Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
Exhibition on Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Studios to Open at The MetThe exhibition will feature more than 100 drawings of stained-glass lampshades, windows, and more, many created by women and émigrés.
CollectionsMar 18, 2015
TAG Heuer to partner with Intel on smartwatch
Smartwatches are a focus at Baselworld 2015, and the biggest announcement so far belongs to TAG Heuer, which is teaming with Intel and Google on a connected device.
Members of the press crowd into the TAG Heuer booth at Baselworld Thursday, where brand CEO Jean-Claude Biver, shown here speaking, made what he called his “biggest announcement ever.” This is the watch industry veteran’s 40th Basel fair.
Basel, Switzerland—Just hours after the official opening of Baselworld 2015, TAG Heuer announced that it was partnering with Intel Corp. and Google Inc. on a Swiss-made smartwatch that will be out by the end of the year.
Though TAG Heuer CEO Jean-Claude Biver revealed no details about the device--including price, functionality, design or compatibility with iOS devices--at a press conference held at 2 p.m. local time at the brand’s booth, Reuters reported prior to the official announcement that it will be a digital version of the brand’s classic black Carrera.
Joined on stage by employees of both Intel and Google, Biver did say when asked how his company’s device would differ from Apple Watch that, “Apple Watch looks like Apple. TAG Heuer will look like TAG Heuer. TAG Heuer will have the DNA of TAG Heuer.”
He also confirmed that enough of the watch will be assembled in Switzerland to receive the “Swiss made” label.
TAG Heuer’s early-in-the-show announcement comes amid much smartwatch buzz at Baselworld this year, which kicked off little more than a week after Apple unveiled the Apple Watch in Cupertino, Calif.
There is a new smartwatch from Fossil, which also partnered with Intel; Vector is slated to launch one at an event scheduled for Thursday evening in Basel; and Breitling has the new B55 Connected, which the brand confirmed to National Jeweler is just a concept piece at this stage.
In addition, Swatch Group just unveiled a Swatch watch that connects with a smartphone and will roll out near-field communication chips for other brands--one of which is said to be Tissot--in the coming months, though it doesn’t seem the Swiss watch giant is interested in going head-to-head with Apple. Chief Executive Nick Hayek has said, “We don’t want to produce a mini mobile phone on your wrist. Others can do that.”
While brands scramble to answer the smartwatch question, Swiss industry leaders seem to think that smartwatches and traditional wristwatches can co-exist, the same claim many in the diamond industry make when asked about lab-grown diamonds.
There is room, they said, for both smart devices and those who appreciate the craftsmanship of a mechanical watch.
The industry’s latest sales data seems to support this claim.
Jon Cox, an analyst for Kepler Cheuvreux who follows the watch industry, said the bulk of the Swiss watch industry’s sales are in high-end, complicated models. While
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
devices like Apple Watch pose a threat to lower-priced brands, “It’s hard to believe an Apple Watch is going to take away share from a $17,000 watch. If you can afford a $17,000 watch, you can get a $500 smartwatch (too).”
Show organizers also noted at the Baselworld opening press conference held Wednesday that these new devices could raise the profile of watches, both smart and not, among members of the younger generation, many of whom now just pull out their cell phone when they want to know what time it is.
RELATED CONTENT: A watch from Apple could lift the bunch
It is a boost the modern watch industry badly needs.
Baselworld Executive Director Sylvie Ritter acknowledged at the opening press conference that there are a number of challenges facing the industry, including slowing growth in markets like Russia and China.
According to figures shared by François Thiébaud, president of the Swiss Exhibitors’ Committee, Swiss watch exports inched up only 2 percent year-over-year in 2014. While the industry recorded a 4 percent year-over-year increase in January, forecasts for 2015 have been revised downward due to the deteriorating global economic environment.
More on Collections
The Latest
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
There’s a New Jewelry Show Coming to FloridaThe inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.
IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth LocationThe family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
CrimeAug 14, 2026
Wife of Man Convicted in Jeweler’s Murder Sentenced for Conspiracy Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.
Weekly QuizAug 13, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsAug 14, 2026
Paul Morelli’s Latest ‘Wavey Vine’ Earrings Embrace ColorThe reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual ConferenceThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ CollectionThe brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is … Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
