Gresso's Avantgarde Skeleton is both a limited edition and of limited interest

Gresso, the Russian company known for its luxury electronics, is back with the scarily named (and strangely apt) Avantgarde Skeleton Collection. Another benchmark in conspicuous consumption, this Windows Mobile 6.0-sporting, Bluetooth 1.2-supporting brickphone is housed in a titanium alloy case "with high-tech ceramic coverage." But no, the luxuriosity doesn't stop there -- both the 240 x 320 display and the transparent back panel are made of crystal sapphire glass. The battery case is made of stainless steel, with a leather cover and magnet release, and the back of the handset features the Gresso logo covered with 10 micron gold. Sure "elegance" is timeless, but it ain't cheap: only fifteen of these guys will be made, and they'll be available for five grand. Tough choice between this and five Kodak OLED frames, we know -- life is so hard sometimes.

[Big GIANT Balls @ Dec 15th 2008 3:26PM]

These suck! Get me an iPhone, or something better!

and FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and LOWEST RANK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

peace.

[Big GIANT Balls @ Dec 15th 2008 3:29PM]

The clear back is pretty damn cool though. I would like a phone with that.

[StalematE @ Dec 15th 2008 3:33PM]

I throw my shoes at you.

[Nick @ Dec 15th 2008 3:42PM]

I throw Bush AND my shoes at you.

[Mobius_1 @ Dec 15th 2008 3:44PM]

You obviously want to get low ranked...

(Clicks the big green + button)

[Lowest Ranked @ Dec 15th 2008 4:04PM]

You fight like a woman. Honestly. Who throws a shoe?

[Oli D @ Dec 15th 2008 4:17PM]

Random Task strikes Bush in Iraq

[Rainier @ Dec 15th 2008 3:26PM]

Remove the screen and it's a TV remote from the 80's.

[Anthony @ Dec 15th 2008 3:40PM]

Don't do anything & it's virtually the same as a K850 (w/ lower specs & no sapphire).

[Shinigami @ Dec 15th 2008 3:53PM]

I just found out my TV from 90's has a remote from 80's Oo

[eggothewaffle @ Dec 15th 2008 3:28PM]

"Tough choice between this and five Kodak OLED frames, we know -- life is so hard sometimes."

You forgot Apple's 24-inch LED Cinema Display.

[brak @ Dec 15th 2008 5:14PM]

its called sarcasm, available at all your local retail and video game stores...in abundant supply... ACT NOW!

i can provide some sarcasm as well for a one time offer of 24 easy payments of 19.99!!!

Crazy you say?

[Blackjack @ Dec 15th 2008 3:28PM]

Based on latest data, Windows Mobile (aka Windows CE) is dead. If not today, it will be tomorrow. :)

[kjb434 @ Dec 15th 2008 3:37PM]

How is that?

It still one of the most customizable model OS's out there right now. Android still has to prove itself by getting a larger product range.

[BlurMagic @ Dec 15th 2008 3:49PM]

Yeah. Blackjacks own populated data states that winmo is dead. While his name is that of a phone that has WinMo on it? Ummm.

Anyways, that was a stupid post. As a consumer, you should want WinMo to thrive. Just for the sole purpose of advancement in technology. One product pushes the other etc etc etc. Im a big fan of Android, but I don't want to see WinMo die.

Annnnnd while im at it. That phone up there sucks.

[Leo @ Dec 15th 2008 3:31PM]

It's 'luxuriosity' astounds me. Is this one "Mjuier" as well?

[bandigolo @ Dec 15th 2008 3:32PM]

I'm not stupidly rich, so maybe I just don't "get it," but I cannot understand this whole "designer" cell phone market. It just doesn't make sense. Even if somebody handcrafted the most elegant phone of all time, if it had mediocre specs and blah performance why would anyone buy it? If I had money to burn, I'd still want - nay, absolutely demand - top-class performance.

[kjb434 @ Dec 15th 2008 3:38PM]

People that buy don't care about things like specs and capabilities. These phones are accessories and not devices to them.

[shugg @ Dec 15th 2008 6:10PM]

i agree with bANDIGOLO.,

[bandigolo @ Dec 16th 2008 11:48AM]

@kjb

You're 100% correct, but I still don't understand it (i.e. the logic makes no sense)

Example scenario:
I'm sitting at a swanky although not exclusive Downtown bar. Down sits Dick CEO at the stool next to me. Dick pulls out his "skeleton" and places next to my Touch HD (for the sake of argument, let's assume I actually have one - I'm trying to make a point here). Both of us get the occasional text, perhaps check the occasional email, etc. Meanwhile, people are glancing over and commenting fairly regularly to me, "what phone is that?" (trust me, I have a Diamond and it happens all the time). Two hours later, Dick hurls his POS at a dumpster and buys a Touch HD.

Morale of the story:
Yes, these people want accessories. But more importantly, these people want attention and status. I just "pwned" Dick for 2 hours in those categories, all the while making about 10% of his annual salary.

[Loonie @ Dec 15th 2008 3:44PM]

Are rich people really that uninformed? Are they that unaware of how much technology money can get you these days?

[Tim @ Dec 15th 2008 4:40PM]

No, they just don't have to care anymore.
You have people to worry about that sort of thing.
It's really not rocket science guys, it's called luxury goods, been around for a while, you know?

