Luxury automobile maker Rolls-Royce is known for its breathtaking elegance and extraordinary craftsmanship. The essence of the automaker is reflected in their latest vehicle release, the one-off Boat Tail convertible, but their craft goes one step further in this launch. Rolls Royce has partnered with The house of Bovet 1822 to craft the detail, precision and beauty of the Boat Tail into a set of custom his-and-hers timepiece.
Rolls-Royce makes some of the most luxurious cars in the world. In May this year, the company unveiled a new four-seat retro convertible, the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail. The 5.8-meter grand tourer is a special-built commission inspired by the high-level forms found in J-Class Yachts. It is a magnificent reflection of the luxury embodied in the Rolls-Royce brand, so it is explicable that the company would go further and create a complementary timepiece.
Bovet 1822 is a Swiss manufacturer of luxury timepieces. For over 200 years, Bovet has skillfully combined luxury and craftsmanship to create hand-crafted expressions of time. The intersection of company values for the two companies made this the perfect partnership for a lavish timepiece. The pair created a set of specially designed 18-Karat, 44-millimeter white gold case, each featuring motifs that honour the ageless design of the Boat Tail. The gentleman’s version is highly polished, while the ladies are engraved and filled with blue lacquer.
The primary face features the classic Caleidolegno veneer material found on the rear of the Boat Tail accented with sapphire screws for each timepiece. The lower portion of the main facade features a hand-engraved figure of the classic Rolls-Royce “Spirit of Ecstasy” on a white gold tourbillon bridge. If that doesn’t sound intricate enough, the watch is two-sided with intricately engraved reverse dials. On the reverse side, the gentleman’s watch features a depiction of the night sky at the time of his birth, while the ladies features a miniature painting of a bouquet. The watch interior features an engraving of the owner’s name. The unique pair of watches is an affluent expression of the potentials of united watchmaking.
“We have together created historically significant items of detail, precision, and beauty. These remarkable objets d’art, unique to the first iteration of Boat Tail, represent the finest examples of the skills and values shared by our two great luxury Houses.”
Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
The keepsake watches are designed to be worn on the wrist but double as a pocket watch. What is more, the timepieces can convert into dashboard clocks. The Boat Tail features a unique titanium holder that enables the timepiece to slot into the dashboard for use as the car’s clock. Below is a compartment to keep the straps and accompanying accessories when not in use. Bovet underwent rigorous new vibration and safety tests to verify the watches for use in a vehicle to make this a reality. As a result, each watch is equipped with a five-day power reserve and the capability to remain precise if kept in a vertical position for use in the car.
The Rolls-Royce, Bovet collaboration is an ultimate expression of what is possible when two luxury powerhouses combine. These commissioned pieces have sparked interest in the opportunity of new creations at Rolls Royce; it sparked an opening for select groups to “participate in the creation of utterly unique, personal commissions of future historical significance.”