Take a look at your new cell phone. Does it offer longer battery life, better images or truly new technology in an attractively designed package?
For the last decade or so, luxury cell phones have been at the forefront of combining up-to-date technology with exclusive conveniences, while at the same time avoiding mass-deployed glitches and unexceptional design elements.
One company at the forefront of this exclusive high-end mobile phone market is Vertu.
Vertu introduced the Signature in 2002 after four years of planning and production. Having brought together minds from the automotive, aerospace and jewelry sectors, Vertu has continued to create exclusive technologies and has even gone on to partner with popular names like Ferrari and Italia Independent for special editions.
One of Vertu’s unique elements is its concierge service. Forget the voice recognition software of mainstream mobile devices, Vertu offers a live concierge available 24 hours, seven days a week. Accessible through call, email or live chat, the service can book tickets, make reservations, make suggestions and more. Moreover, Vertu hasn’t limited the service as it has representatives fluent in languages including English, French, Italian, German, Arabic, simplified Chinese and Russian.
Vertu offers special privileges including private members’ clubs and invitations to the world’s best events like Fashion Week and the Oscars. Additionally, each customer has a personalized profile filtering dynamic material to suit your interests including Vertu-exclusive articles from correspondents around the world.
Most recently, Vertu launched the Ti. The model combines the technical prowess of Android 4.0 with its 1.7 GHz processor. Additionally, the Ti boasts 1 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal memory. A single craftsman assembles each piece from 184 parts and signs each creation ensuring its originality.
Design elements include titanium casing, a 3.7” sapphire crystal screen, leather and a ruby button for Vertu-exclusive services.
“Vertu Ti is our most significant product for a decade,” Vertu President and CEO Perry Oosting said.
The creation of the Ti included a battery of testing. Its impact test included the resistance of its sapphire screen withstanding a single drop of an 110-gram ball bearing. The deformation test withstood a 500N (50KG) with little under 1 mm of movement. In the end, the Ti goes through forty environmental tests, including extreme temperatures, torsional strength, tumble testing and humidity.
TAG Heuer
Sharing the same materials as those used in the watch world, it comes as no surprise the watch industry has recognized the significance of the cell phone market.
TAG Heuer recently launched a new model in its Meridiist collection. Made in six styles, the Meridiist Sapphire Special Edition 1860 is limited to 1,860 pieces and features a top screen, front screen and keypad all constructed from seamless sapphire crystal.
In addition, the Meridiist Sapphire Special Edition incorporates alligator skin in various colors, matched with contrasting stainless steel in finishes including satin-brushed, mirror-polished, fine perlage and TAG Heuer shield engraving. Another version includes white alligator leather with mirror-polished sides and 130 diamonds across the top bar, above the screen and encrusting the TAG Heuer logo on the camera plate.
The latest advances in communicative technology and luxury materials continue to inspire brands like Vertu and TAG Heuer.
With this inspiration and its expansion to seventy boutiques and 400 stores in sixty-six countries, Vertu recently announced its continued success: the company’s third consecutive year in sales growth.
“2012 was a landmark year for the company as we welcomed in new owners and became truly independent. Now, with a decade of solid growth behind us and a strong product roadmap ahead, we are perfectly placed to advance our business again,” Oosting said.