A new platinum-based mobile phone has hit the Chinese market, aimed at high fliers and the jet set.

The luxury phone incorporates a sapphire crystal display and is adorned with platinum.

The body of the handset is made of titanium, while the edging is finished in leather, as manufacturers seek to transfer something of the glamour in the jewellery industry to the mobile phone market.

With mobile phones proving a popular accessory the attempt to marry the technology to the vogue for platinum jewellery is likely to prove appealing.

Chinese state media reports that just 500 phones have been made to date in Hangzhou, capital of south east China's Zhejiang Province, but if enough consumers are willing to part with 160,000 yuan - or over $19,000 - a ramp up in production is a possibility.

Earlier this year Vertu launched its signature platinum phone collection, which is hallmarked by the Swiss Assay office, in Dubai.