Breitling, TAG Heuer to Create Luxury Smartwatches

Swiss luxury watchmakers Breitling has revealed its first smartwatch called the B55 Connected. However, the new accessory will not operate anything like Apple and Android Wear devices.

According to the luxury company, its new timepiece will not have a touchscreen nor a parade of apps. Instead, consumers will be able to connect the watch via Bluetooth to his or her smartphone. A number of related functionalities such as flight time, time zone, and calendar settings will be able to be controlled via the individual’s smartphone app.

Pricing of the B55 Connected has not been officially announced, but is expected to be around $10,000. Breitling is not the only Swiss watchmaker adding smartwatches to its line.

With the help of Google and Intel, luxury watchmaker TAG Heuer is also working on a new smartwatch. It remains unsure what the watch will look like, but what is certain is the timepiece will include the hardware of Intel as well as Google’s Android Wear operating system.

The partnership was announced at a press conference at Baselworld.

According to a statement made by Jean-Claude Biver, President of the Watch Division LVMH Group and CEO of TAG Heuer, “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.”

David Singleton, Director of Engineering for Android Wear, also noted, “By fusing beauty with technology, the Swiss watch has inspired generations of artists and engineers alike — including us at Google. So we’re thrilled to be working with TAG Heuer and Intel to bring a unique blend of emotion and innovation to the luxury market. Together, and using the Android Wear platform, we can imagine a better, beautiful, smarter watch.”

TAG Heuer’s device will begin at $10,000.

Swatch will also create its own smartwatch. The Swatch Touch Zero One will combine design and new Beach Volley functions for players and fans, as stated in the press release. Features will include touchscreen and built-in backlight to finger-tap and side-swipe access to six timing functions. There will be access to a number of Beach Volley functions as well as additional information when connected to the free Touch Zero Connected App.

A price point has not been released by Swatch as of yet.

Other Swiss watchmakers creating smartwatches include: Fredrique Constant, Alpina and Mondaine.

(Photo of Breitling’s B55 Connected via 9to5mac.com, Photo of Swatch Touch Zero One via Swatch)