Schott leather riders, 996 GT3s, Charlotte Perriandโs โOmbreโ chair: itโs a small (but very discerning) club when it comes to โstuff that ages wellโ. To that list, weโd make it a point โ if you havenโt already โ to add the words โRIMOWA Original Cabinโ.
Hands-down one of the most recognisable luggage silhouettes of the 20th century, this anodised silver carry-on is, to lovers of object design, what the Meisterhรคuser is to students of the Bauhaus: the singular distillation of an all-encompassing manifesto.
Anchored around the ethos of โfunctional luxuryโ, all of RIMOWAโs aluminium suitcases โ Original Cabin included โ are made and assembled in Germany. In the brandโs Kรถln atelier, an army of technicians variously hammer, rivet, and hand-balance the caseโs unmistakable metal grooves diligently.
RELATED: RIMOWAโs โHammerschlagโ Collection Is An Ode To Golden Age Travel
The fruit of such methodical labour? A silver bullet of a bag: with the sleek lines of a Bombardier railcar, and build quality backed courtesy of RIMOWAโs lifetime guarantee (introduced for all suitcases purchased after 25 July, 2022).
Believe it or not though, even when your Original Cabin reaches the end of the factory line, thatโs only the beginning of its story. In fact, by the admission of RIMOWAโs own execs, โa pristine case is still a work in progressโ; and, itโs the act of travel โ across cobbled footpaths and in overhead storage bins โ that serves to mint the worldโs most desirable suitcase.
Ultimately, even though every aluminium RIMOWA case is a unique reflection of its ownerโs personal journey, you can expect the functional stuff to demonstrate first-class consistency.
The brandโs signature twin lock system is a cinch to get open at the TSA; the Flex Dividerโs hook-and-pile fasteners provide great adjustability whilst packing your belongings; and (in stark contrast to all the D2C luggage brands you avoid online) your Original Cabinโs handle is engineered with a single, stage-free construction โ when smooth manoeuvrability is a must.
No other feature, however, captures the propulsive โnever stillโ pace of the RIMOWA owner quite like the brandโs Multiwheelยฎ system. Overengineered in the extreme (and we mean that as a compliment), this proprietary platform consists of four wheels, each mounted with ball bearings and its own individually cushioned axel.
That makes for a tougher suitcase in situations when your journey gets bumpy: because lifeโs journeys arenโt always going to be in business class seats and across plush hotel lobbies.
While RIMOWA offers its aluminium Original Cabin in three renditions, the โSilverโ colourway is the ideal for travellers who want their luggage to double as a personal statement.
Perfectly universal and designed โwith longevity in mindโ, thereโs a reason why this trend-proof style is at the heart of the brandโs new Engineered For Life campaign. Dents and scuffs flatter the cool, ever-so-slightly reflective exterior; and, when a quick detour to the nearest in-store repairer isnโt in the cards, a well-placed sticker is as functional and it is fashionable.
If thatโs not a peak example of โstuff, aged wellโ, then frankly, we donโt know what is.
This article is presented in partnership with Rimowa. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Boss Hunting.
