The luxury industry’s relationship with wearable technology was stand-offish at first, but as these high-end smartwatches show, that’s all changing. While there’s nothing quite like a traditional watch, iconic timepiece, it’s still worth embracing the future. And guess what? Technology is the future.
Hermès for Apple Watch
OK, so it doesn’t matter how you dress it, it’s still an Apple Watch – right? Judging by the response to last year’s Hermès Apple Watch straps, no. Sprinkling Cupertino’s debut smartwatch with Parisian luxury has earned it a new following. So successful was the first entente between the two that they’ve released a second run. It includes this single tour strap in Hermès’s iconic orange.
For more information visit Apple.
Breitling Exospace B55 Connected
Breitling’s take on the smartwatch is, in keeping with the company’s heritage, a tool watch aimed at pilots. Paired with a smartphone, it can be programmed to calculate and record all manner of flight information that can then be reviewed either on the watch or the phone – as you wish. So no gimmicks, and no harassment from alerts. Its case is titanium, and the dial and strap come in blue, dark grey or black.
For more information, visit Breitling
Bulgari Diagono Magnesium Concept Watch
Bulgari’s connected watch is a hybrid. It’s not a smartphone proxy, so you won’t find activity trackers here. Instead, what you get is a ‘digital vault’ created by Swiss cybersecurity firm WiseKey, and an automatic mechanical movement housed in a magnesium case. The in-built NFC chip stores passwords, bank account details and so on, all managed through the Bulgari Vault app.
For more information, visit Bulgari
De Grisogono Samsung Gear S2
Samsung has tapped black diamond specialists De Grisogono for a luxe take on its flagship smartwatch. This limited-edition connected timepiece is focused on the ladies’ market and decorated with more than 100 black and white diamonds. It’s got a rose gold bezel and push buttons, and comes on a black galuchat band. A bold entry into the high-technology jewellery world, it’s unlikely to be the only release the collaboration yields.
For more information, visit De Grisogono
This article was taken from our May/June issue, subscribe here.
Main image by Apple, featured image by Bulgari.
Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?
Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.
