Android Wear to Come to Luxury Watches

While many have speculated that the advent and popularity of smartwatches could ultimately bring about the end of traditional timepieces, it looks as though Swiss watchmakers are actually embracing the devices. Today, Google announced a partnership with both Intel and TAG Heuer to bring the Android Wear interface to more traditional luxury watches.

Perhaps a reaction of sorts to the Apple Watch and the expensive, upscale editions of the highly-anticipated device, the partnership will see TAG incorporating Android into a yet-to-be-seen design while Intel will assist with the internal components and various sensors for the watch. This marks what may ultimately be the first Android device to utilize Intel chips — previous Android Wear watches have used processors from both Qualcomm and Texas Instruments.

While it remains unknown when exactly the watch will launch or what its price point will be, Reuters reports that the design will be a “digital replica of the original TAG Heuer black Carrera, known for its bulky, sporty allure, and will look like the original” while Google’s Android Wear director of engineering, David Singleton, says the watches will “focus on the quality and performance that are expected from TAG Heuer.”