The Apple Vision Pro by Caviar Is Decked in Gold, Bound to Make Everybody Else Feel Poor

Caviar is a Russia-based specialist shop operating at the intersection of fine jewelry, horology, and tech and specializing in gold and precious stones for the discerning elite looking for limited-series everyday items that bring sophistication into every aspect of their life. That's the most elaborate explanation; a shorter one would have been that they take stuff someone else produces, usually Apple, deck it in gold and diamonds, and call it "art."

Gold has been considered a noble material since the dawn of humanity. Use it sparingly, and it can elevate even the most mundane object you can think of, whether it's a garment or a piece of tableware. Show no restraint in its use, and it becomes a bore, verging on tackiness and bad taste, and the most unequivocal sign of a nouveau riche looking to impress through wealth masquerading as style.

Of course, it's easy to make fun when you're on the side, with no skin – or gold of your own – in the game. The line that separates the two is arbitrary, which makes it highly mobile. And you know what they say in another cliché about how beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Speaking of beholding, Caviar has taken a shot at the latest Apple product announced earlier this year: the Vision Pro VR/AR headset, which will arrive next year with a price tag a hair under $3,500. It's very expensive, but it has nothing on the Caviar version of it, which is, as expected, decked in gold and as exclusive as it gets.

The Vision Pro is a headset that signals that "the era of spatial computing is here." It's basically Apple’s way of putting a computer screen in front of your eyes (which means it's more of an XR – extended reality – device than a VR – virtual reality – one), offering customizable entertainment and a more immersive viewing experience, whether for work or leisure. The Vision Pro CVR Edition is still all this, but with an extra touch of exclusiveness through – you guessed it! – the generous use of gold.

Caviar says that it's “spatial splendor," a way of taking the spatial computer Apple created and turning it into an object of art. It's inspired by the iconic Gucci ski mask and the Tom Ford flip-up sunglasses, so whatever comparisons Apple put in your mind to snorkeling goggles, forget about them. This is high fashion, from the way traditional materials have been replaced with gold, titan, and leather to the addition of a flip-up visor that aims to enhance the sense of privacy for the wearer.

That last part is also the biggest difference between the original Apple product and the Caviar one. To avoid making the experience an isolating one, Apple added the EyeSight feature, which displays a pair of eyes on the exterior display, so the interlocutor feels like they could make eye contact with the wearer as they speak. Caviar has seen how viciously commenters trashed Apple for it, so it's adding a visor to counter similar criticism.

"Judging by the public’s reaction, not everyone appreciates having their eyes displayed on the external screen," Caviar says. "With Caviar’s version, you can preserve your privacy if you wish. The choice is yours to make."

If you do make it, it's best if you start building some neck stamina. Critics saying that the Apple Vision Pro is too heavy to be comfortable during long-term wear will be having a field day with this golden iteration of it. In total, CVR Edition weighs 2 kg (4.4 lbs), 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs), of which is the 18K gold, and the rest of 500 g (1.1 lbs) is the Apple headset itself. Caviar also replaces the rubberized band with a fine Connolly leather strap, which, we hear, is the type favored by the British Royal Family and Rolls-Royce. Fancy that.

The CVR Edition takes the Apple Vision Pro and turns it into the "pinnacle of fashion," not just of technology, if you believe Caviar. You will have to wait until you see one CVR Edition headset with your own eyes, if ever: delivery is estimated for the summer of 2024, but only 24 units will be produced, in keeping with the Caviar tradition of producing only limited series. There's a waiting list, too.

Pricing will be another deterrent if good taste won't: MRSP is estimated at $39,990, so more than ten times over what Apple will charge for the non-gold version. It's a bargain if you think it could've been $40K, to put things into perspective.