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RIM, Monocle collaborate on $1,500 BlackBerry Bold 9700

By | December 3, 2009, 8:13am PST

Summary: Research in Motion and $10-per-issue jet-set business editorial magazine Monocle have collaborated on a BlackBerry Bold 9700 that costs an astounding $1,500 USD.

Research in Motion and $10-per-issue jet-set business editorial magazine Monocle have collaborated on a BlackBerry Bold 9700 that costs an astounding $1,500 USD.

Well, it actually costs £950, but that’s just how bad the exchange rate is right now.

As you might expect, this smartphone is a limited edition (exactly 100 will be produced) model that comes in a wine finish, sports a custom leather strap and a branded Monocle “M” logo on the back. It’s also pre-loaded with the magazine’s “25/25″ travel guides, custom wallpapers, and a 16GB microSD card.

As you might expect, this device is for the connoisseur who delights in owning exclusives, fine art and a personal jet. It’s no surprise, either — RIM is a major advertiser in the magazine, and the device joins a curated collection of exclusive, and very expensive, globetrotting gear, from luggage to books to scents.

In name, perhaps the Tour would have been more appropriate. The Monocle BlackBerry 9700 is available Dec. 10.

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Topics

Research In Motion Ltd., RIM BlackBerry, Magazine, BlackBerry Bold, Monocle BlackBerry 9700, Smart Phones, Handhelds, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Hardware, Andrew Nusca

Andrew J. Nusca is editor of ZDNet and SmartPlanet.

Disclosure

Andrew Nusca

Andrew J. Nusca does not hold any investments in the technology companies he covers.

Biography

Andrew Nusca

Editor

Andrew J. Nusca is an editor for ZDNet and SmartPlanet. As a journalist based in New York City, he has written for Popular Mechanics and Men's Vogue and his byline has appeared in New York magazine, The Huffington Post, New York Daily News, Editor & Publisher, New York Press and many others. He also writes The Editorialiste, a media criticism blog.

He is a New York University graduate and former news editor and columnist of the Washington Square News. He is a graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. He has been named "Howard Kurtz, Jr." by film critic John Lichman despite having no relation to him. He lives in his native Philadelphia with his wife, cat and Boston Terrier.

Follow him on Twitter.

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RE: RIM, Monocle collaborate on $1,500 BlackBerry Bold 9700
preciolandia 23rd Sep
@nothingness There are many and better Blackberries out there: For instance, the Blackberry 8520 (Curve) , the popular Blackberry 9800 and the powerful Blackberry 9300. All of them are better than this one.
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0 Votes
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that must be some expensive leather!
nothingness 3rd Dec 2009
Would be funny to see who the suckers will be...
0 Votes
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RE: RIM, Monocle collaborate on $1,500 BlackBerry Bold 9700
preciolandia 23rd Sep
@nothingness There are many and better Blackberries out there: For instance, the Blackberry 8520 (Curve) , the popular Blackberry 9800 and the powerful Blackberry 9300. All of them are better than this one.
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Are they insane?
Hallowed are the Ori 3rd Dec 2009
The only way you can get away with vastly overcharging for something like this is by putting a logo on it that consists of the image of a piece of fruit with a bite taken out of it.
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Huh?
BubbaJones_ 3rd Dec 2009
PC vendors also sell to consumers very high priced computers, are
they overcharging as well? Many studies have proven that between
that fruit company and, PC vendors there isn't any real price
difference. Sometimes one is more or less expensive than the other
for the same features. Of course except at the low end of their
product line.

That fruit company doesn't market to a certain demographic. Not
unlike auto makers BMW, Maserati, Bentley, and the like don't market
to a certain demographic. It applies as well to home appliances, and
high price department stores; the list goes on.

What may be overcharging to you may be a deal for someone else;
just a though huh.
0 Votes
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Another thing for people with more money than brains. (nt)
ths40 3rd Dec 2009
...
0 Votes
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Because they have brains they have the money (NT)
BubbaJones_ 3rd Dec 2009
.
0 Votes
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Hey, high price worked for Apple!
HollywoodDog 3rd Dec 2009
Throw some leather on it and a $1,500 price tag!
0 Votes
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Each to his own taste, said the old maid as she kissed the cow!
websquad 4th Dec 2009
I'll stick to my Storm 2 !!
0 Votes
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RE: RIM, Monocle collaborate on $1,500 BlackBerry Bold 9700
shanedr 4th Dec 2009
It doesn't matter how much money you make; someone will
come up with a product designed to capture your money.
0 Votes
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Include more information - why $1500
daniel.pereznet Updated - 4th Dec 2009
This phone better have direct link to a Satalite with a 1 Terabyte/sec burst transmitter.
That better be a 600GB microSD card
That better be a real silver skin on the face
and those buttons on the keyboard better be made of onyx stone.

Include more information - why so much

including preloaded s/w - that means little to real mobile business proffesionals who are used to getting flooded with information on demand
0 Votes
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RE: RIM, Monocle collaborate on $1,500 BlackBerry Bold 9700
earcondicionado 23rd Jan 2011
I liked the finish, I think that manufacturers should invest more in this type of device, I mean a good player and a fine finish, at least I like hugs!
Ar Condicionado
Lingerie

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