Tag Heuer joins with Google in a smartwatch deal
LUXURY watchmaker Tag Heuer is partnering Google and Intel to go head-to-head in the emerging smartwatch battleground.
The trio announced their plans yesterday to team up at the Swiss trade fair Baselworld, and between them they could produce something that rivals Apple’s recent efforts in the area.
The companies described it as “a new era of collaboration between Swiss watchmakers and Silicon Valley”.
Jean-Claude Biver, chief executive of Tag Heuer and president of the watch division at parent LVMH Group, joined Android Wear’s director of engineering David Singleton and Michael Bell, corporate vice president and general manager of Intel’s new devices group, on stage to make the big reveal the deal.
Although there are no details yet as to the product they are working on, the trio said it would be “both luxurious and seamlessly conncected to its wearer’s daily life”.
“Swiss watchmaking and Silicon Valley is a marriage of technological innovation with watchmaking credibility. Our collaboration provides a rich host of synergies, forming a win-win partnership, and the potential for our three companies is enormous,” said Biver.
“The collaboration with Tag Heuer and Google brings us closer to realising the vision of wearable technology with a distinctive smartwatch that elevates the category,” Bell added.
Tim Cook’s game-changer will be launched on 24 April, and pre-orders open on 10 April. Prices will range from $350 (£299) for the entry-level Sports range to $17,000 (£13,500) for the top-tier 18 carat gold edition.
The watch can read emails, receive calls and social media updates, and track fitness goals.