In Pursuit Of Perpetual Perfection

Rolls-Royce meets A. Lange & Söhne, JaegerLeCoultre, H. Moser & Cie., Parmigiani Fleurier, Greubel Forsey and Purnell.

- Martin Green

In 1904, a meeting at the Midland Hotel in Manchester, England, between The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce would mark the birth of one of the most iconic car brands in the world. This partnership was unique in many ways. While Charles Rolls was a member of the aristocracy, Henry Royce's father ran a flour mill.

There was also a substantial age difference between both gentlemen, with Rolls being born 14 years after Royce. However, this pales in comparison to what they had in common. First, they shared a passion for technology. They lived in exciting times, as industrialization and the introduction of electricity would change the world forever. For Royce, this was also a way to escape from his modest upbringing. After an apprenticeship with the Great Northern Railway, he worked shortly in a tool-making factory before joining the Electric Light and Power Company. At the age of 21, he set up his first business, making electric fittings for the domestic market, but at the turn of the century, Royce became increasingly interested in cars. As his company was very successful, he could afford them but quickly became disappointed by their quality. He thought of ways to make a better car and, as a true engineer, started building them.