BMW individual 760Li sterling by ROBBE & BERKING

BMW individual 760Li sterling inspired by ROBBE & BERKING
all images courtesy BMW group

the principles which the ‘BMW individual manufaktur’ has followed for more than 20 years now – one-off products, traditional craftsmanship, perfection – and the fulfillment of the most discerning requirements are being put-forth in the most valuable one-off that has emerged from the ‘BMW individual manufaktur’ line to date. the newest addition to the family comes in the form of the ‘BMW individual 760Li sterling’ a luxury sedan realized in collaboration with ROBBE & BERKING – the leading producer and supplier of silver cutlery worldwide. what began in the early 1990s as a bespoke BMW 750Li for karl lagerfeld has since evolved into a class of its own for customization at the very highest level.

from afar, the 760Li appears as a conspicuous car – deliberately so. in keeping with the concept of discreet luxury and exclusivity exuded by both parties, the BMW Individual 760Li sterling reveals its true colors upon closer inspection.

‘BMW and ROBBE & BERKING share far more than a passion for elegant, classic yachts – we apply the same standards to our products: in addition to pure technical utility, pleasing the customer is a foreground consideration,’ explains oliver berking, the fifth-generation owner and CEO of ROBBE & BERKING. ‘at the same time our products embody the ethos of the manufactory BMW – striving towards perfect craftsmanship and timeless elegance coupled with keen attention to the smallest detail.’

on the BMW individual 760Li sterling, the BMW exterior details are finished in silver — the kidney grille, the side and rear trim elements, model badges and tailpipe tips are finished in handworked ROBBE & BERKING solid silver plating.

‘it has a uniquely warm glow that instantly tells the connoisseur it is silver and not chrome or polished aluminium’, explains oliver berking on the difference between silver and other highly reflective metals.

the BMW logos on the bonnet and boot lid even incorporate solid 925 sterling silver. as a highlight, the ROBBE & BERKING specialists have also artistically applied the traditional blue and white colored enamel to the vehicle’s emblem.

sterling silver hammered inlays embellish all four handles

discreet ROBBE & BERKING lettering on the C-pillar

BMW individual fine-grain merino full-leather trim in amaro brown is used within the cockpit – the interior experience is capped by an alcantara roof liner likewise in the same colorway.

the head rests are conceived with the crescent and crown of the punch mark in embroidered form

all the trim strips are made of solid 925 hammered sterling silver

all hammered surfaces are solid 925 sterling silver – the trim surfaces of the BMW individual 760Li sterling showcase the punch mark with the crescent moon, which is the international symbol for silver; the crown, the symbol for germany, and finally the maker’s mark. also known as martelé, hammering is one of the oldest and most sophisticated techniques of the silversmith’s art. the depressions created by the hammer break up the light in numerous directions, lending the metal surface organic movement as well as embellishment. to achieve this, a highly polished sheet of silver is processed using a special hammer. no two hammer blows should fall on the same spot and yet the entire surface must be covered with equal force. one misplaced punch and the piece is no longer usable.