New York watchmaker Jacob & Co has teamed up with Loewe, not the Spanish fashion brand owned by LVMH, but its German namesake, an electronics specialist, to offer two exclusive models of closed-back headphones. A whim that will set you back a mere $140,000!
Cutting-edge technology and precious stones.
As the luxury industry seeks to reconnect with exclusivity and craftsmanship, Loewe Technology GmbH and Jacob & Co have taken up the challenge of turning headphones into an ultra-luxury item. Entitled “Loewe x Jacob & Co. Two Icons. One Vision,” this partnership is based on a synergy of expertise: electronics for the former, watchmaking and jewelry for the latter.
Designed as an exceptional product, only ten pairs of these headphones will be produced.
Two areas of expertise, two models
In the height of summer, the German brand Loewe officially launched its limited edition headphones aboard its own eponymous yacht in Monaco Bay. The 55-meter Tankoa superyacht welcomed a host of celebrities for the occasion, including soccer star and captain of the French national team, Kylian Mbappé.
This Loewe x Jacob & Co capsule collection was developed to combine the two brands’ distinctive expertise and offer two models of headphones that are as aesthetic as they are innovative.
Evoking purity and precision, the first model, named Ice Diamond, features handcrafted white gold “rings” set with 456 dazzling diamonds.
Playing on the contrasts of light and dark with the aforementioned model, the more daring Noir Rainbow features a 15.97-carat rose gold ring adorned with sparkling multicolored sapphires, forming a luminous halo.
These rings are not only aesthetic: they also serve the functional role of a control wheel…
In terms of technical prowess, both models are equipped with Loewe’s most advanced audio technology. In addition to high-resolution sound, each headset features adaptive active noise reduction that adjusts in real time.
The headphones also feature artificial intelligence to provide voice assistance and real-time translation. Finally, made from high-end materials such as anodized aluminum and genuine leather, the Loewe x Jacob & Co headphones offer up to 65 hours of battery life.
With only five of each of the two headphone models available, the capsule collection is particularly exclusive, targeting primarily the wealthiest collectors. The Noir Diamond finish costs €99,000 ($116,000) and the Ice Diamond finish costs €119,000 ($139,000).
Although the luxury audio segment is still in its infancy, Jacob & Co is not the first to attempt such a venture: Miu Miu with Marshall (€850), Louis Vuitton with its Horizon headphones (€1,450) and Celine in collaboration with Master & Dynamic (€850) have also released their own luxury headphones. However, until now, no one had attempted to surpass Chanel‘s Premiere Sound necklace, priced at €14,800.
This high-end headphone market is expected to grow from $12.10 billion in 2024 to $25.42 billion in 2033, representing a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 8.6%. It should be noted, however, that the high-end audio market experienced a second consecutive year of decline in 2024, with a 4.7% drop in global volume, according to the latest market report from Futuresource Consulting.
Read also > Jacob & Co teams up with developer Ohana Development for its luxury complex in the Emirates
Featured photo: Loewe x Jacob & Co
