Montblanc enters wearable tech market

Luxury brand Montblanc is entering the wearable technology market with the introduction of a smartwatch strap for its for analogue watches.

Rather than putting the wearable technology directly into one of its luxury timepieces, Montblanc has decided to enter the market with a functional e-strap, to provide smartwatch features without “compromising on its style”. A smart approach as research has found that one of the main issues facing the wearable tech market is that, while functional, the majority of smartwatches haven’t looked as fashionable as traditional timepieces.

The TimeWalker Urban Speed e-Strap comes as an optional addition to the Montblanc Timewalker Urban Speed collection as an interchangeable strap featuring an integrated technology device that offers an activity tracker, smart notifications, remote controls and find-me functions, which has been designed to sit under the wearer’s wrist.

The touch screen display is housed in a stainless steel case with a diamond-like carbon coating, while the leather strap has a carbon fibre texture that the brand has dubbed ‘extreme Montblanc leather’, and the screen can be removed from the strap, which is designed to accompany new additions to Montblanc's Timewalker range.

Montblanc introduces wearable tech watch straps

The e-strap connects to selected Android and iOS smartphones, including the Samsung Galaxy range and Apple iPhone, via Bluetooth Low Energy and enables the user to preview e-mails by topic and sender, read text messages, see incoming calls and status updates from social media feeds, as well as see calendar updates. The device can also work as a remote control for a music player or camera trigger to allow easier selfies or group pictures.

Additionally, the device also has a find-me function that helps the user to find their phone using their watch or by using the smartphone application to find their watch. Depending on usage, the device needs to be recharged every 5 days using a standard micro-USB cable.

The wearable technology market is hotting up, with the introduction of the much-hyped Apple watch set to launch later this year, however, Montblanc is one of the first established luxury watch brands to enter the marketplace. The TimeWalker Urban Speed e-Strap will be available from June 2015.

Image: Montblanc