Tag Heuer's First Smartwatch To Run Android Wear

By Kamal Nayan - 19 Mar '15 14:30PM

Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer has teamed up with Google and Intel to build its first smartwatch.

The announcement was made at the Baselworld trade show in Switzerland.

"There are two operating systems: one is Apple's iOS, the other is Android Wear - who are we to invent another language at that level?" Jean-Claude Biver, president of LVMH's watch division said.

"It would be absurd, it would be arrogant to believe that we could develop our own [operating system]. It would be a catastrophe to believe such a stupid thing.

"There is no doubt that we could eventually go to Apple, but why should we do a partnership with Apple, who is producing watches? On the one side they would be partners, on the other a competitor.

"Google is not producing watches, so the relationship is perfect."

Chipmaker Intel noted that Tag Heuer's 155-year-old brand had long been associated with "being dynamic, disruptive and modern."

"Our hope is that this type of partnership will set a precedent for other brands to consider diversifying into wearable tech and enhancing their products with technology," an Intel spokeswoman said.