Intel, Google announce partnership with Tag Heuer for Android Wear-powered smartwatch

The announcement was made as the Baselworld watch show kicked off in Switzerland. Unfortunately, aside from the news of the Tag Heuer partnership itself, there are no details on an imminent watch. What we do know is that Google and its partners are working on competing against the more luxurious premium Apple Watch Edition.

Guy Sémon, General Manager of TAG Heuer added to today's announcement:

"The quality of Swiss watches is renowned worldwide. When this is allied with the creative technology and global power of two companies like Intel and Google, using the Android Wear platform and based on Intel technology, we can see the launch of a technological revolution in our industry, of which I am proud to be a pioneer today with TAG Heuer."

If you're interested in premium hardware and happen to want a smartphone that would match an Android Wear-powered smartwatch launched by TAG Heuer, you may want to check out the Tag Heuer Racer. We'll be waiting impatiently to see what the companies unveil.

A dedicated launch event for the watch is expected later this year, as well as the watch itself, which is slated for Q4.

BASEL, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TAG Heuer, Google and Intel have announced a partnership to launch a Swiss smartwatch powered by Intel technology and Android Wear. The effort signifies a new era of collaboration between Swiss watchmakers and Silicon Valley, bringing together each company's respective expertise in luxury watchmaking, software and hardware.

"Swiss watchmaking and Silicon Valley is a marriage of technological innovation with watchmaking credibility. Our collaboration provides a rich host of synergies, forming a win-win partnership, and the potential for our three companies is enormous"

The collaboration was made official at Baselworld, during a press conference held on Thursday 19th March at the TAG Heuer booth. Jean-Claude Biver, President of the Watch Division LVMH Group and CEO of TAG Heuer, David Singleton, Director of Engineering for Android Wear, and Michael Bell, Corporate Vice President and General Manager of Intel's New Devices Group, joined each other on stage.

Together, these companies will create a product that is both luxurious and seamlessly connected to its wearer's daily life—a culmination of innovation, creativity and design from Silicon Valley in California and the Watch Valley in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.

"Swiss watchmaking and Silicon Valley is a marriage of technological innovation with watchmaking credibility. Our collaboration provides a rich host of synergies, forming a win-win partnership, and the potential for our three companies is enormous," said Jean-Claude Biver.

Guy Sémon, General Manager of TAG Heuer added: "The quality of Swiss watches is renowned worldwide. When this is allied with the creative technology and global power of two companies like Intel and Google, using the Android Wear platform and based on Intel technology, we can see the launch of a technological revolution in our industry, of which I am proud to be a pioneer today with TAG Heuer."

David Singleton noted, "By fusing beauty with technology, the Swiss watch has inspired generations of artists and engineers alike—including us at Google. So we're thrilled to be working with TAG Heuer and Intel to bring a unique blend of emotion and innovation to the luxury market. Together, and using the Android Wear platform, we can imagine a better, beautiful, smarter watch."

"As we work to enable technology experiences that provide greater utility and value to people, Intel is confident that a collective approach will inspire new innovation in wearable technology. The collaboration with TAG Heuer and Google brings us closer to realizing the vision of wearable technology with a distinctive smartwatch that elevates the category," remarked Michael Bell.

Rich Edmonds