Rocket Giotto Rapha: Limited-Edition Espresso Machine

If you've ever admired the build quality of Italian machines and wanted a high-end espresso setup that feels as refined as your daily ride, there’s now a unique collaboration that blends precision espresso with British cycling heritage. This isn't just another stylish home machine — it's a rare piece built for enthusiasts who demand both performance and provenance.

The Rocket Giotto Rapha Espresso Machine is a limited-edition model: only 200 were made, each priced at €1,700. It’s based on the classic Rocket Giotto but customized with Rapha’s signature design touches.

What Is the Rocket Giotto Rapha Espresso Machine?

The Rocket Giotto Rapha Espresso Machine is a special-edition, semi-professional espresso machine created through a partnership between UK cycling apparel brand Rapha and Italian espresso machine manufacturer Rocket Espresso Milano. Built on the foundation of Rocket’s compact Giotto model, it retains much of the original technical layout but is upgraded with a distinctive Rapha aesthetic. The machine weighs 23 kilograms and is finished in stainless steel. Most of its construction mirrors the original Giotto, but the pressure gauge’s bezel is pink, and it features a custom Rapha Cycle Clue badge. Each unit also comes with three handcrafted Rapha-branded espresso cups, each engraved with a unique serial number.

Technical Specifications and Features

This machine is equipped with a dual-boiler system, both constructed from pure copper, with a combined capacity of 1.8 litres. It uses a heat exchange system (also referred to as a thermosyphon or heat exchanger) to maintain optimal brewing temperatures. Temperature and pressure adjustments are available for fine-tuning extraction. The Giotto Rapha includes a professional-grade Faema E61 group head, a fluid-driven commercial rotary pump, and dual pressure gauges — one for boiler pressure and one for pump pressure. It supports both direct plumbing and manual water tank filling. The inclusion of a heat exchange boiler allows for simultaneous brewing and steaming, a key feature for home baristas who want to mimic café workflows.

The Legacy of the Giotto Espresso Machine

The original Giotto model was first developed by Italian manufacturer Espresso Company Milano (ECM) in the 1990s and quickly became a favourite among specialty coffee professionals for its reliable performance and compact footprint. ECM discontinued the Giotto line in 2007 to focus on larger commercial machines. The production rights were later acquired by New Zealander Jeff Kennedy, who co-founded Rocket Espresso Milano with Daniele Berenbruch — son of ECM’s founder, Frederich Berenbruch. Rocket continued manufacturing the Giotto and introduced the Cellini series as an extension of the original design. The Giotto is known for its Faema E61 group head, 1.8L heat exchange copper boiler, commercial-grade rotary pump, and dual pressure gauges. Its build quality and temperature stability have made it a long-standing choice for serious home baristas.

About Rocket Espresso Milano

Rocket Espresso Milano emerged after the discontinuation of the Giotto by ECM. With production expertise and original tooling still in place, Rocket took over manufacturing under the leadership of Jeff Kennedy and Daniele Berenbruch. The company preserved the Giotto’s design and functionality while expanding the lineup to include variations like the Cellini. Rocket machines are known for combining traditional engineering with modern performance, and the Giotto remains one of their most respected models due to its consistent temperature control and durable build.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Rocket Giotto Rapha different from a standard Giotto?

The Rocket Giotto Rapha is visually customized with a pink pressure gauge, a Rapha Cycle Clue badge, and is packaged with three Rapha-branded espresso cups, each featuring a unique serial number. Functionally, it retains the same specifications as the standard Giotto, including the dual copper boilers, heat exchange system, E61 group head, and pressure-adjustment features.

How many Rocket Giotto Rapha machines were made?

Only 200 units of the Rocket Giotto Rapha Espresso Machine were produced as a limited edition.

What is the price of the Rocket Giotto Rapha?

Each Rocket Giotto Rapha Espresso Machine is priced at €1,700.

Does the Rocket Giotto Rapha have a heat exchange boiler?

Yes, the Rocket Giotto Rapha uses a 1.8-litre dual copper heat exchange boiler system, which allows for simultaneous brewing and steaming with stable temperature control.

What features does the Giotto Rapha share with the original Giotto?

The Giotto Rapha shares the same professional-grade Faema E61 group head, dual pressure gauges, 1.8-litre boiler capacity, commercial rotary pump, and options for both plumbed-in and tank water sources as the original Giotto.

Who manufactures the Rocket Giotto Rapha?

It is manufactured by Rocket Espresso Milano, which acquired the production rights to the original Giotto after ECM discontinued the line in 2007.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Home Espresso

For use with the Rocket Giotto Rapha, FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Guji Humbera offers vibrant floral and citrus notes with a juicy body — ideal for highlighting the machine’s temperature stability. Their Yirgacheffe Fresh Crop highlights berry and stone fruit tones, pairing well with the E61 group’s classic thermal performance. Both beans are roasted to highlight clarity and sweetness, making them excellent choices for dialling in precise extractions on a semi-professional machine. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.