Smartwatch

In the luxury watch sector, the term smartwatch represents a complex and multifaceted development. It signifies not so much a competitor to traditional watchmaking but rather an adaptation to new technologies, combining classic craftsmanship with modern digital features. Luxury smartwatches are the intersection between the world of high-tech gadgets and the prestige-driven market of mechanical timepieces. 
What distinguishes a luxury smartwatch from a standard one?
Luxury smartwatches set themselves apart from mass-market products like the Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch in the following ways:

• High-Quality Materials: Unlike standard smartwatches, which are often made of plastic or basic aluminum, luxury brands use premium materials for their smart models. These include:
  • Grade 5 Titanium: Valued for its lightness and durability, as seen in the Garmin MARQ.
  • Precious Metals: Some models are crafted from gold or other precious metals.
  • Sapphire Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal is often used for the display.
• Traditional Craftsmanship: Luxury brands apply their traditional watchmaking skills to smartwatches. This is evident in the elaborate finishing of the case, the high-quality straps, and often the watch faces, which are inspired by classic mechanical models.
• Exclusive Design: The design of a luxury smartwatch is generally more elegant and subtle, catering to the style-conscious luxury consumer. Models like the TAG Heuer Connected or the Montblanc Summit combine timeless aesthetics with modern technology.
• Focus on Status Symbol: While luxury smartwatches offer the usual smart functions, they are often more about brand prestige and a status symbol than their conventional counterparts. 

Types of luxury smartwatches
Luxury brands take different approaches to implementing the smartwatch concept: 

• Full-Fledged Smartwatches: Brands like TAG Heuer (Connected), Montblanc (Summit), and Hublot (Big Bang e) produce full-featured smartwatches with an operating system, touchscreen, and comprehensive app integration. They focus on a luxurious look and feel.
• Hybrid Smartwatches: Some brands opt for a hybrid approach, combining the appearance of a classic mechanical watch with smart functions operating in the background. Models like the Withings ScanWatch or the Citizen CZ Smart Hybrid have analog hands but offer features like activity tracking and notifications.
• Collaborations: Tech companies also collaborate with luxury brands to create exclusive models. A well-known example is the Apple Watch Hermès. 

The challenge for traditional watchmakers
The introduction of smartwatches has posed a challenge to the traditional watch industry. Many brands had to decide how to deal with the new technology. 

• Innovation vs. Tradition: Some argue that smartwatches cannot achieve the longevity and collector's value of mechanical watches. Mechanical watches hold their value for generations, while smartwatches, like any electronic device, become obsolete and need to be replaced regularly.
• Supplement, Not Replacement: For many luxury watch enthusiasts, smartwatches are not a replacement but a supplement to their mechanical watch. The mechanical watch is worn for special occasions, while the smartwatch is used for daily activities and sports. 

Conclusion
In the luxury watch sector, smartwatch means a fusion of traditional watchmaking and modern digital technology. It's about maintaining the status symbol and aesthetics of a luxury watch while integrating the connectivity and functions of the digital world. Brands like TAG Heuer, Montblanc, and Hublot show how this can be successfully implemented by focusing on high-quality materials, exclusive design, and craftsmanship to stand out from the crowd. 

In the course of digitization and data collection, so-called "smartwatches" have become established among broad sections of the population.
First and foremost among people interested in sports and communication who always want to be informed about everything in real time.
Apple's smartwatch is now the best-selling watch in the world. 
However, as a "classic" watch retailer, we want to focus on the brands we represent and carry the model from Tag Heuer, which you can find here on our site.
  
A frequently asked question is whether the smartwatch will drive the classic watches from the market. We are clearly of the opinion that this is not the case. For those who buy a watch for the sole purpose of being able to read the time, a smartwatch will be a clear alternative, but for the many watch lovers, the art behind watchmaking and the tradition associated with it is a reason to buy. The longevity and quality of the major watch manufacturers speaks for traditional watches. These are gladly passed down from generation to generation. The technology of a smartwatch is like smartphones after a few years outdated. Many features that a smartwatch offers are practical, but that is not always the main consideration when buying a watch. It is not just a gadget but a piece of jewelry. TAG Heuer has found a great middle ground here, with classic watch design and the intended features. 
Smartwatches have become an integral part of our everyday lives, giving us great ways to track our steps, send messages and all that on our wrist. But they will not drive the classic watch from our wrists.