At Baselworld back in March, TAG Heuer announced that they were collaborating with Google and Intel to create their first smart watch; a combination of traditional Swiss craftsmanship and innovative technology.
Until now, however, details have been slim; the watch has been described only in lifestyle terms, stating that it would be “both luxurious and seamlessly connected to its wearer’s daily life”, and all we had seen of it was the teasing silhouette of its shape.
Yesterday, the TAG Heuer Connected watch was finally revealed at a press conference in New York, which was streamed live over the internet for all of the watch industry to see.
However, because of the partnership with Intel and Google, it cannot be truly called a Swiss made watch – it is Swiss engineered only, because the parts provided by their partners are not made in Switzerland.
In designing the TAG Heuer Connected watch, the key design consideration was to ensure its style; in Biver’s words, “It must never look like a connected watch.” The result is a striking piece with the design aesthetics of the TAG Heuer Carrera watches range and the capabilities of an Android-powered smart watch.
Physically, you have a timepiece which is based on a traditional chronograph; the 46mm case, back, lugs and deploying buckle are made from grade 2 titanium, and the watch comes with a textured black rubber strap. Straps in six other colours are available separately.
David Singleton, speaking for Google, said that their aim was to create something that was “Glanceable, actionable and effortless”; the wristwatch gives you easy and convenient access to the time at a glance, and the next step is to allow access to all your information – messages from your contacts, ticket information, the gate number for your flights, etc. – in the same easy way.
The watch can be used without an additional Android device, because it offers WiFi connection to the cloud, but an appropriate device will be needed to make full use of its capabilities.
For horological enthusiasts, one of the biggest stumbling blocks of a smart watch is that they are not expected to last. When you invest in a luxury mechanical watch, you expect to have a piece that will continue to work just as it is for many years; a smart watch depends on digital technology that is continuing to evolve at an extraordinary pace, meaning it may well be obsolete in just a few years’ time. Whilst TAG Heuer can make the Connected watch with exceptional materials (the case being made from Grade 2 Titanium) and imbue it with their trademark craftsmanship, what can they do about this?
The answer is simple; they have provided a plan for transitioning the smart watch into something for eternity. After the two-year contract, should you decide not to upgrade, you can trade the Connected watch in to TAG Heuer, pay an additional fee and receive a mechanical Carrera watch in return. This is a very tempting offer for anybody who is interested in smart watch capabilities but not ultimately convinced that such digital devices will replace the traditional timepiece altogether!
At Banks Lyon we offer an extensive range of TAG Heuer watches; for more information, contact us on 01524 384858, or visit our store in Lancaster. You can also keep up to date with our news on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.