Swiss smartwatches multiply as makers hunt millennial buyers

A staff member demonstrates functions of a new Tag Heuer Connected Modular 45 model watch after its presentation in Brunnen, Switzerland, March 14, 2017. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

Swiss watchmakers are diving further into the unproven smartwatch market, with Montblanc, TAG Heuer and Tissot seeking to attract younger shoppers with a technology the industry largely snubbed until consumers began turning away from traditional timepieces. 

TAG Heuer on March 14 unveiled the new generation of a US$1,650 (RM7,315) smartwatch it makes with partners Google and Intel. Two days later, Montblanc followed with the US$890 (RM3,945) Summit. Also on March 16, Swatch Group chief executive officer Nick Hayek announced plans for a Tissot connected watch using a proprietary operating system.