Headlines

It’s Hard to Believe This $1.9M Diamond-Encrusted Harley Exists … But It Does!

Published

7 years ago

May 30, 2018

INSTORE Staff

Take a look at the ‘most expensive motorcycle in the world.’

Bucherer has worked with Bündnerbike, a Swiss custom Harley-Davidson workshop, to create a motorcycle encrusted with 360 diamonds.

This customized Harley-Davidson is encrusted with 360 diamonds. Credit: Bucherer.

With a value of CHF 1.888 million (US $1.9 million), it is “the most expensive motorcycle in the world,” according to a Bucherer press release.

In addition to the diamonds, the Harley-Davidson Blue Edition, based on a Harley-Davidson Softail Slim S, has gold-plated screws, two safes that are integrated into the tank and contain a one-of-a-kind watch from Carl F. Bucherer, and rings from Bucherer Fine Jeweller. Bucherer considers the bike to be an addition to its Blue Editions watch collection.

It took the watchmakers of Carl F. Bucherer, the jewelers of Bucherer Fine Jewellery and the specialists of Bündnerbike a year to design and produce the motorcycle. A team of eight employees from both companies contributed.

The Dizzler rotating ring from the Bucherer Fine Jewellery collection was adapted for the Harley-Davidson Blue Edition to allow it to be mounted on the hand grips.

“That was a technical challenge,” said Jürg Ludwig Jr., managing director of Bündnerbike. “To ensure that the rings really stay in place, a special method was applied that guarantees a very strong hold. How this works remains a secret of the Bündnerbike blacksmith.”

Another pair of Dizzler diamond rings can be found on the forks, while a large version of the Dizzler ring is located in the left half of the tank.

Under a glass dome made from armored glass, another piece of jewelry can be found in a retractable safe: a six-prong Heaven solitaire ring with a 5.40-carat diamond. The custom-made watch from Carl F. Bucherer, based on the Patravi TravelTec II model, is located in a second safe in the right half of the tank. The dial is adorned by elements of a motorcycle engine. To ensure that the vibrations of the engine do not damage the mechanical movement, the watch is housed in a cage with an elaborate holder made from silicon rings.

“It was a long road,” said Samir Merdanovic, head of manufacture movements at Carl F. Bucherer, about the development process. “The holder, for example, also serves as a watch winder. The watch is therefore wound regularly and continues to run, even if the motorcycle is not ridden for an extended period.”

The owner can also look forward to wearing another unique Carl F. Bucherer watch. It has been created by the manufacturer exclusively for the buyer and incorporates design elements of the motorcycle and its engine on the dial.

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After 45 years serving the Milwaukee community, Treiber & Straub Jewelers owner Michael Straub faced a significant life transition. At 75, the veteran jeweler made a personal decision many business owners understand: "I think it's time. I want to enjoy my wife with my grandchildren for the next 10, 15 years." Wilkerson's expertise transformed this major business transition into an extraordinary success. Their comprehensive approach to managing the going-out-of-business sale created unprecedented customer response—with lines forming outside the store and limits on how many shoppers could enter at once due to fire safety regulations. The results exceeded all expectations. "Wilkerson did a phenomenal job," Straub enthuses. "They were there for you through the whole thing, helped you with promoting it, helping you on day-to-day business. I can't speak enough for how well they did." The partnership didn't just facilitate a business closing; it created a celebratory finale to decades of service while allowing Straub to confidently step into his well-earned retirement.