From timepieces to villas, four ways 3D printing is used for luxury

In our focus on consumer AM this month, it would be a shame not to highlight an area that has been a small but important driver of 3D printing adoption: luxury goods. In this segment, which prioritizes bespoke designs, limited editions and innovation, additive manufacturing has been something of a natural fit. In this article, we are looking at four recent examples of 3D printing being used for luxury commodities, from large-scale products like villas and cars, to smaller designer items like watches and handbags.

Bentley’s Batur with 3D printed gold accents

Just last week, luxury carmaker Bentley revealed details about the one-of-a-kind Black Rose Batur, a $2.1 million car with bespoke design elements, including a drive mode selector, steering wheel insert marker and organ stop vent controls all 3D printed from pure rose gold. The vehicle, manufactured by Bentley’s Mulliner division with inputs from the client, is one of just 18 Batur units, each of which has special customizations.

The impressive car also features carbon ceramic brakes, Beluga leather interior elements and a custom Black Rose metallic paint job. The 3D printed 18-karat rose gold accents—totalling 210 grams—were made in collaboration with Cooksongold, a leader in the 3D printing of precious metals. The luxury automaker also specifies that the gold used in the vehicle is made from 100% recycled jewelry.

Owners of the very limited edition Batur were able to customize their vehicle in a number of ways, with luxury finishes and accents ranging from aerospace-inspired titanium parts, special wood, leather-like biomaterials and, as we’ve seen, 3D printed gold.

3D printed handbag worn in Emily in Paris

If you haven’t seen Netflix’s mega-hit Emily in Paris, then you should at least know that the show has been influential in the fashion world, spotlighting luxury designs from up-and-coming designers from around the globe. In the most recent season, one of these designers was Incxnnue, a Paris-based label that specializes in making handbags that combine 3D printing with more traditional leatherwork techniques.

The handbag, which featured rather prominently, is the COMETE, a petal-shaped purse that retails for €520 and is made from 3D printed silicone. Silicone 3D printing itself is at the cutting-edge of additive manufacturing technologies, and only a select few companies have developed technologies to do it. Among them is Lynxter, a French company that has brought to market a 3D printer capable of printing silicone, the S300X – LIQ21|LIQ11. This platform was used to print elements of the Incxnnue handbag (designed by founder Laura Deweilde) using silicone and grape anthocyanins.

These 3D printed elements were then integrated by hand onto a leather structure. In addition to COMETE, the label makes other 3D printed hangbags, including NEWTON, which is made from calfskin leather and a 3D printing material loaded with oyster shell powder, and PRYSME, whose unique design has the impression of being cracked.

Luxury villas in Lonavala, India

We’ve covered a number of stories about construction 3D printing being used to make affordable homes and even social housing, but the technology is also being used to develop high-end accommodations. One such project is being spearheaded by Stayzation Lifestyle, a leading company in India’s luxury vacation real estate, and Blackwell 3D Construction Corp. Together, the companies are planning to build luxury villas in Lonavala, a verdant area in western India just a couple hours from Mumbai.

The construction has yet to break ground, but Blackwell is currently providing consultation services to the luxury real estate company, including a feasibility study, regulatory guidance and a technology evaluation. “With Blackwell 3D’s printing technology, we are eager to innovate and bring a new level of sophistication, sustainability and efficiency to our villa developments. This partnership marks an exciting step in revolutionizing luxury real estate,” said Ajaz Khan, CEO of Stayzation Lifestyle.

Another notable example of more high-end 3D printed architecture comes from Czechia, where a 3D printed cable car station was recently completed by partners ATELIER3M and construction firm ICE. The build, the highest 3D printed structure in the world, features a grand lookout and integrates several sustainable elements, including a green roof and natural airflow.

Custom 3D printed watches by Exotime

Italian startup Exotime came onto the luxury timepiece market in 2024 with the launch of the Exotime Pioneer, a watch made using a combination of metal additive manufacturing and hand-crafting methods—a fusion that the company prides itself on. The watch features a number of 3D printed components, including the case, bezel, crown and buckle, which are 3D printed from 17-4PH stainless steel using Desktop Metal’s metal binder jetting technology. In producing these components, Exotime has worked with Elmec 3D, an industrial AM service also based in Italy.

The luxury timepiece not only features intricately designed 3D printed elements, it is also polished by hand and can be ornamented with hand-carved stones, such as onyx, mother of pearl, lapis lazuli, red jasper and blood jasper. Why has Exotime opted to use metal AM—and specifically binder jetting—for its watch production? There are a couple of key reasons. First, binder jetting enables them to create intricate metal shapes without the need for supports. Second, Exotime is interested in exploiting customization made possible through AM technologies. On this front, Exotime has an online configuration platform through which customers can choose from a variety of customizations, including type of watch face (classic or dynamic dial), color finish for the watch face, preferred lettering style, the type of stone set in the bezel and the style of handmade leather strap.

“At the heart of everything we do is Italian craftsmanship,” says the watchmaking company. “Each Exotime watch is the result of a harmonious fusion between tradition and innovation. From classic stone working techniques to the most advanced metal 3D printing processes, every detail is taken care of with obsessive attention.” For that added touch of luxe, Exotime also 3D prints the packaging for its €2,497 Pioneer timepiece, which is made from a bio-based material filled with granite powder.