TAG Heuer, Intel and Google Teaming Up to Make First 'Luxury' Android Wear Smartwatch

[dgstorm]

This isn't exactly Apple news, but it's solid evidence that the new Apple Watch has the attention of the Swiss watch industry, so we wanted to share it here.

It looks like the launch of the Apple Watch made several different industries stand up and take notice. While Samsung, Motorola, LG and others have been busily making smartwatches, none of the big named Swiss watch makers have really paid much attention. That is, until now.

TAG Heuer, one of the most well-known watch companies out of Switzerland, just announced a new partnership with Intel and Google to make the industry's first "luxury" Android Wear-based smartwatch. Jean-Claude Biver, head of watches for the luxury group LVMH, which is TAG Heuer's parent company, revealed that they wanted to team up with Google because Google doesn't produce its own watch, but instead just makes Android Wear available.

Here's a quote from Biver,

"There are two operating systems: one is Apple's iOS, the other is Android Wear - who are we to invent another language at that level? It would be absurd, it would be arrogant to believe that we could develop our own [operating system]. It would be a catastrophe to believe such a stupid thing.

There is no doubt that we could eventually go to Apple, but why should we do a partnership with Apple, who is producing watches? On the one side they would be partners, on the other a competitor.

"Google is not producing watches, so the relationship is perfect."

The above image is the TAG Heuer Formula and is simply an example of one of their designs. It is not necessarily indicative of any Android Wear watch design.​

Sadly, they didn't share any technical details, nor pricing, nor a timeframe for launch. Here's another quote from the Intel press release with a few more details regarding the partnership,

Guy Sémon, General Manager of TAG Heuer added: "The quality of Swiss watches is renowned worldwide. When this is allied with the creative technology and global power of two companies like Intel and Google, using the Android Wear platform and based on Intel technology, we can see the launch of a technological revolution in our industry, of which I am proud to be a pioneer today with TAG Heuer."

David Singleton [Director of Engineering for Android Wear] 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."

"As we work to enable technology experiences that provide greater utility and value to people, Intel is confident that a collective approach will inspire new innovation in wearable technology. The collaboration with TAG Heuer and Google brings us closer to realizing the vision of wearable technology with a distinctive smartwatch that elevates the category," remarked Michael Bell [Corporate Vice President and General Manager of Intel's New Devices Group].

Source: Intel