It seems like a strange “gift with purchase,” even for a world-class luxury ride: a six-figure wristwatch. Well, when it comes to the Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail, the breath-taking British luxury car comes with a timeless companion, an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT (A mouthful, right?). Let’s dive into the stratospheric opulence that is the Rolls-Royce and its timekeeping statement piece. 

Introducing the Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail, a lesson in lavishness

It’s most likely the single name in automotive culture most associated with over-the-top opulence and striking style: Rolls-Royce. For nearly 120 years, the British marque has been building motorcars. Today, fans expect no less than the most extravagant vehicles on four wheels. 

Enter the Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail, an open-air luxury car that the brand bills as “art in motion.” What’s more, the marque used the Black Baccara rose as inspiration for the long-body luxury car. According to Hodinkee, the rose transforms from a mysterious black to a regal dark burgundy color, a palet captured by the La Rose Noire Droptail’s intricate geometric dash panel of black wood triangles simulating falling petals. 

Of course, the sum of a Rolls-Royce is more than dash paneling and inspiration; it’s rare, valuable materials and hand-built execution. The Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail is no different, given its status as the first custom droptail commission. Of course, like most new Rolls-Royce builds, the hood conceals an effortlessly powerful mill. In this case, the La Rose Noire Droptail packs a 593-horsepower 6.7L V12. Still, no one buys a Rolls-Royce for its 0-60 mph times. 

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT sits elegantly recessed in the dash Rolls-Royce’s panel

A dip into the La Rose Noire Droptail reveals a plainly apparent statement piece: a recessed display framing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT, a 43mm titanium wristwatch. A push of a button raises the watch from its hold by extending two panels, not unlike a blooming rose. 

Like the disappearing act that the “Spirit of Ecstacy” hood ornament will perform on Rolls-Royce models, the timepiece is a spectacle within an event of a luxury car. Moreover, a current production Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT can fetch around $250,000, more than a 2024 McLaren Artura. 

What is a droptail luxury car?

A droptail, like the La Rose Noire model, is one of Rolls-Royce’s four full-size open-air luxury car models. Each “coachbuild” will be customized by the commissioner and will fetch upwards of $30 million. 

Why would a luxury car like a Rolls-Royce include a statement wristwatch?

Timepiece makers have a history of teaming up with automakers for motorsport applications, like Rolex and its long-term sponsorship of international races. Fans of luxury associate high-end watches and vehicles with status, so it stands to reason that a marque like Rolls-Royce would partner up with watchmakers. 

It’s not the first time that a British manufacturer teamed up with an unlikely partner, either. Aston Martin collaborated with Bowmore in Islay, Scotland, to produce a one-off single-malt scotch whisky. As a result, fans should expect more wild and shocking collaborations from brands like Rolls-Royce.

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