Your Rimowa Suitcase Can Now Make Espresso (Sort of)
It appears the Rimowa team is percolating with cool ideas.
The German maison just unveiled a new espresso machine with Italian outfit La Marzocco. The sleek design draws upon the heritage of both storied brands, combining La Marzocco’s impeccable craftsmanship with Rimowa’s unmistakable aesthetics. The brands have collectively clocked 223 years—La Marzocco was founded in Florence in 1927, while Rimowa was established in Cologne in 1898—meaning that a wealth of expertise has been poured into this creation.
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Based on La Marzocco’s Linea Mini, the compact dual-boiler machine is suited to seasoned baristas and coffee newbies alike. Advanced features like a brew-by-weight scale, a built-in shot timer, and a two-valve pre-infusion system will allow caffeine enthusiasts to create the perfect espresso at home. The iconic Rimowa design cues are the real draw, though.
The machine evokes the original 1930s aluminum suitcases that made the luxury luggage purveyor famous. Rimowa’s signature grooved aluminum runs across the solid stainless-steel body, elegantly complementing the aluminum brew paddle, paddle cover, portafilter, and feet. The two aluminum knobs showcase the La Marzocco and Rimowa logos, respectively. There is also a plate on the front inscribed with both company names.
The artisans at La Marzocco’s customization workshop in Florence will handcraft every machine. Each one will take the artisans 40 hours to complete, according to the brand. The grooved panels will built in Rimowa’s Cologne factory and installed using a traditional hand-bent method. The limited-edition machine will be available for pre-order starting April 15 and will be made to order, naturally. No word on pricing, but the regular Linea Mini starts at $5,900.
“Working alongside La Marzocco has been a real design exercise, with a result that celebrates the artistry of coffee-making while embracing German engineering and innovative design, and we’re proud to have been able to bring it to life,” Rimowa CEO Hugues Bonnet-Masimbert said in a statement.
In honor of the collab, La Marzocco and Rimowa are launching a pop-up in Milan. Caffè Rimowa will be open throughout the epic Salone del Mobile design show from April 15 to 21. Guests can enjoy an espresso made from the co-branded machine using a unique coffee blend specially crafted for the event.
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