49 YEARS of Excellence and Exclusivity from Pforzheim, Germany

“The Wellendorff Rope is the queen of all neck chains.” — Hanspeter Wellendorff

Without a doubt, one of the most difficult professional decisions that Wellendorff have made. During July, 2026, Wellendorff announced the last PRINZESSE was manufactured at the family manufactory. With their departure, a special chapter in Wellendorff’s history comes to an end after 49 years.

Why?

Christoph Wellendorff stated that…. “Because we want to say THANK YOU to all Wellendorff collectors around the world. The number of these iconic rope necklaces is now permanently limited. A bestseller is becoming a rarity."  

But not the memories associated with them. For almost five decades, the SILKY, COMTESSE and PRINZESSE rope necklaces have been a part of life’s most beautiful moments: as a token of love, as a reminder of personal happiness and as a symbol of special achievements.

THE DEVELOPMENT
The Wellendorff rope owes its exceptional suppleness to a craft that has been preserved in our manufactory for generations. Using wafer-thin 18-carat gold wire, the finest gold spirals are painstakingly crafted by hand and woven together to form the rope’s distinctive strands.

THE SECRET OF THE ROPE
Hidden within each strand is a secret soul made of 18-carat gold. It gives the rope its unique balance of stability and flexibility. The result is something that is far more than just a necklace: The feeling of golden silk.

SILKY-SOFT GOLD
Like in a fairy tale, at the Wellendorff manufactory, 18-karat gold is spun into very fine threads that are hand-twisted into three flexible ropes. Apparent opposites are brought together, and solid gold feels as soft as silk on the skin.

THE SECRET SOUL
Inside the three gold strands, a secret 18-karat gold soul provides the perfect balance between the Wellendorff rope’s stability and flexibility. The result is a unique wearing experience - like the feeling of golden silk.

THE FINEST CRAFTSMANSHIP
The rope’s gold strands are expertly handcrafted by the goldsmiths. The gentle twisting of the gold wire creates an unparalleled feeling, so fine that it even the hair cannot get caught.

A recap of the artistry and charms of each creation

SILKY
The classic Wellendorff rope – a decades-old icon from the manufactory – is crafted by hand from the finest 18-karat gold wire and is known worldwide for its indescribably delicate feel. Featuring three gold strands woven together, the SILKY. necklace is the finest rope from the “Classic” generation and exudes youthful weightlessness and elegance.

COMTESSE
With the COMTESSE necklace, Wellendorff's master goldsmiths introduced the third dimension of gold-smithing: the combination of an elegant design, timeless value and an incomparably enjoyable wearing experience. This necklace, consisting of four silky-soft gold strands woven together, is a reliable everyday companion.

PRINCESS
Wellendorff’s “Classic” design is handcrafted from the finest 18-karat gold wire and is world renowned for its silky-soft feel. With seven silky-soft gold strands woven together, the PRINCESS necklace is the most expressive rope from the “Classic” generation and exudes pure elegance.  We invite you to visit our boutiques to discover the remaining inventory at Bandiera Jewellers.