Firearm motif luxury overhaul
Russian luxury brand Caviar has released a new series of customised iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models, incorporating firearm motifs and mechanical features in designs priced up to $10,985.
The collection, named “Desperado”, includes three hand-crafted models – Russian Roulette, Die Hard, and Predator – each incorporating weapon-inspired design elements and limited to fewer than 20 units globally.
The most expensive model, Russian Roulette, features a functional miniature revolver cylinder mounted into the phone’s rear. The mechanism includes a single gold cartridge and can be manually spun by the user, mimicking the traditional game but without any risk. The phone casing provides gold and silver engravings, drawing on firearm detailing typically seen in high-end weaponry. Only 19 units of this model have been produced.
The Die Hard edition, priced at $9,845, displays a bas-relief sculpture of a Beretta 92 pistol and features walnut wood detailing on the grip. Aviation-grade titanium forms the outer body. According to Caviar, only 20 units were made, reflecting the weapon’s 20-round magazine capacity. The pistol featured is widely recognised due to its use in the Hollywood action film of the same name.
A third model, the Predator, includes a titanium relief of a jungle machete knife. The phone’s casing is finished with a black PVD titanium coating and engraved with botanical patterns. The knife design references the 1987 action film “Predator”. Like the Russian Roulette model, Predator is limited to 19 units and retails at $9,415.
In the Middle East, where Caviar maintains its regional headquarters in Dubai, high-net-worth consumers represent a growing market for customised luxury electronics.
According to a 2024 report by Statista, the luxury goods market in the UAE is expected to reach $3.76 billion this year, with demand for exclusive tech accessories on the rise. Caviar’s niche offerings align with this demand, targeting collectors and enthusiasts with a taste for limited-run products that blend opulence and mechanical craftsmanship.
Smartphone personalisation remains a small segment of the broader mobile phone industry. However, brands like Caviar have carved out a space by transforming mass-produced electronics into high-value luxury goods.
The iPhone 17 Pro, which serves as the base model for these customisations, starts at around $999 from Apple. Caviar’s versions cost up to 10 times more, driven by the use of precious materials and labour-intensive production methods.
Each device comes in a bespoke presentation box and includes a commemorative coin, according to the company. While not officially affiliated with Apple, Caviar modifies authentic Apple products, preserving core functionality while radically altering exterior designs.
Caviar has previously drawn attention for similar releases, including models decorated with meteorite fragments and rare gemstones. The Desperado line marks one of the company’s most provocative releases to date, appealing to collectors seeking rare and unconventional interpretations of modern technology.
Hero image: The most expensive model, Russian Roulette, features a functional miniature revolver cylinder mounted into the phone’s rear. Credit: Caviar
