Tag Heuer’s plot to overthrow the Apple Watch before it’s even landed is well under way as the luxury brand confirms its own smartwatch project is already four months old.
Jean-Claude Biver, the interim chief exec of Tag Heuer, has revealed the company already has several partnerships secured, and is considering acquisitions to boost its fledgling wearable’s potential.
The ritzy watchmaker was rumoured to be planning a dive into the wearable tech space earlier this month, with chatter pointing to Intel for the smartwatch’s processing heft.
Biver said, as reported by Reuters: “
The Tag Heuer team reportedly refused to comment whether Intel was actually involved in the process, but the rumour mill is tipping an Intel-sired wearable microprocessor paired with built-in sensors for health-tracking.
Guy Semon, GM at Tag Heuer, explained the reasoning behind the newly announced smartwatch at the firm’s Swiss HQ: “Smartwatches represent a challenge to the Swiss industry that is comparable to the appearance of quartz technology.
“We cannot ignore this tusnami that is coming closer.”
He continued: “We’ll only do it if we can be first, different and unique.”
Related: LG G Watch R review
Tag Heuer has long been vocal about the state of the wearable tech industry, with Biver slamming the Apple Watch as ‘too feminine’ when it launched back in September.
Biver even went as far as describing the device as looking ‘like it was designed by a student,’ and revealed he thought Apple had made ‘some fundamental mistakes.’
“This watch has no sex appeal. [It] looks too much like the smartwatches already on the market,” he added.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
