The Swiss are coming - new smartwatch the result of exciting new MMT venture
We know that Tag Heuer has a smartwatch in the works but it’s legendary watch maker Mondaine who are first to the Swiss smartwatch post – the Mondaine Helvetica No 1 Smart has just been announced and will go on show for the first time at Baselworld next month.
Wareable verdict: Mondaine Helvetica No 1 Smart review
Actually, if we’re being pedantic, the first Swiss smartwatch was actually the Withings Activité that, although designed by a French company, was manufactured in Switzerland.
And it’s the Activité that the Mondaine Helvetica No 1 Smart will go up against, as this isn’t a smartwatch that’s interested in smartphone notifications or apps – it’s essentially a glorified activity tracker.
Essential reading: Top smartwatches for 2015
At the bottom of the Smart’s watch face is a dial, which not only shows the date, but also the progress towards the activity goal of the user.
Inside the Swiss smartwatch is MotionX and Sleeptracker sensors – the same tech powering Jawbone and Nike’s wearables – and you’ll be able to track steps, distance and sleep, with smart alarms and activity alerts on offer too.
An accompanying smartphone app will provide “adaptive coaching” based on a user’s activity and the watch itself is created from a classic brushed matt steel case, a white dial, sapphire crystal and a soft leather strap.
Horological Smartwatch Open Platform
“This is a beautiful Swiss watch that is also connected and smart,” said Andre Bernheim, CEO of Mondaine. “
“Don’t forget Mondaine, founded by our father in 1951, introduced one of the world’s first LCD and LED watches and now we are doing something which is the next step in today’s watch industry. This is the first-ever Swiss-made horological smartwatch. It is a world first and Mondaine is proud to be at the forefront of this new technology, thanks to a collaboration with MMT.”
That MMT collaboration Bernheim mentioned is a new platform born out of a partnership between between Silicon Valley based Fullpower Technologies and Union Horlogère Holding, who owns Swiss watch brands Frederique Constant and Alpina.
The Horological Smartwatch Open Platform will see a raft of new Swiss made smartwatches arriving in the near future; not only Frederique Constant and Alpina branded ones but third-party efforts too – such as this Mondaine device.
There’s no pricing details as of yet although we’re told the Mondaine Helvetica No 1 Smart will launch in autumn 2015.
Wareable will be reporting live from Baselworld 2015. Make sure you bookmark our wearable tech news hub to keep up to speed.
