Gold EarPodsJony Ive, Apple's senior vice president of design, has contributed to an auction [PDF] celebrating "masterworks of design and innovation" to benefit Bono's Project (RED) charity.

Ive worked with designer Marc Newson to curate and in some cases customize a number of items including a one-of-a-kind Steinway & Sons grand piano, and the pair curated the rest of the collection, including a set of 18k solid rose gold Apple EarPods, pictured at right, and a customized magnum of Dom Perignon 1966 with a custom red label.

Leading the auction are the two items designed in their entirety by Jony and Marc – a unique Leica Digital Rangefinder Camera, which is, in and of itself, a feat of extraordinary engineering, and a unique aluminum desk produced by Neal Feay Studios. Joining these editions labeled 01/01 and specifically produced for the (RED) Auction are: a Steinway & Sons Parlor Grand Piano and a 2012 Range Rover, both customized by Jony and Marc; a unique version of Hermès’ iconic Cavale saddle created in red leather with custom red stitching; a one- of-a-kind pair of classic Apple EarPods in solid rose gold; a Russian cosmonaut suit; a pair of Damien Hirst ‘Spin Chairs’ designed by Jasper Morrison; a custom Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos “561” Clock with unique red accents created for the auction; and a Dom Pérignon Œnothèque s 1966 Magnum with custom red foil label, red ice bucket cooler and limited edition protective case.

The charity auction will be held on November 23 at Sotheby's New York.

Top Rated Comments

boshii Avatar
160 months ago
These would be perfect for the champagne 5S. :D
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sixstrings03 Avatar
160 months ago
For me heavier earphones stay in better as light ones a single light knock of the cable causes them to fly out.

But putting it in your ear a few times will start to make it tarnish and loose value but I guess that's the same as a ring of a necklace.
gold doesn't tarnish
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
4God Avatar
160 months ago
Wonder if they'll sound tinny...:D
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
musika Avatar
160 months ago
I'm no big Star Wars buff or anything, but did anybody else think of C3PO when they saw this?

Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Arran Avatar
160 months ago
Especially, what will you do when the cable breaks one day?

Use them as ear plugs. Silence is golden.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Drumjim85 Avatar
160 months ago
For me heavier earphones stay in better as light ones a single light knock of the cable causes them to fly out.

But putting it in your ear a few times will start to make it tarnish and loose value but I guess that's the same as a ring of a necklace.

You put necklaces in your ear?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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