IndependentsMay 01, 2024
Harwell Godfrey Opens First StoreIt is located in Marin County, California.
CollectionsMar 16, 2017
TAG Heuer Launches Smartwatch, Version 2.0
In a sign of the times, the watch was introduced at complementary press conferences held in Switzerland and Silicon Valley.
Like the first TAG Heuer smartphone before it, the Connected Modular 45 connects with the wearer’s smartphone to display alerts, like incoming calls and upcoming appointments, and control functions on the phone, like playing music.
Brunnen, Switzerland & San Francisco--TAG Heuer held complementary press conferences Tuesday to introduce the Connected Modular 45, its second smartwatch.
Those press conferences took place some 5,800 miles apart, and their respective locations were a definite sign of the times: Switzerland, the center of old-school watchmaking, and Silicon Valley, the center of everything that’s the exact opposite of old school.
Like its first smartwatch, which came out in November 2015, TAG Heuer’s Connected Modular 45 is a Carrera model watch that was engineered in collaboration with Intel. (TAG Heuer, in fact, now has an office on the Intel campus in Silicon Valley.)
It’s powered by an Intel processor and operates on Android Wear 2.0; Android Wear is the version of Google’s Android operating system developed for smartwatches and other wearables.
While developed in conjunction with companies based in Silicon Valley, the watch, including the motherboard that powers its “smart” functions, was produced in Switzerland, with the final assembly step and testing taking place at TAG Heuer headquarters in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
The new Connected is slightly smaller than the first version--45 mm vs. 46 mm--and is available in satin or polished grade 5 titanium, 18-karat plated rose gold or black ceramic, with or without diamonds.
In addition to connecting to the wearer’s smartphone, the watch has built-in GPS, a small microphone that allows the users to communicate with it using Google Assistant (the Siri of Androids), is water resistant to 50 meters and has a NFC chip, which means it can be used to make purchases at enabled points of sale using the Android Pay app.
TAG Heuer said it has 11 standard models of the Connected Modular 45 it will offer in stores, and will be able to create 45 others on request.
The brand also is selling a 3-hands Calibre 5 or Tourbillon Heuer 02-T mechanical movement module for sale that can be attached to the various bands available with the second generation smartwatch. “In this way,” TAG Heuer said in a news release announcing its new watch, “you can very easily change … your watch … from a connected watch to a mechanical watch and back again.”
TAG
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Heuer began selling the new smartwatch Tuesday at its boutiques, select retailers and online.
It starts at $1,690 retail and goes to $17,000 for a deluxe box set that include the titanium version of the new Connected with a brown leather strap and a rubber strap plus the Heuer-02T tourbillon mechanical module.
One of TAG Heuer’s press conferences introducing the Connected Modular 45 took place in Brunnen, Switzerland. Jean-Claude Biver, the president of LVMH’s watch division who also has been running TAG Heuer since late 2014, along with Intel’s Josh Walden and Google’s David Singleton, were among those in attendance.
Of the new smartwatch’s launch, Biver said, “After the huge success of the first TAG Heuer Connected watch, today I am proud to present the Connected Modular 45 … This innovative, unique and distinctive watch is at the forefront of the latest technologies available in Silicon Valley and, at the same time, a genuine Swiss watch, bearing the Swiss-made label.”
The second event took place in San Francisco and included Intel CEO Brian Krzanich, TAG Heuer General Manager Guy Semon and Tom Foldesi, the former Intel executive TAG tapped to lead its smartwatch program when it opened its Silicon Valley office in November 2016.
It starts at $1,690 retail and goes to $17,000 for a deluxe box set that include the titanium version of the new Connected with a brown leather strap and a rubber strap plus the Heuer-02T tourbillon mechanical module.
One of TAG Heuer’s press conferences introducing the Connected Modular 45 took place in Brunnen, Switzerland. Jean-Claude Biver, the president of LVMH’s watch division who also has been running TAG Heuer since late 2014, along with Intel’s Josh Walden and Google’s David Singleton, were among those in attendance.