The most telling statement here over and over again:
'If I had that sort of money'...'If I was stinking rich'...'stupid rich'..., it's obvious you don't and probably never will fit into the demographic for this product or any other luxury product and that's fine.
You might want to start you next post with 'If I was not so ignorant'...'If I had some perspective'...

[Loonie @ Dec 15th 2008 7:40PM]

Okay Tim, I'll take your advice:

If I had some perspective, I would not buy an astonishingly overpriced extremely crap phone, just because some guy stuffed it into a block of jadeitite and slapped some crystal-studded emerald on the front.

How many of the fiscally affluent persuasion would consider a Ford Scorpio to be a luxury car ripe for ownership, simply because it had been given fancy looking body kit and a fancy name? No. They're going to drive a Saleen, or a Bentley, or a Bugatti. How about a titanium and gold Casio classic? Much better than some silly ol' TAG Heuer or Rolex, eh.

There is an obvious step-up in performance and engineering with those types of luxury commodity. I am merely curious to know why it would not apply in this kind of case. I mean, I could have purchased a Bontempi Elephant Melody organ encased in polished volcanic slate with a sapphire LCD. Instead I bought a Clavia Nord Lead 3. Go figure. That must be my lack of perspective, eh.

In closing, you might want to go and stick your head in a bucket of hamster poo, and write less condescending posts.

[Boarderwoot @ Dec 15th 2008 3:55PM]

You can't name something Avantgarde. They've killed the phone right there. That's like painting a picture of a flower and naming it "Pretty Flower". It's not avantgarde because you say it is, it's avantgarde because it is. Sadly, there's really nothing avant-garde about this phone.

[JPW @ Dec 15th 2008 3:57PM]

Two words: AVANT GARDE. . . .

Got it?

[Patriks7 @ Dec 15th 2008 4:03PM]

Vertu clone!




Oh sorry, wrong product..

[Shinigami @ Dec 15th 2008 4:10PM]

$350 Nokia 5800 has 640x360 screen
$1000+ "luxury" phone has 320x240 screen
Or "who needs brains when you have money?" kind of situation.

I know, I know, you think they don't care. But do they really have any kind of choice???

[Tim @ Dec 15th 2008 4:42PM]

More like you don't get it...at all...

[Patriks7 @ Dec 15th 2008 5:16PM]

Dude, I highly doubt the people buying these know the difference between the screens...

[Oli D @ Dec 15th 2008 4:21PM]

If i had loads of money, i would buy loads of this sort of expensive crap, then sell it on ebay for £3 just to confuse everyone.

[Shinigami @ Dec 15th 2008 4:22PM]

I'll ask the other way.

Would you ever want to own a luxury phone made in Russia?

[iCandy @ Dec 15th 2008 4:49PM]

The phone is "Limited produced" in the sense of how many (rich & stupid) people they think will buy this thing...

[Tim @ Dec 15th 2008 5:08PM]

What is all your problem here?
'Rich and stupid'?
And you are 'poor but clever'?
Does that mean you 'want' to be poor? Or are you just 'poor and 'even more' stupid'?
And the rich are probably too stupid to be poor.
You don't see a bit of a problem with your logic?
Some rich people get to be rich by being smart and working hard, you know?
Some poor people are just jealous..., get off your ass and earn some money man.
Get some perspective, when you have the money, only then can you foulmouth away and noone will stop you.
Until then, you sound like a 'the world owes me a living' whino with some serious inferiority issues and a deep seated jealousy materializing itself in 'hating the rich'.

[iCandy @ Dec 15th 2008 5:16PM]

tim,

(rich & stupid)... boolean

what is wrong with being rich and smart with your money?

and why would you make the ASSumtion that I am not financially comfortable?

Just because you are loaded does not mean you have to be a complete idiot with your money and end up like so many washed up celebrities...

oh yea... STFU!

[brak @ Dec 15th 2008 5:20PM]

@Tim

Well said... while i believe most rich people are devouring the planet, there are those that worked their asses off to get to their status and should be applauded for their efforts. I would sooner believe their opinion of the phone then others like myself who wouldn't own one of these in the near future...provided my lotto numbers are incorrect each time ;0)

[matt merritt @ Dec 15th 2008 5:58PM]

You're right Tim... better rich and stupid then rich and on the rag as you would so seem.

[sam @ Dec 15th 2008 6:49PM]

Sapphire glass (it's made of synthetic sapphire) isn't entirely pointless like the other luxury materials listed - it's hard as fuck, meaning you basically can't scratch it.

Good news for a phone screen that might otherwise be unprotected in a pocket with keys - although if you're as rich (and, yes, stupid) as buying this phone would suggest, maybe you also have some diamonds in your pocket, and those will scratch even sapphire...

[sam @ Dec 15th 2008 6:54PM]

Sapphire glass (it's made of synthetic sapphire) isn't entirely pointless like the other luxury materials listed - it's hard as fuck, meaning you basically can't scratch it.

Good news for a phone screen that might otherwise be unprotected in a pocket with keys - although if you're as rich (and, yes, stupid) as buying this phone would suggest, maybe you also have some diamonds in your pocket, and those will scratch even sapphire...