TAG Heuer has introduced the Connected E5 – 45mm range, showcasing new technology that allows the wearer to perform at their physical best!
For years, TAG Heuer has been linked with performance in sport. Formula 1, most notably, but motorsport in general and over the years, has delved into other timing endeavours through other sports, like tennis, golf, football (soccer), yachting, and athletics, to name a few. In contrast, accurate timekeeping has been the backbone of this, where, with new technology, come new needs for sportspeople, both elite and those who dabble a little. It isn’t just time that now measures performance. Human biology is complex, and to be at the top of your game, you need to understand all the things that are happening in your body – heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep patterns, distance covered, and calorie consumption are all vital components today’s athletes need to track to be the best. TAG Heuer recognised this, and as their motto suggests, “Designed To Win” encompasses all aspects that assist people in winning.
With this, comes the new TAG Heuer Connect E5 45mm luxury smartwatch. Designed for people who want to perform at their best, but with the looks of a more traditional mechanical watch, it serves as the best of both worlds for those who live life with data in mind.
As seen above, the new Connected E5 45mm range has two brushed steel variants with a black ceramic bezel, one on a steel bracelet and the other on black rubber strap. Complementing this is the black DLC-coated titanium model with a matt black ceramic bezel for those who want more of an all black look. Outside the standard 45mm, is the new Gold Edition for those avid golfers who want to keep on top of their game, fairway to green.
The interface is the TAG Heuer OS, which has been developed entirely in-house by TAG Heuer. TAG Heuer has done a lot of research in the OS, and with this new version, has improved on the previous OS in regard to the user experience and integration with apps, including now being Apple Certified with its new Bluetooth connectivity – MFI, or, Made For iPhone.
Functionally, the new Connected E5 range supports a wide range of uses and functions that assist athletes in achieving their goals. With voice call support, voice activation, you’re set when on the go, and users have the ability to customise thier apps as needed. The Connected E5 also comes with the built-in Wellness Activity app, offering a clear and engaging way to monitor daily movement, capturing calories burned, steps taken, and active time with precision. With everything from goal setting to weekly progress updates, wearers will gain access to more usable data to monitor, track and improve on any goals set. The Connected E5 has a massive range of sensors, which include: heart rate monitoring, calories, steps counter, compass, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, blood oxygen saturation, breathing rate, sleep tracking, heart rate variability, and GNSS dual band.
Across the range, TAG Heuer has refined the case, with better ergonomics in mind – sharper, more faceted lugs, redesigned pushers for a cleaner look and now, with a quick-change strap system that gives the watch a smoother transition between the case and strap, plus the added benefit of making it easier to swap out at will.
Speaking of straps, TAG Heuer now has the largest range of straps it has ever created for the new Connected E5 range. Wearers can choose from rubber, leather, steel and nylon, in a range of colours to suit. On the straps that are paired with the watches, a deployant buckle is used, however, should you feel the need to add a few more sports straps to the collection, then these all have pin buckles.
For the golfers, the Connect E5 Golf Edition may just help you take a few strokes off your handicap. With a black DLC sandblasted Titanium case, and a specialised bezel, which is engraved with hole numbers, 1 to 18. It allows you to track your score hole by hole at over 40,000 courses worldwide – all downloadable via the app. The course map display has been redesigned to show full hole layouts with auto-zoom that adjusts dynamically as the player advances, paired with enhanced autoscoring functionality, so you can do away with those pesky pencils and score cards!
The strap on the Golf Edition has been done with the gold theme in mind, too. Done in a white and black rubber, with a green stitch down the edges, it features dimple patterns that mimic those of a golf ball. It looks fresh and just adds another level of depth to the watch.
Across the range, the battery life has seen an improvement as well. Now in the 45mm, the battery life has been increased to 3 days on low power mode, 2 days when in full performance mode, with a 30-minute quick charge to get a full day of life from the battery. The good news is that you can achieve a full charge in just 90 minutes, so if you are running on empty, it won’t take long to get it running again.
Initial Thoughts
I’ll be the first to say that smartwatches are not my wheelhouse. I don’t think for many watch journalists it would be, unless of course you owned and used one often for exercise. My gym watch is a G-Shock, and really, I just use it to keep track of time, and my wrist feels naked with nothing on it these days. However, my fitness and health is important to me, and I’m always looking at ways of improving my efforts, be it eating, sleeping, fat loss, strength and conditioning, what have you. I know smartwatches exist, especially in the fitness space, but I’ve never really considered using one, perhaps because I’ve not thought too hard about it. Maybe this has been an oversight on my part.
Writing this article, I can see exactly how I would use a watch like the TAG Heuer Connected E5. It would be perfect in the gym to track my heart rate, calories burned through different workouts, and help me with things like sleep at night. With the different TAG Heuer sports and wellness apps, it would make things a little easier to track progress and set goals. In addition, you get a watch that looks like a watch, not a smart watch like Apple, or a giant sports watch like a Garmin. So it is like having the best of both worlds here. Would I have this and only this in my collection? No, but I can see how it would fit in with my mechanical watches, as a fitness tool and for those days I’m doing something active, like heading out on a hike or run. The TAG Heuer Connected E5 is for those who take their fitness and sport seriously, want to achieve their goals and ensure they are tracking them each step of the way.
References:
- SBT8A10.BT6292 – Steel on Rubber
- SBT8A10.BA0003 – Steel on Steel
- SBT8A80.BT6293 – Black DLC Titanium
- SBT8A81.EB0335 – Gold Edition
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 44mm x 14.8mm thick
- Case Material: Fine brushed polished steel / black DLC Titanium
- Display: AMOLED tactile display 1.39”, 454×454 (326 dpi)
- Operating System: TAG Heuer OS, Android-based, compatible with iOS
- Functions: Display customisation, heart rate monitoring, calorie/step counters, compass, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, blood oxygen saturation, breathing rate, heart rate variability, & dual band GPS (Sleep tracking features coming soon)
- Battery Life: 2 days with full performance / 3 days in “Low Power Mode
- Charging Time: 100% in 90min at temperatures between 15° and 45°C. 1 day’s power with 30-minute quick charge
- Water Resistance: 50m (5bar)
- Straps: Black perforated interchangeable rubber strap (Steel on rubber + Black Ti) / Steel bracelet / White and black interchangeable rubber strap with golf patterns and green stitches.