You wouldn’t know to look at it but the new TAG Heuer Connected is not a mechanical watch, and is, in fact, quite the opposite. Developed and produced in conjunction with microprocessor giant and California USA-based Intel Corporation (“Intel Inside” being their often mimicked calling card), the new TAG Heuer Connected looks, for all intents and purposes, like a proper TAG Heuer mechanical timepiece.

In fact, at a rather robust 46 mm in diameter, the design of the TAG Heuer Connected is primarily that of a true chronograph, with a case, back and lugs made from grade 2 titanium, a contemporary material ensuring the watch is lighter and more resistant to impacts than traditional materials such as steel or gold. The rest of the watch, including the black, sandblasted, carbide-coated titanium bezel with anti-fingerprint coating and the fine brushed titanium lugs, is pure Swiss watchmaking. Completed by a textured black rubber strap (six other colors: red, blue, white, orange, green and yellow are available but sold separately) with a deploying buckle also made of grade 2 titanium, the TAG Heuer Connected has all the elegance, characteristics and level of finish expected from a fine mechanical wristwatch. Until you finally notice the digital dial, that is.

Just in time to make a big splash in the smartwatch revolution, the Connected is TAG Heuer’s long-awaited response to the smartwatch proposal. And their response is unique in the sense that their brand DNA was not compromised in any way. In fact, they capitalized on it.

For the first time, TAG Heuer has developed three digital watch dials (or faces) that mimic the iconic aspects, of the brand’s Carrera collection, including the hands, index, counters, date window, and minute track. In fact, the user has three dials to choose from: a chronograph, a three-hander, and a GMT, all of which displays the date, and are available in a choice of three dial colors (black, deep blue or pearl white). Indeed, so detailed is the replication, (the watchmakers deemed it fit to include digital shadows under the hands, as well as light effects “reflecting” off the “sunburst dial”) the casual observer would be hard pressed to tell the digital from an actual. Best of all, further customization is also possible, and is in fact, encouraged. Just take a gander at some of the customized dials from TAG Heuer’s ambassadors as seen from the photos (shades of Swatch, anyone?).

Being a smartwatch, TAG Heuer Connected provides a custom suite of micro-applications, including basic alarm and stopwatch features. But being a TAG Heuer SMARTWATCH, TAG Heuer Connected is further equipped with directional wind and weather monitoring, RaceChrono Pro capability, Google Fit, Google Translate, Google Maps and Google Search, each of which was designed by TAG Heuer engineers and designers with the synthesis of style and precision in mind thanks to innovative interactive counters. In fact, the sky is almost the limit with Android Wear connecting the user to thousands of apps that can be tailored to suit anyone’s taste. Indeed, bold, custom themes become the norm that allow for numerous display options.

This has all been made possible by Intel’s 1.6GHz dual core Atom processor Z34XX, which runs on the Android Wear platform with thousands of apps at the Google Play store, while also being (wait for it) iOS compatible. Indeed, Intel-engineered intelligence “inside” the TAG Heuer Connected optimizes performance and enables a multitude of connectivity options including audio streaming, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi as well as allows users to harness the full range of features offered by the Android Wear operating system. Best of all, the watch continuously calculates, displays, and exchanges data with your phone. And if for some reason your phone is offline, TAG Heuer Connected will remain communicating with the cloud as long as a Wi-Fi connection is available.

With 1GB of RAM (twice that of other smartwatches), 4GB of internal storage, and all day battery life (thanks to its latest-generation 410mAh lithium battery), the TAG Heuer Connected also equipped with a small microphone for communication via Google voice control, as well as a best-in-class sapphire crystal touchscreen with 240ppi pixel density – the indispensable complement to the crown at 3 o’clock which also houses the controls. And did we mention the entire piece has been made water resistant for everyday use and is IP67 water resistance rated?

But wait, more than a “mere” smart watch, the TAG Heuer Connected benefits from over 150 years of Swiss watchmaking expertise. Indeed, the savoir-faire and watchmaking heritage as cultivated by TAG Heuer is known worldwide, as only a watch manufacture based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the cradle of Swiss watchmaking and a UNESCO World Heritage site, can foster. Which is what separates the TAG Heuer Connected from other “mere” smartwatches.

And in a case of true Parallel Passions, TAG Heuer Connected owners have the option of purchasing an additional TAG Heuer mechanical watch made only for them. After the two-year warranty period is over and for an additional CHF1,500.00, a special edition TAG Heuer Carrera that resembles the design and materials of the TAG Heuer Connected and powered by the self-winding Calibre 5 three-hand movement will be made available EXCLUSIVELY to TAG Heuer Connected owners.

So identical looking watches, one digital and the other mechanical, truly the best of both worlds, TAG Heuer style.

Last August 5, TAG Heuer made its case for connectivity with the official Philippine launch of the TAG Heuer Connected. Mr. Romain Cans, TAG Heuer’s Area Sales Director ushered in the new era of Swiss digital watchmaking and used the plush setting of Greenbelt 5’s Fashion Walk to make his case and wow the country’s media with the TAG Heuer Connected. Joining the celebration were some of the Philippine Basketball Association’s most prolific players and personalities, which segued quite nicely with the brand’s official title as main sponsor and timekeeper of the PBA.

So, the most technologically advanced timepiece TAG Heuer has to offer, being pushed by some of the most colorful players of the PBA, a winning combination if there ever was one.