aerolithe Performance is inspired by a 1935 Bugatti

The Bugatti Aerolithe was launched in 2014 and inspired by the design of the 1935 Bugatti Type 57 Aerolithe. The shapes of the case and lugs are a direct reference to that model. This Bugatti, with a magnesium body, was a concept car shown at the 1935 Earl’s Court Motor Show in the United Kingdom. And the predecessor of the Type 57 and Type 57S/SC. There seems to be one road test of the car after which it disappeared. Bugatti never sold the concept car so it was probably destroyed for its materials.

In the early 2010s the car was re-created, starting with nothing else than a few black-and-white photos and some rough blueprints.

By the way, the famous Type 57 was also the inspiration for the Ralph Lauren RL Automotive Double Tourbillon, the Type 57SC Atlantic Coupe to be precisely. The overwhelming shapes of the Type 57, the futuristic looks and the performance of this car are still influencing today’s designers.