Rolls-Royce debuted the Metropolitan Collection Phantom at the Paris motor show on Thursday, a limited edition run of bespoke cars that pay homage to the architecture of modern metropolises. The company will be offering just 20 examples of the Phantom Metropolitan Collection for commissioning, which will feature detailed marquetry applied to the picnic tables, dashboard overlays, and interior door elements.

The marquetry that will be used in the Metropolitan Collection Phantoms will consist of as many as 500 individual wood veneer pieces. The process of hand-cutting, coloring, shaping, and applying the veneer pieces is said to take days for each of the wood trim pieces that will be a part of the interior.

"I can think of no more fitting location than Paris to debut this remarkable new motor car," said Torsten Muller-Otvos, chief executive officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. "This is a city that echoes Rolls-Royce’s brand promise in perfectly combining the timeless and modern in a manner that celebrates the art of the master craftsperson."

The marquetry won't be the only thing which will set these Phantoms apart, as each of the 20 Metropolitan Collection cars will feature a special aetherius gray leather color created to represent the color palette of modern cities. Another unique touch will be a rotating bezel showing the names of 24 of the great cities of the world positioned on the central console, displaying the cities' time zones.

Both sides of the tables will have city skyling motifs.

The Metropolitan Collection Phantom shown at the Paris motor show is finished in darkest tungsten, meant to evoke the hue of modern cities, though Rolls-Royce says that the full range of 44,000 exterior colors can be specified for a car that's a part of this limited edition.

We can't quite place the architecture of the buildings depicted in the veneers of the Metropolitan Collection, but they remind us more of the CGI buildings in the Chris Nolan film "Inception" than the office buildings in Paris' La Defense financial district. The buildings depicted in the veneers suggest a North American skyline with a touch of Art Deco aesthetic more than anything else -- certainly more than the skylines of Beijing, Dubai, or Moscow, three of the cities included on the clock.

The Metropolitan Collection follows up on the Pinnacle Travel Edition Phantom that debuted in Beijing a few months ago, featuring motifs of early 20th century luxury trains.

About the Paris Motor Show

The Paris motor show -- or as it is officially known, Mondial de l’Automobile -- occurs every two years, alternating with the Frankfurt motor show in Germany. It's a spotlight for the latest in design, but automakers will also show off their latest concept cars, green cars and supercars. Check out all the action from the 2014 Paris motor show right here.

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