Tag Heuer CEO Jean-Claude Biver is “satisfied” with sales of the TAG Heuer Connected smartwatch sales so far. Some 56,000 units have been sold since its launch in November 2015. He also confirmed in an interview with Switzerland’s Neue Zürcher Zeitung that a new collection will be unveiled in May.
Biver first mentioned a second generation of Tag Heuer smartwatches back in late 2015. When production of the Connected was first increased in response to initial demand, Biver confirmed that “a collection made out of different varieties, executions and materials” would follow in late 2016 or early 2017.
Without revealing too much about the new collection, Biver said that it would benefit from a new mobile payment function, improved GPS “accurate to one meter,” better reception, longer battery life and more powerful displays. Along with different colours and materials, there will be a smaller model intended for women and the Asian market and a larger one. It will be powered by Android Wear 2.0 and an Intel processor.
The original Tag Heuer Connected smartwatch will also be upgraded to Android Wear 2.0.
Addressing the issue of plummeting smartwatch sales, Biver said, “One must not forget that the Smartwatch is only at the beginning of its existence, we are certainly still in the Stone Age of this product.”
Biver, who recently became the interim CEO for Zenith Watches, another brand owned by Tag Heuer parent company LVMH Swiss Manufactures SA, also said that Zenith will not release any smartwatches.
Source : Neue Zürcher Zeitung