The Bentley of Smartphones

Although there is an ongoing battle at the corporate level and often a kerfuffle at the individual level between the iPhone and the Samsung Galaxy, those two phones are really somewhat trivial compared to the Vertu.

“Vertu?”

Yes, that’s the phone that can set you back thousands of dollars. A phone that can be gem-encrusted. A phone that doesn’t use Gorilla Glass for its screen but sapphire. (Yes, as in sapphire.)

And it may not be entirely surprising (once you get over the initial shock of seeing the price of a car attached to a smartphone) that Bentley and Vertu have an on-going partnership.

Last week the two companies unveiled the second Vertu for Bentley handset. It was displayed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England. It will make its way to the U.S. for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. And it will be launched September 18.

The Virtu Signature for Bentley handset is said to have cues drawn from the Bentley Mulsanne Speed. Like a carbon fiber weave pattern on the top of the phone and knurled stainless steel surfaces on the sides. The phone’s case is made from leather sourced from the tannery that Bentley uses. Of course, the case has the Bentley Flying B logo on it—in titanium.

Beyond the object alone, there is service, as well.

Owners of the phone get one year’s complimentary access to Vertu Concierge. With the push of a ruby button (seriously: a ruby button) you can be connected to “a dedicated Lifestyle manager, providing expert assistance designed to meet your every need.”

Or, perhaps, you could simply ask Siri.