iW Magazine Winter 2017/18 | Page 119

Smart Watches

By Michael Thompson

FOUR LUXURY SMARTWATCHES

UPPING THE ANTE ON WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY, these new high-end connected timepieces are vying for space on your wrist with a combination of upgraded style, upgrades in construction and a wide range of functionality. Here’ s a look at recently updated smartwatches from TAG Heuer and Breitling, with a peek at entirely new collections from Louis Vuitton and Montblanc.

BREITLING B55 MOVES TO THE HIGHWAY

BREITLING’ S B55 CONNECTED CALIBER MADE ITS DEBUT INSIDE
graph functions. First, there’ s a chrono rally function that will record
THE EXOSPACE B55 CONNECTED ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO,
up to thirty racing stages, complete with the departure date of the
ushering this aviation-focused Swiss watchmaker into the smart
rally, the start time and duration of each stage, as well as intermediate
watch era. The company joins fellow Swiss makers like TAG Heuer,
times for each stage, while adding in any penalties incurred.
Frederique Constant, Mondaine, Bulgari and others that also offer
The second new ability is the chrono race function designed for
app-loaded electronic wristwear. But unlike nearly every one of its
track races. It enables the user to record the split times for each lap
veteran Swiss watch competitors entering the smart watch arena,
and calculate the average speed per lap. Finally Breitling has added
Breitling opted to create its electronic device in-house with a careful
a‘ regularity rally’ function that is useful in competitions in which the
eye on enhancing its usefulness to pilots rather than simply expanding
objective is to cover a given distance in a given time.
its reach to a new set of consumers.
Useful even with no connectivity, the Bentley Supersports B55( a
Breitling this year moves its B55 caliber from the skies to the
limited edition of 500 pieces) has been designed as a chronograph
highway. Alongside long-time partner Bentley, the British maker of
with the smartphone connection used only to enhance its functionality
high-end automobiles, Breitling will debut the Bentley Supersports
and to store or transmit data.
B55, designed in part to celebrate the debut of the speedy four-seat
The Bentley Supersports B55 is a COSC-certified quartz chronometer
Bentley Continental Supersports car. The new watch is enriched with
as it uses Breitling’ s already highly accurate thermo-compen-
functions tailor-made for the automobile universe, veering from the
sated Superquartz movement, complete with analog and digital displays
more aviation-focused functions of the Exospace B55 model.
. The watch’ s 46mm titanium case features a sapphire crystal,
Thus, alongside the flyback chronograph, lap timer and electronic
rich carbon fiber dial, lined black rubber strap and is water resistant
tachymeter, this B55 caliber features three types of racing chrono-
to 100 meters. Price: $ 7,860.
118 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | WINTER 2018 iWMAGAZINE. COM