Of the new smartwatch’s launch, Biver said, “After the huge success of the first TAG Heuer Connected watch, today I am proud to present the Connected Modular 45 … This innovative, unique and distinctive watch is at the forefront of the latest technologies available in Silicon Valley and, at the same time, a genuine Swiss watch, bearing the Swiss-made label.”
The second event took place in San Francisco and included Intel CEO Brian Krzanich, TAG Heuer General Manager Guy Semon and Tom Foldesi, the former Intel executive TAG tapped to lead its smartwatch program when it opened its Silicon Valley office in November 2016.
More on Collections
The Latest
SurveysMay 01, 2024
Consumer Confidence Falls in AprilConcerns about rising prices, politics, and global conflicts continue to dampen consumer outlook.
TrendsMay 01, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: All Eyes on EmeraldsMay’s birthstone is beloved for its rich green hue and its versatility.
Brought to you by
Rio’s Reimagined Podcast: For the Love of JewelersMeet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
SourcingMay 01, 2024
Opsydia Names New Sales and Marketing Director Jacqui Larsson joins Opsydia with nearly two decades of experience in the industry.
Weekly QuizApr 26, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
CrimeMay 01, 2024
Grand Jury to Hear Case Against Jeweler Charged in Fatal Shove Following IJO ShowLast month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
MajorsApr 30, 2024
Zales Celebrates 100 Years With New CampaignThe brand also created a 100-carat lab-grown diamond necklace in honor of its centennial.
Brought to you by
The Blueprint for Success in Scalable, Personalized Jewelry RetailWith Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
MajorsApr 30, 2024
Platinum Guild International Appoints New CEOTim Schlick has been promoted from his previous position as COO.
Events & AwardsApr 30, 2024
Canadian Jewellers Association Brings Back the Summit It’s the second year for the event, slated to take place in October in Toronto.
Recorded WebinarsApr 29, 2024
Watch: Diamond Identification and Evaluation - How to Protect your BusinessSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
SourcingApr 29, 2024
De Beers to Move Auction HQ from Singapore to BotswanaSales will be paused while the relocation takes place over the next few months.
IndependentsApr 29, 2024
Venus Jewelers Relocating After 45 YearsThe retailer is moving to a newly designed space in the same shopping center.
SurveysApr 29, 2024
Mother’s Day Jewelry Spending to Reach $7B, Says NRFGifts that are unique and thoughtful are top of mind this year, according to the annual survey.
CollectionsApr 26, 2024
Piece of the Week: Jacquie Aiche’s Starry Galaxy NecklaceThe necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
Events & AwardsApr 26, 2024
AGS Conclave and GIA Symposium Are ConvergingThe two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
SourcingApr 26, 2024
Anglo American Reportedly Shopping De Beers as BHP Eyes Anglo Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
Events & AwardsApr 25, 2024
Alexis Padis Takes Over as AGS Board President Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
EditorsApr 25, 2024
5 Tips for Creating Fans from the Top (Savannah) Banana Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment, shared the “five Es” of building a fan base during his AGS Conclave keynote.
WatchesApr 25, 2024
Audemars Piguet and John Mayer Partner on Limited Edition WatchThe Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
SourcingApr 25, 2024
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2024The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.
MajorsApr 25, 2024
Detroit Lions’ QB Jared Goff Keeps Going to JaredThe three-time Pro Bowler continues to partner with the retailer, donating to a Detroit nonprofit and giving watches to fans.
CrimeApr 24, 2024
Jewelry Crime Declines Significantly, But Dollar Losses Remain High A double-digit drop in the number of in-store crimes was offset by a jump in off-premises attacks, JSA’s 2023 crime report shows.
CollectionsApr 24, 2024
Pippa Small Announces ‘Venus’ CollectionInspired by the Roman goddess of love, the designer looked to the sea for her new collection.
FinancialsApr 24, 2024
Kering’s Jewelry Brands a Bright Spot in Tough Q1The luxury titan posted declining sales, weighed down by Gucci’s poor performance.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2024
JCK Industry Fund Announces 2024 Grant RecipientsThe selected nine organizations have outlined their plans for the funds.
SourcingApr 24, 2024
Rio Tinto’s Q1 Production Drops Amid Pause to Honor Lost Colleagues The mining company’s Diavik Diamond Mine lost four employees in a plane crash in January.
