While the standard iPhone 17 Pro Max commands a retail price reaching £1,999, positioning it among the market's most premium smartphones, this figure is utterly eclipsed by a new, ultra-exclusive variant launched this week. Design house Caviar has crafted a luxury iteration of the device, christened the 'Jobs' edition, as a profound tribute to Apple's late co-founder, Steve Jobs.
A Tangible Piece of Apple History
True to its name, the iPhone 17 Pro Max 'Jobs' serves as a direct homage, incorporating an extraordinary element: a genuine fragment of Jobs' iconic black turtleneck sweater. Caviar's official description details, "Set into the decorative Apple emblem is a fragment of Jobs' turtleneck from the presentation of the NeXT computer, authenticated by certificate." This unique inclusion transforms the smartphone into what the company describes as "a museum-worthy collector's piece, where Apple's technological legacy meets a tangible trace of the man who shaped its destiny."
Exquisite Craftsmanship and Commemorative Design
Released to mark Apple's 50th anniversary on April 1, the device reinterprets the aesthetic of the original iPhone 2G through a lens of contemporary luxury. "Its image carries the spirit of the first great breakthrough, the moment that transformed the mobile industry," Caviar explained. The phone features a titanium frame with a PVD coating. The rear houses not only the embedded turtleneck swatch but also Jobs' reproduced signature. Upon activation, a custom "Apple 50" wallpaper greets the user.
Staggering Price and Extreme Rarity
Unsurprisingly, such exclusivity comes at an extraordinary cost. Prospective owners face a bill ranging from $9,630 to $11,560, equivalent to approximately £7,235 to £8,685. Furthermore, availability is severely limited, with Caviar producing only nine units of the 'Jobs' edition globally.
The Broader Anniversary Collection
The 'Jobs' model is part of a trio of special edition iPhones released by Caviar for the anniversary. The 'Gold Apple' edition boasts a 3D Apple logo crafted from 18-karat gold, priced between £6,160 and £7,610. Meanwhile, the 'Black Apple' version utilizes marble carbon and an aerospace-grade titanium logo, costing from £5,085 to £7,610. Each of these models is limited to just 50 units worldwide.
Caviar's Portfolio of Ultra-Luxury Phones
For those seeking alternatives beyond Apple-themed devices, Caviar's extensive catalogue offers hundreds of customised options. Notable examples include the 'Capone' iPhone 17 Pro Max, priced at $11,560 and featuring a quote from The Untouchables, and the 'Tyrannophone', a £6,830 version of the iPhone 13 Pro Max that incorporates a fragment of an 80-million-year-old T. Rex tooth.
This launch underscores the enduring legacy of Steve Jobs and the cultural phenomenon of Apple, blending cutting-edge technology with historical memorabilia for a select clientele of collectors and enthusiasts.
