The Bucherer Blue Edition is what happens when one of Switzerland's most exclusive watchmakers joins forces with the most iconic motorcycle brand in America. Mixing American engineering and Swiss craftsmanship, the team behind it created what is widely called the most expensive motorcycle ever built, with a price tag of 1.79 million USD. It is less a daily rider than a rolling jewel box, and it has fascinated collectors since its 2018 unveiling in Zurich.
What makes the Harley-Davidson Blue Edition so special?
It took 2500 hours to complete the motorcycle, uniting Bucherer and custom workshop Bündnerbike in an 8-man team. They started with a Harley-Davidson Softail Slim S, but the result is nothing like the original. The entire frame was rebuilt and now features a sculpted engine "cage" that pairs with the custom wheels. Many parts are gold plated, including the custom girder fork up front. The engine is illuminated from inside by heat-resistant LEDs and the camshaft is visible through a transparent panel. A Swiss handmade seat replaces the original, and the body wears a striking blue paint built up in six layers. As Hypebeast reported, hundreds of diamonds and gold-plated screws are integrated into the tank.
Where does the Swiss watchmaker come in?
Glad you asked. On the right side of the tank, an exclusive Carl Bucherer watch sits inside a special container display, mounted on a watch winder so the timepiece stays accurate even when the bike sits idle for long stretches. On the left side, a 5.4 carat diamond ring rests in a similar dome. To protect these jewels from the motorcycle's vibrations, the containers are reinforced with silicone rings to dampen shock. As Maxim notes, the jewels and gold accents everywhere help explain the seven-figure price tag.
Is the Blue Edition meant to be ridden?
While this is a capable motorcycle with a 1.8L V-twin engine, we doubt it will ever see the open road in full freedom. It is more of a garage queen than an asphalt muncher, a collector's piece built to be admired as much as ridden.
Where to find custom Harley-Davidson motorcycles
If the Blue Edition stirs your taste for one-off custom builds, TheArsenale's motorcycles collection is full of hand-built machines you can actually own. Harley fans should look at the Harley-Davidson 1200 Roadster Desert Wolf and the Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114 by Nash Motorcycles, alongside the bespoke Devil by VV Motorcycles. For the watch-and-bike crossover that defines the Blue Edition, the Anicorn x TheArsenale designer watch carries that same collector spirit.
Ready to own a true collector's motorcycle? Explore the full TheArsenale motorcycles collection.
