Tycoons of the world, get out your pocketbooks. Actually, wait, scratch that -- kick back, relax, and let your butler do it for you, because Vertu has a new multi-thousand dollar toy for your enjoyment. The FCC has revealed that Nokia's ultra-luxe division has finally updated its flagship Signature model to include 3G, and they've taken the opportunity to completely redesign it to make it slimmer, hotter, and presumably, pricier than ever before. The all-new Signature features quadband EDGE, HSDPA on the 850 and 2100MHz bands, and WiFi -- a Vertu first -- which means we should probably expect a fabulous browser to go with that generously-proportioned OLED display. Well, we can't, since we'll never get closer than a thick sheet of security glass to this thing -- but someone can.

Update: The phone's officially been unveiled on Vertu's site as the Signature S Design, hitting a boutique you can't get into unless you're dressed to impress near you come next month.

It seems that Nokia's luxury brand Vertu has finally decided to take a bold leap into the 21st century with its top-of-the-line Signature series, blessing it with a refreshed design, 3G for the very first time (though not the first time for a Vertu), and -- get this -- WiFi. That should all make for a candybar that even the peasant technophiles among us can appreciate, especially when you factor in the extra little tidbit that it's apparently sporting an OLED QVGA display (not unlike the just-introduced Nokia N85). We haven't seen anything super official on this yet, but everything jibes: the Signature is long, long overdue for a thorough overhaul, and both WiFi and IECEE certifications exist for a recently-approved RM-266V (historically, Vertus have rocked Nokia model codes with "V" tacked on the end). Of course, unless you wear a monocle, odds are you can't afford this -- but if you do happen to wear a monocle, we'd really like to see.

[Via friedblogs]

Read - WiFi interoperability certificate
Read - IECEE certification

Okay, Vertu, we get it, neither you nor your customers give a flip about staying even remotely up on technology. If you did, you'd stop selling the Signature, a model that's been kicking around since the company itself. Anyway, for the technologically illiterate fashionista with absolutely, positively nothing better to do with that aluminum briefcase full of unmarked, non-sequential $100's, Vertu presents the "Black & White Diamonds" version of the same old Signature candybar featuring 644 white diamonds paired with 428 of the black variety. Personally, we'd gladly lose a couple hundred of those diamonds in exchange for even just a quadband radio, EDGE data, and a 2 megapixel camera -- but then again, if you're the celebrity, what do you need a cam in your phone for?

[Thanks, JW]

We're not sure what's richer: this phone, or the fact that it's the very same model that launched Vertu to mobile infamy some four years ago. We guess those with more money than tech savvy can look forward to gorging themselves on this marvel of modern opulence, Vertu's pink diamond Signature. For what it's worth, this isn't the first time Vertu has completely coated its Signature model in the glittery stuff -- and we imagine it won't be the last -- though this one rocks out with rose gold and a healthy dose of pink diamond intermixed with the traditional type. Look for it in a Vertu retailer near you, and if you have to ask the price... well, you know.

If we're gonna drop a couple grand on a phone, the least it can do is give us quad-band GSM, right? As we reported a couple weeks back, Vertu's new Constellation handset picks up where their previous efforts left off, packing GSM 850/900/1800/1900 plus EDGE data all 2003-like. We weren't able to glean much from the draft manual (which still has Signature pictures in it), but the Constellation looks to rock a variant of Nokia's S40 platform -- we leave that to the world's privileged to decide whether that's an upgrade from the Signature and Ascent's OS. Look for this little slice of leather-covered opulence to drop later this year; we're sure you rich folk will find ways to shed some cash while you wait.

If you're loving the Vertu Signature 2006 but the gargantuan 122 x 42 x 15.5mm dimensions have left a bad taste in your mouth -- not to mention the absurd price tag -- boy oh boy, do we have just the phone for you. The "Mars Bar size" miniature Signature knockoff, apparently made by CISC, comes it at a smallish 89 x 38 x 22mm. The chubby little bugger strikes a strong resemblance to its costlier role model if you squint, but that's where the resemblance ends: you lose a GSM band, leaving you with just 900 and 1800, the camera is a laughable "30k pixels," and we're guessing that our lookalike friend here doesn't sport the Vertu's jeweled key action. On the upside, internal flash is allegedly good for a hefty 128MB, and you can buy a small army of these for the cost of the genuine article.

[Thanks, Nick]