This is one of five smartwatches for women, newly launched by Frederique Constant.
New York--Swiss watchmaker Frederique Constant intends to elevate smartwatches to the level of “haute horlogerie.”
Their game plan? Enlist one celebrity, help one good cause, revamp the men’s smartwatch collection and branch into an entirely new category: ladies’ wearables.
Prior to Wednesday evening’s ladies horological smartwatch launch, Paltrow participated in a fitness class with students involved with the DonorsChoose.org foundation.
Frederique Constant is the first of the Swiss horological brands to enter the wearables arena. Last year, they debuted their men’s Horological Smartwatch, which took three years to create.
Now, the company has introduced its ladies smartwatch, which comes in five styles: three in sterling silver and two in sterling silver with some links plated in rose gold. The case is 34 mm and dials feature accents such as mother-of-pearl, diamonds and guilloche engraving.
The updated version of the men’s smartwatch, which also is available in five different models, features Arabic numbers instead of Roman numerals as well as different colored dials and straps.
All of the smartwatches track activity and sleep and alert the wearer to calls and text messages. The digital watches automatically change time zone during travel and sends reminders to keep moving if the wearer has been idle for a certain amount of time.
The ladies’ smartwatches boast a battery life of over two years, while the men’s version lasts for over four years.
The Horological Smartwatches retail for between 750 euros (approximately $833) and 1,295 euros (about $1,438) for a ladies style. The men’s version starts at 795 euros (about $883) and tops off at 1,250 euros (approximately $1,388).
Brand ambassador Gwyneth Paltrow was on hand Wednesday night at New York City’s Cedar Lake venue in the Chelsea neighborhood to celebrate the new Horological Smartwatches, along with Frederique Constant executives and 150 brand loyalists and members of the press.
The second version of the men’s smartwatch features new colored dials and leather straps.
This ladies smartwatch is made of stainless steel and features white diamonds. It retails for 950 euros, or about $1,055.
This ladies steel watch features rose-gold plating, sterling silver and white diamonds. It’s the most expensive of the ladies versions, retailing for 1,295 euros, or about $1,438.
As Frederique Constant’s global charity brand ambassador, Paltrow chose to partner the watchmaker with the DonorsChoose.org foundation.
DonorsChoose.org is a website that allows teachers to request materials and resources their classrooms need. Donors are able to give to the project of their choice, which could entail the donation of books, supplies or even field trips. Paltrow chose to focus on fitness and health-related opportunities.
Earlier in the day, Paltrow and her trainer best friend, Tracy Anderson, hosted a private fitness class for students involved with the DonorsChoose.org foundation.
“Frederique Constant is a company that inspires me because it
creates high quality watches but also gives back to the community,” Paltrow said. “I really responded to the values of the brand.”
At the fitness class, Paltrow and the students participated in the “1,000 Steps Challenge,” in which they completed 1,000 steps in under ten minutes. Paltrow sported her ladies Horological Smartwatch, which displayed her real-time fitness stats on a video screen during the challenge.
Frederique Constant donated $50,000 to DonorsChoose.org. From left to right: actress and brand ambassador Gwyneth Paltrow, DonorsChoose.org CEO Charles Best, and Frederique Constant COO Aletta Stas-Bax and CEO Peter Stas.
Upon successful completion of the “1,000 Steps Challenge,” Frederique Constant donated $50,000 to DonorsChoose.org.
Frederique Constant’s CEO, Peter Stas, commented, “We are very happy to support DonorsChoose.org. Children are our future, and we want to give them a chance to develop themselves to their maximum potential. Investment in education is essential for humanity’s future, and fitness is key to a healthy overall lifestyle.”
Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.
