While analog and mechanical watches will always have a place in the hearts of true-blue horologists, there’s a new wave of smartwatches that are finding their way to be among the ranks of the great watch maisons. Smartwatches charm with their ability to multitask – pair that with the design, heritage and know-how of old maisons and you have watches that bridge traditionalists and forward-looking adopters, connecting past, present and future.
Here are 6 luxury smartwatches proving that even the most traditional watchmakers cannot escape the influence of technology in a world that’s getting increasingly digital.
Louis Vuitton Tambour Horizon
The Tambour Horizon connected watch offers a unique connected experience that fully embodies Louis Vuitton’s signature Spirit of Travel. Reminiscent of its analog predecessors, the Tambour Horizon’s distinctive case is available in four materials and colors and can be continually personalised by switching out the interchangeable straps. Thanks to an entirely digital touch screen dial, the Tambour Horizon’s watch face serves as a rich, interactive display with a variety of content including classic connected watch functions, as well as several Louis Vuitton exclusive features. Additionally, Louis Vuitton continually shares new watch face designs for the Tambour Horizon inspired by the latest Men’s and Women’s fashion collections or to celebrate seasonal moments and holidays. W louisvuitton.com
Montblanc Summit 2+
Fine watchmaking meets state-of-the-art technology with the Summit 2, the latest addition to Montblanc’s Summit collection of connected smartwatches. It features a larger screen, increased battery life and an integrated speaker is the first luxury smartwatch with cellular connectivity, powered with Wear OS by Google, that measures your well-being and helps navigate the world, whatever situation you might find yourself in. The first smartwatch with an eSim solution from Wear OS by Google allows you to make calls, answer messages, make contactless payments and stream music to wireless headphones directly from your watch. Fitness, exploration or travel – the Summit collection is for doing it all the high-tech way with exclusive apps and unique features housed in one of the most elegant smartwatch out there. W montblanc.com
TAG Heuer Connected
Among the first watchmakers to enter the connected game, TAG Heuer’s watchmaking expertise forms a combination of exceptional technologies with connectivity and design excellence. The TAG Heuer Connected is tailored for performance with a dedicated Sports App that measures vitals from running and cycling to gold and fitness. Wellness is not forgotten with features that for following your heart rate live, achieving your daily calories and step goals, and analysing details of your activity to help you stay active and keep the rhythm. Powered by Wear OS by Google, you will also never miss a thing again with cellular device support from SMS and emails to calls. W tagheuer.com
Hublot Big Bang e
In 2018, the first connected version of the Big Bang made its debut. And now, Hublot unveils the Big Bang e, the new incarnation of the brand’s Art of Fusion ethos: a fusion between tradition and innovation, cutting edge materials and the latest digital technology. Transferring their traditional expertise into this new digital environment, the designers in Nyon have developed new watch functionalities. Apart from the “Time Only” analogue function, the Big Bang e features exclusive interpretations of traditional watch complications, such as a Perpetual Calendar with an immaculately precise moon phase or a second GMT time zone, which presents the earth in a very realistic way. These functionalities have been revisited and enhanced to take advantage of the possibilities offered by the digital world. Despite this built-in technology, Hublot guarantees the watch is water-resistant to a depth of 30 meters. W hublot.com
Breitling Exospace B55
In creating its first connected chronograph, Breitling places the smartphone in the service of the watch so as to enhance its functionality. The Exospace B55 houses an exclusive caliber equipped with a range of original functions tailor-made for pilots and yachtsman: an electronic tachymeter, a ”countdown/countup“ system, a “chrono flight” and “chrono regatta” device for recording flight and regatta times, respectively, while memorising departure and arrival times. The user-friendliness of this model is enhanced by the simple and logical control mode, and two ultra-legible LCD screens with backlighting system that can be activated by pressing the crown or tilting the wrist. This futuristic, high-tech innovation features a titanium case with rider-tab bezel as well as a sturdy, sporty strap. W breitling.com
Frederique Constant Smartwatch Vitality
Frederique Constant introduces the Smartwatch Vitality, a connected watch bursting with technology that still respects its classical design by hiding a digital dial revealed only on demand. In addition to the features that were key to the success of its predecessors, the Smartwatch Vitality embraces a major innovation in the form of a new generation, integrated sensor powered by Philips Wearable Sensing, which can measure the heart rate directly from the wrist. The Smartwatch Vitality has a dial with two faces – a first at Frederique Constant. The first is characterised by Roman numerals and hand-polished hour and minute hands… chic and contemporary classicism for those who appreciate sophisticated timepieces with a refined look. W frederiqueconstant.com
(Photos: Respective brands)