THE GRANDMASTER’S CHOICE
- Rolls-Royce introduces Rolls-Royce Chess Set, designed to be enjoyed in clients’ homes
- Opens in a single theatrical motion, echoing the sense of occasion of a Rolls-Royce
- Features hidden drawers and sculptural, ceramic-coated magnetized pieces
- Crafted with meticulous attention to detail; the result of one year of design, engineering and experimentation
- Available in four veneer finishes, with a choice of 13 leather colors
- Celebrates and elevates the strategy game enjoyed by many Rolls-Royce clients
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars presents the Rolls-Royce Chess Set, a contemporary expression of one of the world’s most revered games of strategy that transcends cultures and generations, echoing the spirit of hosting and shared experience that defines the marque’s other lifestyle offerings. The chess pieces are ceremoniously unveiled, capturing the same sense of occasion as the arrival of a Rolls-Royce motor car. Handcrafted using the marque’s signature materials and techniques, it offers numerous opportunities for individualization.
HIDDEN DRAWERS AND MAGNETISED PIECES
The Chess Set was designed to capture a sense of movement: the leather-clad base rises gently from the center, referencing the waft lines of the marque’s motor cars as it appears to float on its narrow footprint.
The playing board opens in a smooth, single theatrical motion to reveal a leather-lined holder that slowly elevates, presenting the magnetically held pieces – a movement reminiscent of the coach doors opening on a Rolls-Royce motor car. For an effortless experience, magnets hidden beneath the playing surface ensure the pieces remain perfectly aligned during play, lending each move a sense of precision and decisiveness. The design team experimented with six different types of magnets to identify the optimal strength that secures the pieces yet allows them to float effortlessly across the board. A discreet drawer on each side of the board, opened with a light touch, contains an additional queen to take the place of a piece that has been promoted during the game.
Both the generously sized board and the chess piece holder are framed with polished aluminum edges. A polished aluminum Spirit of Ecstasy emblem is discreetly affixed to the front and back of the Chess Set, signifying its provenance.
Each set is meticulously crafted by hand. The aluminum grid of the board is machine milled, then further refined by hand to achieve the precise definition of the corners – a delicate process, as the fine metal bends easily. The veneer squares are laser cut and then precisely placed on the board by hand. Each of the veneer pieces is crafted from the same log to achieve a consistent pattern in the natural grain, ensuring the wood will age uniformly over the years.
