Smartwatches with a Luxury Twist
Smartwatches have come a long way from being simple step trackers and notification centres. While mainstream brands like Apple and Samsung dominate the market, luxury watchmakers have entered the arena, infusing cutting-edge technology with haute horology. From high-end materials to intricate craftsmanship, these timepieces prove that smartwatches can be just as refined as their mechanical counterparts. Let’s take a look at some of the finest examples where technology meets tradition.
TAG Heuer: The Swiss Connection
TAG Heuer has long been at the forefront of innovation, so it’s no surprise that the brand has successfully merged smart technology with Swiss watchmaking. The TAG Heuer Connected series is a shining example, offering the refinement of traditional luxury watches with the functionality of a smartwatch.
Powered by Wear OS, the Connected models provide a seamless digital experience, including Google Assistant, heart rate monitoring, and various sports tracking capabilities. However, what truly sets them apart is the craftsmanship—ceramic bezels, titanium cases, and interchangeable rubber straps ensure that this is not just another gadget but a legitimate luxury timepiece. Additionally, TAG Heuer offers bespoke dials inspired by its mechanical timepieces, reinforcing the brand’s DNA in a digital format. The brand has also collaborated with Porsche, extending the Connected range with an exclusive TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Porsche Edition, integrating subtle automotive design elements with smartwatch features tailored for Porsche owners.
Hublot: Bold, Brash, and Brilliant
If there’s one brand unafraid to push boundaries, it’s Hublot. The Hublot Big Bang E takes the brand’s signature oversized aesthetic and injects it with smart functionality. Running on Google’s Wear OS, it offers features like mobile payments, fitness tracking, and customisable dials that echo Hublot’s mechanical designs.
What truly makes the Big Bang E stand out is its luxurious construction. Crafted from materials like black ceramic and titanium, it maintains the robust, avant-garde look that defines Hublot. Limited editions, such as collaborations with artists and football associations, elevate it further, making it a statement piece for those who appreciate bold design and cutting-edge tech. The watch also features an AMOLED display, high-resolution touch screen, and a distinctive rotary crown for intuitive navigation, ensuring it offers both style and function.
Louis Vuitton: Travel in Style
Luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton has also stepped into the smartwatch realm with the Tambour Horizon Light Up. As expected from LV, this watch is as much about aesthetics as it is about function. It features an edge-to-edge AMOLED display surrounded by a ring of 24 LED lights that create a mesmerising light show when activated.
Beyond the visuals, the Tambour Horizon is powered by Louis Vuitton’s own software, making it independent from Wear OS and allowing for a more curated experience. It includes travel-focused apps, exclusive watch faces, and seamless integration with the Louis Vuitton ecosystem, including luggage tracking. With sapphire crystal construction and luxurious strap options, this smartwatch is the perfect companion for the globe-trotting elite. Unlike many competitors, the LV smartwatch forgoes traditional fitness tracking and instead leans into lifestyle luxury, appealing to those who value aesthetics, exclusivity, and travel convenience over sports features.
Montblanc: The Executive’s Choice
For those who prefer understated luxury, Montblanc’s Summit 3 is an ideal smartwatch. Unlike the flashier options from Hublot or Louis Vuitton, the Summit 3 exudes quiet sophistication, blending fine watchmaking with modern connectivity.
The titanium case, polished finish, and leather strap options ensure it retains the feel of a high-end timepiece. Running on Wear OS, it delivers productivity tools, health tracking, and smart notifications while maintaining an elegant presence. Montblanc has positioned the Summit 3 as the perfect companion for business professionals who require tech without compromising on style. The brand also integrates sustainability into its materials, with responsibly sourced leather and eco-conscious packaging, ensuring that the luxury extends beyond mere aesthetics.
Breitling: The Pilot’s Smartwatch
For those who demand precision and aviation heritage, the Breitling Exospace B55 is an outstanding choice. More of a hybrid than a full-on smartwatch, it combines Breitling’s aeronautical DNA with digital functionality. Pilots will appreciate features like flight log memory, dual time zones, and smartphone connectivity for enhanced control.
Unlike fully digital smartwatches, the Exospace B55 retains analog hands and a titanium case, ensuring it looks and feels like a true Breitling. It’s a tool watch at heart, designed for professionals who require both connectivity and traditional wrist presence.
What sets the Exospace B55 apart is its aviation-specific functions tailored for professionals. It allows pilots to record flight times and logs directly from the watch, a feature rarely seen in other smartwatches. Additionally, its SuperQuartz™ movement—which Breitling claims is ten times more accurate than standard quartz—ensures extreme precision. The watch also features a chronograph with a flyback function, a must-have for aviators conducting rapid time resets.
Moreover, the Exospace B55 is designed for readability under all conditions, with high-contrast LCD displays that feature a backlight activated by a simple tilt of the wrist. This makes it particularly useful during night flights or high-intensity situations where quick glances matter. With a 100m water resistance rating, it also holds up in demanding environments beyond the cockpit, making it a versatile tool for pilots, adventurers, and those who appreciate Breitling’s aviation legacy.
Garmin: Rugged Luxury
Garmin might not be a traditional luxury watchmaker, but the Garmin MARQ collection proves that high-end smartwatches can cater to adventurers, athletes, and professionals. Built with titanium, sapphire crystal, and premium leather or silicone straps, MARQ models offer a balance between cutting-edge technology and rugged luxury.
The MARQ series includes specialised models such as the MARQ Aviator, MARQ Captain, and MARQ Golfer, each tailored to specific lifestyles with unique functions. Whether it’s preloaded golf courses, aviation maps, or sailing assistance, Garmin ensures that functionality remains at the forefront. Unlike most smartwatches, MARQ models feature ultra-long battery life and offline mapping, making them a true luxury choice for those who demand performance in extreme conditions. Garmin’s use of Pulse Ox sensors, built-in topo maps, and jet lag advisor technology also ensures that MARQ watches go beyond everyday wear, positioning them as serious instruments for dedicated adventurers and professionals.
Ressence: The Futuristic Hybrid
Independent watchmaker Ressence has redefined what a smartwatch can be with the Type 2. Unlike traditional smartwatches, the Type 2 incorporates an e-Crown system, which automatically sets and adjusts the time based on smartphone synchronisation while maintaining the look of a mechanical watch.
This unique approach ensures that the watch remains true to traditional horology while embracing digital advancements. The e-Crown allows wearers to switch between different time zones at a tap and even enter power-saving mode, reducing the need for manual adjustments. With its sleek, oil-filled dial and mechanical movement, the Ressence Type 2 is a forward-thinking watch that bridges the gap between past and future. The watch also features solar cells hidden beneath the dial, enabling it to recharge automatically when exposed to light, making it one of the most self-sufficient high-end smartwatches on the market.
Final Thoughts
Luxury smartwatches are no longer just about notifications and fitness tracking—they’ve become extensions of fine watchmaking. Whether it’s TAG Heuer’s Swiss refinement, Hublot’s bold statements, or Garmin’s rugged functionality, each brand brings something unique to the table. As technology continues to evolve, the fusion of smart features with high-end craftsmanship will only become more seamless, proving that the future of luxury watches is both digital and timeless.
