Mobile device manufacturers are jumping on the wearable device bandwagon by launching smartwatches. Even Apple has come onboard with the AppleWatch, many believed that what Cupertino will unveil is going to send shivers down everyone’s spine in Switzerland as they were anticipating another iPhone-moment but it doesn’t look like that has happened. Regardless, it looks like some Switzerland-based luxury watchmakers are now exploring the smartwatch niche.
Swiss newspaper NZZ carried a report about luxury group LVMH planning to launch a smartwatch under the Tag Heuer watch brand that it owns. The group’s Jean-Claude Biver told the newspaper that “We want to launch a smartwatch at Tag Heuer, but it must not copy the Apple Watch.”
Biver also said that some other companies that are part of the Swiss watch industry are going to show off their own smartwatches at the Basel fair next spring. As far as Tag Heuer’s smartwatch is concerned Biver didn’t reveal any major details about it, but its unlikely to be priced to compete with $200-$300 smartwatches from mobile device manufacturers.
Tag Heuer makes its own Android smartphone but sets it apart by using luxury materials and quality craftsmanship. Its likely to go down the same route with the smartwatch. It will certainly be interesting to see what it comes up with.
Filed in . Read more about Smartwatches, Tag Heuer and Wearable Tech.