Luxury handset maker Gresso today unveiled the Grand Monaco -- a Formula One-inspired handset crafted from super-alloy titanium and carbon.

The Russia-based company said the Grand Monaco's titanium case is coated at 750 degrees Celsius with several layers of high-tech ceramic -- a method previously used in the space industry -- to withstand tarnishing and discoloration.

The front and back case panels are made of carbon -- a high-performance material used in racing car bodies for its strength-to-weight ratio.

The completely flat keyboard is cut from a single sheet of polished steel -- just 100 microns thin -- and covered with ultra-strong titanium Black PVD to give it a black mirror-like and scratch-proof surface.

The navigation keys are made of surgical steel.

Additional features include a hand-polished 42 carat sapphire crystal screen, 2.0-megapixel camera and Bluetooth wireless technology.

Rival Vertu launched a carbon fiber version of its Ascent Ti -- also inspired by motorsports -- earlier this month.

In March, Gresso announced its Lady Diamond collection, a magenta-colored gold and titanium handset with diamond accents.

The Grand Monaco comes in two versions -- high-tech black or metallic ceramic combined with carbon -- and is priced at $2,100.

Tweet

Share

Digg

Post a comment and discuss this story with other readers.