“In a world of disposable, throwaway, cheap products, there is a sense of authenticity to Rimowa’s sturdy but dented luggage,” said Charles J. Skuba, emeritus professor in marketing and international business at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. “The dents are a badge of travel combat for the sophisticated traveler, as is the continued endorsement by some people who have also had some real-life experiences over the years.”

Experiences such as Lewis Hamilton’s appearance at the Grand Prix in Azerbaijan last September with a Rimowa Crossbody Bag casually slung over his shoulder. Within hours, Esquire declared it “the sickest bag of the year.” Hamilton’s fluted aluminum murse was new out of the box, so it had no dents or scratches yet. Give it time.