Sporting a design inspired by the Sphinx 12mR yacht — known as the “night-blue beauty”, the first classic wooden yacht restored by Robbe & Berking, in the history of sailing yachts — which was manufactured in 1939, Mercedes-Benz has whipped the wraps off an “exclusively refined” Mercedes-Maybach S-Class to mark the 150th anniversary of the Flensburg silver manufactory.
The 21.48-metre-long Sphinx was built in 1939 by the Abeking & Rasmussen boatyard as a club ship for the North German Regatta Association (NRV) in Hamburg. In 2005, passionate sailor Oliver Berking, together with two friends, bought the yacht. With great attention to detail they restored the racing yacht according to the original plans.
The anniversary Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, which is based on the S680 derivative, features the same two-tone paint finish as the yacht: nautical blue metallic and bright red. The hues are separated by an opalite white metallic filigree pinstripe to match the yacht’s white waterline.
Inside, the bespoke S680 is upholstered in crystal white Maybach Manufaktur Exclusive Nappa leather, replete with diamond quilting. The latter material has been carried over to the pews, headliner, door panels and stowage compartment below the central display. Orion great contrast stitching is also present on selected areas of the interior. “Exclusive” walnut wood trim, replete with aluminium strips, can also be found around the cabin.
“Like the yacht Sphinx, our exclusive Mercedes-Maybach S-Class anniversary vehicle epitomises craftsmanship, elegance and attention to detail. We congratulate Robbe & Berking on their anniversary and look forward to continuing our successful collaboration,” Daniel Lescow, Head of Mercedes-Maybach, Mercedes-Benz Group AG.
Oliver Berking, Managing Director of Robbe & Berking GmbH added, “This wonderful anniversary vehicle is another sign of the friendship that has long connected Maybach and Robbe & Berking. We are also united by shared passions: craftsmanship, the finest materials and timelessly beautiful lines — on the road as well as on the water and on the table.”