Intelligent Aquisition
Using the same techniques honed in the crafting of luxury watches and fine jewellery, 18 karat rose gold chosen for its warm, feminine glow is cast using traditional jewellery techniques and polished by hand. The exotic leathers are hand cut and wrapped around the smartphones, while the sapphire glass is machined using high-precious CNC machines and polished to an ultra-bombé shape, which reportedly took a year to develop and refers to the dome of glass that shields the phone screen but sits in perfect alignment with the sweeping lines of the ceramics.
call of beauty
T
he ubiquitous smartphone, it’s impossible for any self-respecting citizen to do without, but not exactly the height of style and fashion. Or is it? Swiss manufacturer Savelli prides itself on having created a range of luxury smartphones specifically designed for women. Boasting precious jewels elegantly set by skilled craftsmen in sculpted gold cases, and conceived in design much like a dazzling piece of jewellery, the Savelli collection is far more than a piece of modern day technology. “Each model is fluid in every contour, each curve inspired by the ‘line of grace’,” says founder Alessandro Savelli. “Mine is a timeless concept of beauty and femininity, theorised in the 18th century English artist and philosopher William Hogarth’s book The Analysis of Beauty and reinterpreted by Savelli. The ‘line of grace’ is our trademark: it represents the beauty of nature, and of every Savelli woman.” Assembled by hand by artisans in Savelli’s atelier in Geneva, the most challenging aspect of the production is the gem setting, says Alessandro. “Savelli carefully selects each precious stone and our artisans hand-set them using the ‘serti neige’ or ‘snow setting’ technique. Stones of differing diameters sit side-by-side covering the precious metal to enhance the organic curves of each piece. For me it’s much like haute couture - the passion and the patience of our artisans is the same.”
The Savelli artisans work with a myriad of different materials, and clients are invited to tap into their own artistic flair and customise their Savelli phone. Choosing from a wide range of exotic leathers, such as iguana, python, alligator and ostrich available in many different colours, clients are then able to select a precious material of their choosing, as well as a range of gem setting options and precious stones, including diamonds, sapphires, rubies and emeralds. Finally, a personalised engraving can be added to the final product. “Our design and craftsmanship is the same as in high jewellery,” says Alessandro. “Last year we created a unique piece which was auctioned off at the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) gala in Milan, and we donated the proceeds to the amfAR foundation. It was a beautiful and quite eccentric model, a unique edition of the Savelli Diamond Rain with pink gold, white diamonds and green python leather.” Recently, Savelli also launched its first two limited edition emerald smartphones in collaboration with gemstone company, Gemfields. The Emerald Night is set with 400 brilliant-cut emeralds and is limited to 19 pieces, while Emerald Insane, set with 4.5 carat baguette-cut emeralds and 12.5 carat brilliant-cut diamonds, is limited to just eight pieces. Representing luck, wealth, faith and life in many cultures, the emerald is also known as a symbol of nobility, beauty and eternal love, a fitting match for this unusual and alluring range of glittering, bejewelled technology. www.savelli-geneve.com
Opposite Page: Left: Savelli phones are conceived in design like luxury jewellery This page: Top: Artisans hand-set the stones using the ‘serti neige’ or ‘snow setting’ technique Middle: Smartphones specifically designed for women Bottom: Skilled craftsmen set the precious jewels in sculpted gold cases
67