TAG Heuer has announced its second smartwatch based on Google's Android Wear platform. The Swiss luxury watchmaker has launched the new Connected Modular 45, which is a modular take on company's first smartwatch launched previously, and adds more depth to Android Wear 2.0's limited lineup.
At $1,650, TAG Heuer Connected Modular 45 is undoubtedly one of the most expensive smartwatches in the market. TAG Heuer claims to have sold over 56,000 units of the first-gen Connected smartwatch and says there is a market for luxury smartwatches existing right now. The Connected Modular 45 features a 45mm watchface and a 1.39-inch circular AMOLED display. The display is protected by Sapphire Glass, and the display offers 400 x 400 pixels screen resolution.
The Connected Modular 45 is powered by the Intel Atom Z34XX chipset and comes with 512MB RAM and 4GB storage. The smartwatch is water resistant by up to 50 meters and supports Bluetooth, GPS and NFC. The smartwatch is backed by a 410mAh battery, which the company claims should last for two days of moderate usage.
The TAG Heuer Connected Modular 45 is, however, not about its smartwatch prowess but rather about the modular functionality. The new Connected smartwatch can instantly change from a smartwatch to a mechanical watch. The modular design allows users to swap smartwatch modules for a mechanical module, or even add a Tourbillon chronograph to the mix. The watch comes with interchangeable lugs, buckles and straps.
TAG Heuer is also announcing TAG Heuer Studio – a new watch configurator that allows users to customise their watch face by picking from over 30 different faces. While the original Connected smartwatch users had an option to trade their smartwatch for a new Carrera model, the new Connected Modular 45 makes the transition even more seamless. At $1,650, the TAG Heuer Connected 45 is a huge premium to pay for a smartwatch, but it will certainly appeal to those who want smart and mechanical movements at the same place, and have the money to pay for it.