Apple is a prominent player in the smartwatch market, with its Apple Watch lineup surpassing all competitors in terms of sales. However, there are also numerous luxury brands that offer high-end smartwatches that can rival Apple in terms of design, materials, technology, and price. These luxury smartwatches cater to fashion-conscious consumers who seek a blend of style and smart functionality in the wearable devices on their wrists. In this article, we will explore five top competitors to Apple Watch in the luxury smartwatch market.
Woman wearing a smartwatch – illustrative photo. Image by wayhomestudio on Freepik, free license
1. Tag Heuer Connected Watch
Being an esteemed Swiss watchmaker established in 1860, Tag Heuer has earned a prestigious standing for its skilled artistry and fashionable timepieces, widely embraced in the realms of sports and fashion. The Tag Heuer Connected Watch takes this legacy further by offering a luxurious smartwatch alternative at a comparable price range to the high-end models of the Apple Watch. Plus, the device works well with interchangeable straps for Tag Heuer that offer weather-proof bands for any occasion.
With its sleek and eye-catching design, the Connected Watch showcases a lightweight grade 2 titanium case and an advanced digital touchscreen display. It boasts GPS, heart rate monitoring, and activity/fitness tracking features running on Android software. While it appeals to those seeking brand prestige, it falls short of the Apple Watch in terms of battery life, lasting only around 1 day, and offers a more limited selection of third-party apps. Priced at $1800, it directly competes with premium versions of the Apple Watch, catering to luxury tech enthusiasts.
2. Louis Vuitton Tambour Horizon
Louis Vuitton, a well-known fashion brand, expanded its luxury offerings to include smartwatches through the introduction of the Tambour Horizon line in 2017. This marked Louis Vuitton’s initial venture into the realm of connected timepieces. The Tambour Horizon allows individuals to showcase their unique style by offering customizable watch faces and band options, all while providing smart connectivity.
The Tambour Horizon is a distinctive e-watch that features a vibrant circular touchscreen and the iconic LV logo. The gear offers various functionalities, including notifications and activity tracking. Powered by Android Wear OS, it stands out as a fashion-forward accessory, prioritizing style over its smartwatch capabilities. LV’s unconventional octagonal case and curved sapphire glass give it a unique aesthetic, setting it apart from the Apple Watch. Priced between $2,000-$2,400, it’s a luxurious tech piece that focuses more on fashion than comprehensive wellness tracking, unlike the Apple Watch.
3. Montblanc Summit 2
Montblanc, a renowned brand famous for its luxury writing instruments, introduced its inaugural smartwatch in 2017 and subsequently released a level-up version called the Summit 2. The Summit 2 exemplifies the brand’s commitment to traditional Swiss watchmaking methods, boasting a high-quality stainless steel case and a specially crafted aluminum alloy body. With its elegant circular touchscreen and premium watch band, the design pays homage to Montblanc’s rich heritage of exceptional artisanship.
The Summit 2 operates on Wear OS by Google and offers fitness tracking features like heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and guided workouts. While it may not match the advanced capabilities of the Apple Watch, the device combines both traditional analog and smartwatch functionalities. Priced at around $1,000, it falls just below the premium tier pricing of Apple Watches. The Summit 2 is an attractive luxury option for consumers who prefer a high-end analog-styled smartwatch over a tech-heavy design.
4. Fossil Gen 5 LTE Touchscreen Smartwatch
Fossil strives to blend style and technology in its product range, which includes hybrid smartwatches. The Fossil Gen 5 LTE model competes with Apple by using Wear OS. Through Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, the LTE feature enables phone calling and app usage without the need for tethering.
Featuring a timeless stainless steel watch case and interchangeable bands, the Gen 5 offers the freedom to personalize your style. Its circular digital display delivers intelligent notifications, tracks your activity and wellness, including heart rate and GPS, provides music storage, and much more. While the product may not match up to the Apple Watch in terms of technology, its improved battery life of up to 2 days gives it a competitive edge. With its combination of aesthetics, customization, and functionality, the Gen 5 stands as a formidable competitor to the Apple Watch, priced at approximately $350.
5. Samsung Galaxy Watch
While Samsung can be considered more cost-effective compared to luxury brands, it still manufactures high-quality tech devices. The Samsung Galaxy Watch serves as an excellent alternative for Android users, seamlessly connecting with Samsung phones and also compatible with Android and iPhone. With its state-of-the-art health sensors, the Galaxy Watch competes strongly against Apple’s offerings.
The Galaxy Watch offers a timeless design with various case and band options, complemented by a rotating bezel that pays homage to analog watches, allowing for personalized customization. In addition to standard fitness tracking features, this popular smartwatch also measures oxygen saturation, heart rate variability, blood pressure, and ECG. With its price range of $300 to $400, the gear provides impressive and accessible technology, positioning itself as a versatile competitor to the Apple Watch.
Conclusion
Luxury smartwatches have unique features such as renowned brand names, premium materials, innovative designs, and high price tags. While Apple remains at the forefront of smartwatch sales, providing a comprehensive user experience, there are alternatives available for fashion-conscious consumers. With the increasing demand for modern wearable technology, the luxury smartwatch market is expected to expand, offering technologically advanced status symbols comparable to fine Swiss watches. For those seeking alternatives to Apple for aesthetics, brand reputation, or Android OS compatibility, Tag Heuer, Louis Vuitton, Montblanc, Fossil, and Samsung offer attractive high-end options in the ever-evolving smartwatch industry.