Take the most modern timepiece in the world, place it in perhaps the most beautiful sports car of all time and set the whole thing in the midst of 1200 years of Bavarian monastic history. An Apple Watch, a 300 SL and the Polling monastery estate - how does that fit together? This apparent contradiction is resolved southwest of Munich. Embedded in the historical setting of the Polling monastery estate, Bavarian tradition meets engineering precision. In the completely renovated buildings of the "Alte Ziegelei", Hans Kleissl has created a place that is far more than just a workshop: It is the home of HK-Engineering.
A company that is considered unique worldwide, as it has consistently dedicated itself to a single task: perfecting and maintaining the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL. Now the legend of the gullwing meets the modern age in an extraordinary collaboration, with a very special example taking center stage.
The preserver
Hans Kleissl sees himself less as a dealer and more as a preservationist. For him, historical technology and architecture are inextricably linked. When he discovered the dilapidated monastery estate in Polling, he recognized the ideal location for his work. With the extensive renovation of the site, he followed a vision that he had already formulated at the end of the 1970s: "Historic vehicles in a suitable ambience". This idea was ahead of its time. Decades before concepts such as the "Meilenwerk" revolutionized the classic car scene, Kleissl already understood that a work of art needs a suitable setting.
The monoculture of perfection
The 300 SL is at the heart of his entrepreneurial work. Hans Kleissl laid the foundations for this back in 1979, when he gained valuable experience during the restoration of his own 300 SL Roadster. From this, he developed a clear philosophy: only through strict specialization and the constantly growing wealth of experience that comes with it can a technical quality standard be achieved that meets the high demands of these vehicles. When Kleissl consistently implemented this idea, he did pioneering work. HK-Engineering was the first company in the world to concentrate exclusively on the restoration, maintenance and sale of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL.
This focus on a single vehicle type enabled the accumulation of a wealth of knowledge over 35 years that is now considered the measure of all things. The maxim "passion, perfection and tradition" is not just an empty phrase in Polling, but part of everyday business life. To ensure the quality standard, Kleissl decided to take the difficult path of self-sufficiency: everything takes place in the company's own factory. From engine construction and the highly complex injection pump department to body construction and the paint shop. Employees from all over the world, each a master of their trade, work hand in hand here.
The in-house saddlery is particularly noteworthy. This is where seats, interior trim and soft tops are refurbished in the traditional manner. The master saddler there is regarded as one of the best in his field, a detail that will be of decisive importance for the recent history of the company.
Anatomy of a legend
But why all this effort for a single car model? To understand this, you have to look back to the 1950s. To this day, no sports car of that era triggers such a fascination as the 300 SL (W 198). Its genesis is a lesson in the art of engineering and a symbol of the German economic miracle.
The father of the original W 194 racing car, on which the later road car was based, was Rudolf Uhlenhaut. A multi-talented engineer who drove as fast on the racetrack as his own Formula 1 drivers. His ingenious idea was the tubular frame: extremely light and torsionally rigid, but with a design disadvantage. The frame extended too high through the flanks of the vehicle. The result: conventional doors became impossible. The solution was upward-opening entrances. What is now considered a trademark of the "Gullwing" was a pure technical necessity at the time.
The fact that the car went into series production at all is thanks to the American Max Hoffman. The importer urged the Daimler-Benz board of management to build the racing car, which had won the Carrera Panamericana in 1952, for the road. On February 6, 1954, the W 198 was presented in New York. The rest is history.
A piece of myth on the wrist
A partnership that combines analog aesthetics with digital technology builds the bridge to the present. The Munich-based brand Bandwerk operates at this interface.
Founded in 2015 by Jonas Burgmann, the company has established itself with a purist idea: the production of Apple Watch straps from original interior materials from classic vehicles. The concept preserves automotive history in wearable form, strictly limited and made from original interiors from iconic Porsche, BMW, Ferrari and Cadillac brands.
The "Special Edition Gullwing" has now been created in collaboration with HK-Engineering. For this collection, the characteristic blue and red check fabrics of the 300 SL were used, which come directly from the stocks of the Pollinger saddlery.
To celebrate this connection, impressive shots were taken with a vehicle that embodies precisely this aesthetic. The focus is on a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing from 1955, one of only ten examples ever built in the color "medium blue" (DB 350).
The history of this vehicle is complete: Delivered to New York on June 20, 1955, the car was first owned by Ronald G. Brock in Arizona for decades, according to the register. With a total mileage of less than 50,000 miles, the 300 SL is an exceptionally original example. In 1991, the gullwing moved to Italy into the hands of world-famous collector Umberto Panini, in whose collection it remained until 2022. The vehicle then went to HK-Engineering. There it underwent a careful restoration, received an original nitro paint job in the rare medium blue and a refresh of the light gray leather interior with the characteristic blue-checked seats, always under the premise of maximum originality.
Exclusively for our readers
The strictly limited "Special Edition Gullwing" is now available on the Bandwerk website.It is compatible for the Apple Watch models: Ultra 1-3, Series 7-11 in the sizes 46mm, 45mm & 42mm (The watch strap can also be fitted to watches with a 24mm lug, a spring bar tool is required).
We are pleased to be able to offer our readers a special benefit: With the code ZWISCHENGAS15 you will receive a 15% discount on this edition as well as on the entire range of Bandwerk special editions. If you order by December 17, you will receive your bracelet in time for Christmas.
To the product: Bandwerk special edition Gullwing
Further special editions from Bandwerk can be found here ...
