In the realm of luxury mobility, Rolls-Royce reigns supreme. For over a century now, the British marque has consistently stood as a benchmark of opulence and an emblem of bespoke craftsmanship and automotive artistry. The Goodwood carmaker has taken this reputation up by a few notches revealing two distinctive commissions, “La Rose Noire Droptail” and “Amethyst Droptail”. The first two in a series of four Droptail commissions, these extraordinary expressions of individuality execute the clients’ vision brilliantly while weaving them into the brand’s existing tapestry.
The first car, ‘La Rose Noire’ pays homage to the Black Baccara rose and the dichotomy of love and mystery. Much like the enigmatic flower, the car’s ‘True Love’ exterior hue shifts as it is viewed from different angles. Achieving this dynamic effect required the expertise of surface finish specialists, who developed an entirely new painting technique, apparently refined through a meticulous process of 150 iterations. The foundation was laid with a base coat, its hue held as a closely guarded secret, followed by five coats of clear lacquer, each subtly blended with distinct shades of red.
Engineered for versatility, a detachable hardtop transforms the Droptail into two distinct personas. Without its roof, the Droptail exudes the airiness of an open-top roadster, embodying a lithe elegance. Upon installation of the roof, the vehicle undergoes a dramatic metamorphosis, evolving into a commanding and striking coupé.
The car’s interior unfurls as a handcrafted work of art, mirroring the delicately scattered petals of a rose, and the craftsmanship of the artisans echoing through the 1,603 carefully positioned wood veneer triangles. Adding to the aura of opulence is the inclusion of a bespoke Audemars Piguet timepiece. Commissioned specifically by the patron, the 43mm Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT Large Date houses a self-winding Calibre 4407 movement boasting a flyback chronograph and a split-seconds function. In perfect harmony with La Rose Noire’s distinctive colour palette, the timepiece showcases red counters and a matching inner bezel.
The second commission, the ‘Amethyst Droptail,’ takes inspiration from the client’s son’s birthstone, and masterfully marries artistry and minimalist aesthetics. Drawing inspiration from the ethereal Globe Amaranth flower, the exterior unveils a harmonious duotone finish capturing the flower’s varied stages of bloom. This unique finish, infused with an iridescent quality reminiscent of the gemstone, sets the tone.
Meticulous attention extends to the intricate wood veneer sprawling across the most extensive surface ever envisioned by Rolls-Royce. Beyond aesthetics, this expanse serves as an aerodynamic element, melding form with functionality. The inclusion of precious amethyst gems within the wood adds a discreet yet unmistakable touch of luxury. Meanwhile, the detachable roof is embedded with electrochromic glass that can be effortlessly adjusted for changes in hue and transparency through a simple touch of a button.
The Rolls-Royce Amethyst Droptail also boasts an exceptional timepiece, specially commissioned by the patron, and crafted by none other than the Swiss maison Vacheron Constantin. Dubbed ‘Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon’ this handcrafted timepiece features a bi-retrograde display, bi-axial tourbillon, and harmonious coordination of form and colour with Amethyst Droptail’s design. The timepiece’s elegance is showcased on a white-gold baseplate with a sunburst guilloché pattern.
As these two coach-built masterpieces add new dimensions to Rolls-Royce’s extraordinary lineage of bespoke commissions, the Droptail narrative continues, with two more exquisite iterations currently in development.
