Introducing: The TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5

What We Know

TAG Heuer has just announced the next iteration of its Connected smartwatch series, one of the few Swiss entries that continue to offer a luxury-segment alternative to the ever-ubiquitous Apple Watch. It’s been three years since the E4 generation of the TAG Heuer Connected was announced, and though it might not be so in the mechanical watch world, in any consumer technology, three years is an eternity.

So better now than never, is the new Calibre E5 generation of the Connected, most notably now coming in a much more reasonably proportioned 40mm case size. While the previous iterations were all in 45mm, having both options is now a welcome sight.

From a physical perspective, the Connected retains its familiar silhouette, though small details like additional faceting on the lugs and reworked pushers allow anyone upgrading to feel the difference. The 45mm cases are available in either stainless steel or black DLC-coated and sandblasted titanium, both accompanied by matte black ceramic bezels featuring five-minute markings engraved. While I had originally assumed the 40mm variants would simply be shrunken-down versions of the larger case, the smaller case size features a slightly different design, almost Glassbox-like in execution.

The 40mm case is offered in either polished stainless steel or a rose gold PVD option, but instead of a bezel, the sapphire crystal covers the entire front of the 40mm Connected. The bezel effect is achieved through printing silver hour markings as a ring on the underside of that fluid sapphire crystal, keeping the visual of having a bezel while making the overall appearance a bit softer. Like we’ve seen in generations past, a separate Golf Edition features a unique bezel with 18 markings for each hole of the course.

TAG Heuer has also redesigned the interchangeable strap system, this time giving all strap options a more integrated look that sits flush with the case ends, rather than the gaps seen in previous straps. A bracelet is available, but rubber, leather, and nylon fill out the extensive strap collection for personalization. Of course, like any good smartwatch, a variety of faces are included that integrate smartwatch functionality while revealing design DNA taken from TAG’s Carrera, Aquaracer, and Formula 1 lines.

On the software front, new wellness, heart rate tracking, and sleep functionality bring the Calibrer E5 and its updated OS much more in line with current offerings from the likes of Apple and Garmin. The new generation supports voice calls through the integrated speaker and microphone, while much of the interface has been streamlined for better legibility. This is all a part of the brand new proprietary TAG Heuer operating system, which replaces Google’s Wear OS for a new, more in-house feel. I’d venture to say that the new Made for iPhone certification for the E5 is very much a part of this new update, with much better compatibility for iPhones. Battery life on the 45mm is rated at three days, while the 40mm supports up to two days.

The new TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 starts at CHF 1,500 for the 40mm on a rubber strap, and CHF 1,600 for the 45mm on a rubber strap.

What We Think

Smartwatches like the TAG Heuer Connected series are always quite interesting to me, as they strike a unique balance between the practical utility of modern smartwatches and perhaps the more timeless aesthetic of Swiss watch design. And after three years with no refresh, this new E5 update is long overdue.

There does seem to be more than meets the eye compared to a typical incremental update for a smartwatch. The 40mm size is surely the bigger (or smaller, rather) change here, which opens up TAG’s offerings to a significantly broader customer base. I actually prefer its aesthetics over the larger variant, with that smooth sapphire crystal really reminding me of what a Glassbox Carrera take on a smartwatch would look like. It’s a little less aggressively sporty in execution, and for that, I think a lot of people are going to like it.

And though we never really go big into software around these parts, the migration from Google’s Wear OS to a custom operating system meant for better customization as well as better compatibility with iPhone users is quite a big move, and I think it represents an impressive commitment to the platform. I suppose, in a sense, this is the smartwatch equivalent of a more in-house movement. The Connected, it looks like, is here to stay.

The Basics

Brand: TAG Heuer
Model: Connected Calibre E5
Diameter: 40mm or 45mm
Thickness:
Display: AMOLED tactile display 1.20″, 390×390 (326 dpi)
Case Material: Stainless steel, DLC-coated titanium, or rose gold PVD-coated steel
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Strap/Bracelet: Interchangeable between bracelet and strap options

The Movement

Caliber: E5
Functions: TAG Heuer OS, with custom-built TAG Heuer apps for sports, wellness, call management, notifications, and more
Power Reserve: 3 days for 45mm, 2 days for 40mm (rated in “low power mode”)
Charging: 100% in 90 min, 1 day of battery life in only 40 minutes (fast charging)
Sensors: heart rate monitoring, calories, steps counter, compass, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, blood oxygen saturation, breathing rate, sleep tracking, heart rate variability, GNSS dual band

Pricing & Availability

Price: Starting at CHF 1,500
Availability: Now
Limited Edition: No

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