Bernard Arnault (LVMH), Jean-Claude Biver (TAG Heuer) accompanied by Brian Krzanich (Intel) and David Singleton (Google) just presented the TAG Heuer Connected Watch.
Some minutes ago the TAG Heuer Connected watch was unveiled by Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton, the world’s leading luxury products group and by Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of TAG Heuer & President of the LVMH Group’s Watches Division, accompanied by Brian Krzanich, CEO of Intel Corporation, and David Singleton, VP of Engineering for Android at Google here in New York at the LVMH Tower.
I know that TAG Heuer was working very hard on that project and was very much looking forward for this particular moment. Today the international press will see the newest baby that could change the brands future. No other Swiss luxury watch brand has yet presented something comparable. A watch that has all of the brands DNA and does not look like a cheap consumer electronic item for the wrist. The TAG Heuer Connected Watch will be judged critically, more than any other connected watch that came to the market yet.
Is it a good idea as Swiss luxury watch maker to launch such a watch?
Will the final consumer accept it?
Is the price ok? The price is set at 1500 USD, 1350 Euro, 1400 CHF, 1100 GBP
Will it spoil or enhance the brands DNA …
We will see …
Now please have look on the story I put together for you and at the end PLEASE let me know what you personally think …
If you are going to communicate about the TAG Heuer Connected watch don’t forget to add:
#ConnectedToEternity
TAG Heuer Connected Watch. #ConnectedToEternity
On the podium today Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton, the world’s leading luxury products group, Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of TAG Heuer & President of the LVMH Group’s Watches Division, accompanied by Brian Krzanich, CEO of Intel Corporation, and David Singleton, VP of Engineering for Android at Google.
Bernard Arnault, welcomed the distinguished guests in his LVMH Tower in New York and expressed how proud he is to attend this presentation …
Jean-Claude Biver announced: We are incredibly proud to be unveiling the first connected watch, which brings more than 150 years of history firmly into the future. The TAG Heuer Connected watch gives you the means not only to connect to the future, but also to connect to eternity.”
Brian Krzanich emphasized: “Intel makes amazing experiences possible with smart, connected technology. Together with TAG Heuer and Google we created a beautiful, intelligent and functional product that harmonizes the latest computing innovation with more than a century of watchmaking experience, timeless aesthetics and supreme quality.”
David Singleton agreed: “From Google Search to smartwatches, Google strives to give you the right information, at exactly the right time and place. Android is how we bring this helpful experience to many of the world’s devices. TAG Heuer Connected, powered by Android Wear, is a luxury watch that’s beautiful and incredibly useful. We are thrilled to present it along with TAG Heuer and Intel.”
This is the new TAG Heuer Connected Watch …
At 46 mm in diameter, the design of the TAG Heuer Connected is primarily that of a true chronograph, with a case, back and lugs made from grade 2 titanium. The latter is a contemporary material ensuring the watch is lighter and more resistant to impacts than a traditional material such as steel or gold.
Completed by a textured rubber strap (six colors are available – black, red, blue, white, orange, green and yellow) with a deploying buckle made of grade 2 titanium as well.
TAG Heuer has developed three digital watch dials, which feature the immediately recognizable design codes of TAG Heuer’s Carrera collection, including hands, index, counters, date window and minute track. The following digital watch dials will be available from the launch date: the chronograph dial, the 3-hand dial and the GMT dial.
All of which display the date and are available in a choice of three colors (black, deep blue or pearl white). The digital watch dials are reproducing the appearance and functions of a true dial, with shadows under the hands and the beautiful sunburst effect of the light. The TAG Heuer Connected is above all a watch, so the digital hands and indexes remain visible at all times, even when the watch is in ambient energy-saving mode.
Other watch faces will be made available, so you can try one customized by TAG Heuer’s ambassadors via the exclusive TAG Heuer app which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.
The TAG Heuer Connected is a true watch, both in terms of its appearance, with its watch faces and its minute tracks, but also in its “interactive counters”, thanks to the way in which its applications are displayed. The principle is simple: the dial and the hands remain, while the most pertinent information from partner applications is displayed inside the three counters on the chronograph dial at 12, 6 and 9 o’clock, completely integrated into the watch’s aesthetic environment. You simply need to touch the counter in question to open and interact with the application in full screen mode. Favorite applications, sports updates or alerts… it is easy to use and makes information simple to read, enabling the user to stay focused on the essential, without this spoiling the watch’s classic appearance.
The apps customized for TAG Heuer and available on an exclusive basis will be, to start with, Insiders (lifestyle), GolfShot Pro (golf), RaceChrono Pro (motor racing) and Viewrangers (trailing), which will be offered with free subscriptions.
GolfShot Pro
Viewrangers
A specially developed Software Development Kit (SDK) will allow enrichment.
The digital engine of the watch …
TAG Heuer worked closely with Intel and Google. The watch features an Intel® Atom™ processor Z34XX and runs the Android Wear platform. Intel engineered the intelligence inside the watch to optimize performance and enable a multitude of connectivity options including audio streaming, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi as well as allow users to harness the full range of features offered by the Android Wear operating system. With 4 GB of memory, and all day battery life thanks to its latest-generation lithium battery, the TAG Heuer Connected is equipped with a small microphone to communicate with via Google voice control and a sapphire crystal touchscreen – the indispensable complement to the crown at 3 o’clock which also houses controls.
The TAG Heuer Connected has been made water resistant for everyday use and is IP67 water resistance rated.
This is a cool feature …
What if the phone is not with you? No problem! The watch will continue to calculate, display, and exchange data, and as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection it will remain connected to the cloud. Naturally, its resident applications (music, timer, alarm, step counter) remain active even when no connection is available.
Android Wear and iOS …
Android Wear opens the watch up to an almost infinite universe, an ecosystem that enriches itself night and day: thousands of Android applications are already available for the TAG Heuer Connected watch to download. Of course, the necessary services or applications currently used by millions such as Google Fit, Google Translate, Google Maps and OK Google voice activation are already set up on the watch.
Google Fit
The watch can also be easily synced with a phone running either on Android or iOS. It is charged using a contact charger. Simply place the watch on top to recharge it. TAG Heuer offers a two-year warranty. This period is in line with the warranty standards that the Swiss watchmaker applies to its watches.
And this is the coolest feature of the watch …
Anyone who purchases a TAG Heuer Connected watch will have the opportunity to exchange it for a mechanical watch with real Swiss movement inside.
At the end of the connected watch’s two-year warranty period, customers can go to the TAG Heuer store of his or her choice to exchange the TAG Heuer Connected watch for a mechanical Swiss Made Carrera watch. With similar design, also made from grade 2 titanium, this mechanical watch has been exclusively developed and reserved for owners of connected watches. Its price is set at 1500 USD, 1350 Euro, 1400 CHF, 1100 GBP.
Well, I always knew Jean-Claude is a genius. Still, the trade-in option left me speechless… What a incredible offering! Congratulations – I am sure this will be a great success!!