Smartwatches are cool gadgets that aim to offer the features of a watch with some features of a smartphone. You can read texts on them, monitor your fitness progress, or even browse the internet. They certainly are impressive devices and as nearly all technology companies are producing one, they are more than just a fad. The only problem is that the devices are not “timepieces” in the sense that in a few years when the next model comes out, the old ones will be worthless like pretty much every technology product (think the iPhone 6 vs. the iPhone 4). Well that seems like it will possibly change as Google, Intel, and TAG Heuer have recently announced a partnership to produce a smartwatch.
At Baselworld 2015 TAG Heuer, Intel, and Google surprised many with the announcement that they will be delivering a premium Swiss-made smartwatch. Normally this convention is for companies to show off luxury mechanical watches, not to announce tech items. Jean-Claude Biver (CEO of TAG Heuer), David Singleton (Director of Engineering for Android Wear), and Michael Bell (Corporate Vice President and General Manager of Intel’s “New Devices Group”) took the stage together to make this big announcement. They said they want to usher in a new era of luxury watchmaking and to create a bridge between Silicon Valley and the “Watch Valley” (the area from Geneva to Basel).
While there are many technology companies using Android Wear to power their devices, there aren’t really any established watch companies that are producing smartwatches, especially luxury brands like TAG Heuer. Consumers have a choice between many Android smartwatches already, but none of those options really target the luxury market. This partnership seems like that notion is going to change. David Singleton said that they are “thrilled to be working with TAG Heuer and Intel to bring a unique blend of emotion and innovation to the luxury market”.
While we don’t know really any of the details surrounding the future watch(es), it is exciting to finally see the luxury watch industry work with technology companies to deliver a high-end smartwatch. Hopefully we will see one of these TAG Heuer smartwatches sometime within a year.
Photo from Intel
