Closely following the much-awaited launch of Android Wear 2.0, widely recognized Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer has today taken the wraps off its latest piece of artwork — Connected Modular 45. This is the successor to the company’s previous luxurious Android Wear-powered smartwatch ‘Connected’ and has been developed in collaboration with Intel and Google. This smartwatch is an item of luxury and you’d need to shell out £1,400 (approx $1650) to own one.
Speaking on the release on the smartwatch, TAG Heuer’s CEO Jean-Claude Biver said,
After the huge success of the first TAG Heuer Connected watch, today I am very proud to present the Connected Modular 45. This is a Swiss watch which embodies the luxury codes of tomorrow, and which not only enables you to connect to the future but also to connect to eternity thanks to its simple and smart modular design.
The Tag Heuer Connected Modular 45 is an elegant smartwatch, which is encased in polished grade 5 titanium (for the classic variant). It sports a 1.39-inch AMOLED display which is packed in a round body measuring 45 mm in diameter and 13.2 mm in thickness. The smartwatch is covered in 2.5 mm sapphire crystal glass with sensors and antennas in the outer ring.
It is powered by an Intel Z34XX Atom processor coupled with 4GB of onboard storage. It includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, NFC but no LTE connectivity or heart rate sensor. Tag Heuer has not only focused on style but other features as well. It is water resistant up to 50 meters and includes an ambient light sensor to provide you with up to 30 hours of battery life.
The Connected Modular 35 runs on Android Wear 2.0 and packs all the new features — Android Pay, standalone Play Store, Google Assistant, and iOS support — which is arriving soon. This update is coming to the previous Connected Watch as well, confirmed Tag Heuer. David Singleton, VP of Android Engineering at Google talked about the collaboration as under:
The first generation of the TAG Heuer Connected pushed the boundary of what is possible when you combine traditional watchmaking and cutting-edge technology. We’re excited to work with TAG Heuer again to create a new powerful connected watch that demonstrates the ongoing innovation of TAG Heuer’s craftsmanship and the Android Wear platform.
In addition, Intel might’ve helped Tag Heuer design, power, and assemble the smartwatch in Switzerland but that’s not where their partnership comes to an end. The chipmaker is definitely powering the most expensive Android Wear 2.0 smartwatch but it is also planning to develop and release its own intelligent assistant via this watch. It won’t be available at launch but will eventually make its way to Tag and Oakley watches.
It is not exactly why Intel is planning to push out its own assistant when the system already has Google Assistant, but it is expected to have similar capabilities, reports The Verge. The said voice assistant would not have a name or gender but will be capable of carrying out contextual conversations — answering follow-up questions without losing context. There is currently no more information on it.
Commenting on the partnership, Josh Walden, Senior VP and GM of New Technology Group at Intel said,
Engineering the next wave of smart and connected devices with iconic partners is a core strategy for Intel. We are thrilled to continue our strong collaboration with TAG Heuer. With innovative design and technology, the TAG Heuer Connected Modular 45 redefines the capabilities of a luxury smartwatch.
The said smartwatch lives up to its name and is probably one of the most customizable smartwatches available on the market till date. While most other watches have enabled users to swap in straps, Tag Heuer Connected Modular 45 takes the customization up a notch. It makes every part of the watch – including the central module, straps, buckles, and horns – interchangeable. The watchmaker is now offering a selection of 11 standard models, with more than 45 others on request.
The center module of the Connected Modular 45 can be made out of either satin or polished grade 5 titanium, or plated with 18K 5N rose gold, or in black ceramic. And to add on to a luxurious touch, you also have the option to choose between a classic or diamond-studded smartwatch. There are several strap options — rubber, leather, titanium or ceramic, which are available in different colors. In total, all the different choices add up to 56, which go over 500 when mixed and matched.
