In addition to producing some of the most opulent automobiles in the world, Rolls-Royce is known for its carefully chosen line of ultra-premium accessories. The game of chess is the latest area of sophisticated leisure in which the brand has expanded its focus. Its leather-clad base gently ascends from the center, drawing inspiration from the signature waft lines of Rolls-Royce motor vehicles, and creating the illusion that it is effortlessly suspended above its refined, narrow footprint.
“We are in the privileged position of knowing our clients personally. These relationships – and the unique insights they provide into our clients’ worlds, tastes, and preferences – inform everything we do at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Knowing that many clients enjoy chess — often at an extremely high level — we were inspired to create our own Chess Set as a natural evolution of the sense of hosting and occasion that defines the Rolls-Royce experience. Incorporating materials and the meticulous craft techniques our clients know and love from their motor car, the Chess Set is a discreet, beautiful, and authentic extension of our brand into their homes. It serves as a contemporary work of art in its own right, as well as a practical, playable game.” Nick Abrams, Accessories Designer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
Expertly crafted from ceramic-coated aluminum and crowned with polished stainless steel heads, the chess pieces represent a deliberate departure from conventional design, adopting a contemporary aesthetic that may require acclimatization for some players. Thoughtfully designed to evoke the tactile quality of solid-metal organ stops in Rolls-Royce motor cars, the black pieces are finished with a refined satin, and the white pieces with a sophisticated iridescent sheen.
Each chess piece has a discrete magnet built into its base, and matching magnets are placed underneath each board square. In addition to guaranteeing that the pieces stay precisely aligned during play, this arrangement gives each move made during the game what Rolls-Royce refers to as “a sense of precision and decisiveness.”
Rolls-Royce hasn’t mentioned a price—because if you have to ask, well, you probably can’t afford it. But hey, if your bank account is feeling particularly ambitious, the Rolls-Royce Chess Set is now up for commission at Rolls-Royce showrooms and those ultra-exclusive Private Office boutiques.
Good luck, future grandmaster of luxury.
Images Courtesy of Rolls-Royce
