You might not recognise the Golden Concept name, but you’ll definitely recognise the names of some of its clients: it makes high-end, custom phone and watch cases for celebrities including Cristian Ronaldo and various Kardashians. By their usual standards the new Golden Concept X Mastermind JAPAN (opens in new tab) case for the Apple Watch Series 8 is pretty restrained, but it’s the usual mix of very expensive materials and a design approach that thinks very differently to Apple.
There are just 200 cases available: 150 titanium ones, and 50 carbon fibre. The titanium models are $1,099 / £899, and the carbon fibre ones are $1,599 / £1,309.
None more black
Mastermind JAPAN is a high fashion streetwear brand, worn by the likes of A$AP Rocky and Justin Timberlake, and it’s fair to say that it has a fairly young demographic in mind.
The two Mastermind cases here are available in any colour you like as long as it’s black. Designed by Mastermind Japan founder Masaaki Homma, they’re variations on existing cases from the Golden Concept Racing Sport range. The titanium one is based on the RST case, and the carbon fibre on the RSC. Both models are for the 45mm Apple Watch Series 8.
In addition to the tough case materials, the Digital Crown is embellished with crystals. They’re black too, with one large one surrounded by 19 smaller ones. The Mastermind logo – a skull and crossbones – is engraved on the backplate and on the buckle and is also there as a one-of-a-kind Apple Watch face.
Tempted? You can see more images of the cases on the Golden Concept website. (opens in new tab)
