Thanks to the TAG Heuer Connected, you’ll now be able to reap the benefits of a smartwatch or a fitness tracker, without giving up your driver’s watch. TAG partnered with Google and Intel to make an intelligent wrist companion, while retaining its classic DNA. As proof, the Connected features three digital watch faces from the Carrera line (you know, the watchmaker’s auto racing collection).
Here’s the geeky stuff: The watch is equipped with 4GB of internal memory and battery life lasts up to 30 hours with normal use. It runs on the Android Wear platform and features a speedy Intel Atom Z34XX processor.
This isn’t a small timepiece either. The TAG Heuer Connected is 46mm across and is made of titanium. The sapphire crystal touchscreen is covered with an anti-fingerprint coating, and has been made water resistant for daily use. It also comes with a titanium buckle and a textured black rubber strap. Six other strap colors (red, blue, white, orange, green and yellow) can be bought separately.
To reproduce the appearance and functions of a real mechanical watch, there are three available dials to choose from: a chronograph dial, a three-hand dial, and a GMT dial. All of them display the date and are available in three colors: black, deep blue and pearl white.
The chronograph dial of the watch also features interactive counters at the 12-, 6- and 9 o’clock positions. The dial and hands remain, while the information from applications is displayed inside the three counters on the chronograph.
Real drivers will get to enjoy the RaceChrono app: A GPS lap timer designed especially for motorsports. Other downloadable applications for the watch include Google Maps, Google Fit, Google Translate, and Google Search. To utilize these apps the Connected has built-in components like a small microphone, a gyroscope, a tilt-detection sensor and a vibrations engine.
As you may have surmised, owning something that combines the guts of a powerful smartwatch and the feel of a premium driver’s watch isn’t cheap. Watchworks, the local distributor of the Swiss luxury watchmaker, is selling the TAG Heuer Connected for P69,999.
It’s obvious by now that smartwatches aren’t for everyone. But if you’re an Android user with disposable income and you feel like trying them out, the TAG Heuer Connected isn’t a bad place to start.
