Bringing together Contest’s and Bentley’s long-shared heritage in luxury performance and lifestyle, this unique collaboration of a one-off interior design for the 20-metre Contest 67CS is a celebration of heritage, craftsmanship, excellence and luxury.
In this collaboration, Bentley’s design team, more normally crafting interiors for the Continental GT and Bentayga, worked closely with Contest’s own team and interior designers Wetzels Brown Partners to create the unique interior – an exciting challenge pushing creative boundaries. Prototyping methods such as 3D printing were harnessed to confirm the feasibility of individual components, extending to a full mock-up of items prior to fit-out such as the bar and vanity unit created from scratch to the customer’s taste, to ensure the exacting finishes and demanding quality standards were met. Bentley’s iconic diamond quilted leather hides were then book-matched across the entire vessel interior with detailing including specialist techniques such as hand cross stitching, usually used to produce the Bentley steering wheel were adapted and adopted throughout.
This special commission now further enhances the collaboration model with a potential opening of creating automotive-inspired Contest yacht interiors.
“We are delighted to be working with Bentley Motors, adding the option of fully matched Bentley auto and yacht interiors to our portfolio,” says Contest CEO Arjen Conijn. “Previously for another enthusiast of both Contest and Bentley brands, we styled and fabricated a one-off example of our Contest 59CS. This new arrangement, though, takes our cooperation to quite another level, creating the option of an additional dedicated line of Bentley-featured Contest Yachts. We hold so many of the same beliefs and ambitions, it totally makes sense bringing our two fantastic ranges of prestigious luxury yachts and autos together.”
Dr Matthias Rabe, Member of the Board for Engineering at Bentley Motors, says, “Yacht interiors, like that of a car must be exact with precision detail. Whilst it was a challenge for our design teams to adapt their craft skills to a yacht interior, providing a totally bespoke extension to our automotive interiors for the water we are delighted with the result. The finished article is a testament to the incredible talent and skill of our craftsmen and women who rose to the challenge and pushed the boundaries of what is possible. It has been a pleasure to work with the Contest team - we share not only a renowned heritage in performance and luxury, but also the desire to continually innovate to provide cleaner, greener efficiencies in our work and production practices and output.”
Notes to Editors
Contest Yachts is a highly awarded Dutch builder of bespoke semi-custom luxury sailing cruisers equally capable of coastal, offshore and bluewater exploration. Using the best of materials, finest hand-crafting and innovative technology, each is built with extensive owner input to exactly match personal requirements. A third-generation, family-owned constructor, Contest Yachts’ design- and build-focus is on strong, light, sea-kindly and easily handled yachts to fulfil dreams. For more information or photographs, contact Annick Conijn at Contest Yachts on +31 (0)227 543 644, e-mail: annickconijn@contestyachts.com.
Bentley Motors is the most sought-after luxury car brand in the world. The company’s headquarters in Crewe is home to all of its operations including design, R&D, engineering, and production of the company’s five model lines, Continental GT, Continental GT Convertible, Flying Spur, Bentayga and Bentayga EWB. The combination of fine craftsmanship, using skills that have been handed down through generations, alongside engineering expertise and cutting-edge technology is unique to UK luxury car brands such as Bentley. It is also an example of high-value British manufacturing at its best. Bentley employs around 4,000 people at Crewe.
