Where superyachts are born

Updated 6:58 AM ET, Tue September 17, 2013

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It would be difficult to miss this luxurious 26-meter yacht cruising the waves. But what about the workshop where it was built? In this series of striking images, British photographer Benedict Redgrove was given a sneak peek into the hidden world of the Wally Yachts boatyard in Monaco.

Photos: Where superyachts are born

Where's Wally? – It would be difficult to miss this luxurious 26-meter yacht cruising the waves. But what about the workshop where it was built? In this series of striking images, British photographer Benedict Redgrove was given a sneak peek into the hidden world of the Wally Yachts boatyard in Monaco.

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Founded in 1994, Wally Yachts is the design and manufacture company behind some of the most innovative -- and expensive -- superyachts in the world. Here, the 50-meter boat "Better Place" takes shape -- one of the largest carbon fiber sailboats ever built by the firm.

Photos: Where superyachts are born

Big business – Founded in 1994, Wally Yachts is the design and manufacture company behind some of the most innovative -- and expensive -- superyachts in the world. Here, the 50-meter boat "Better Place" takes shape -- one of the largest carbon fiber sailboats ever built by the firm.

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From sailboats to speedboats, the 26-meter "Wally Ace" (pictured) features a fuel-efficient engine able to travel from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean on one tank of diesel.

Photos: Where superyachts are born

Bright white – From sailboats to speedboats, the 26-meter "Wally Ace" (pictured) features a fuel-efficient engine able to travel from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean on one tank of diesel.

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"The way I shoot is quite clean and graphic," said Redgrove, who splits his time between London and New York. "I wanted to show a beautiful and clean environment."

Photos: Where superyachts are born

Clean cut – "The way I shoot is quite clean and graphic," said Redgrove, who splits his time between London and New York. "I wanted to show a beautiful and clean environment."

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Redgrove's stark images offer a rare glimpse into the exclusive world of superyacht design, where Wally vessels can cost as much as $30 million. The company is the only boat builder to win the prestigious Compasso d'Oro award for industrial design twice -- in 2004 and 2008. Its groundbreaking projects have included the world's fastest motor yacht and a floating island.

Photos: Where superyachts are born

Behind the scenes – Redgrove's stark images offer a rare glimpse into the exclusive world of superyacht design, where Wally vessels can cost as much as $30 million. The company is the only boat builder to win the prestigious Compasso d'Oro award for industrial design twice -- in 2004 and 2008. Its groundbreaking projects have included the world's fastest motor yacht and a floating island.

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While the workshop appears white as snow, Redgrove revealed it was actually sweltering. "Inside the Wally 'Better Place' yacht, it was disgustingly hot, there was no air conditioning, and you have a lot of men working -- so we all sweated a lot," he told CNN.

Photos: Where superyachts are born

Ship shape – While the workshop appears white as snow, Redgrove revealed it was actually sweltering. "Inside the Wally 'Better Place' yacht, it was disgustingly hot, there was no air conditioning, and you have a lot of men working -- so we all sweated a lot," he told CNN.

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Luckily for Redgrove, he wasn't in the workshop for long, heading out on to the open waves for an action photo shoot. "It was an early start at sunrise," he said. "I was trying to get a shot from another boat, to get a dramatic angle over the waves. It was quite difficult and felt like we were in a James Bond movie."

Photos: Where superyachts are born

Water works – Luckily for Redgrove, he wasn't in the workshop for long, heading out on to the open waves for an action photo shoot. "It was an early start at sunrise," he said. "I was trying to get a shot from another boat, to get a dramatic angle over the waves. It was quite difficult and felt like we were in a James Bond movie."

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