The Rise of Connected Luxury in Watches and Accessories
The luxury market is rapidly evolving, particularly as luxury designers, tech engineers and watchmakers explore how technology can enhance user experience without compromising on fashion and function. These eight devices have gone beyond lifestyle pieces with visual appeal to serve as personal assistants, health monitors and performance companions, combining the best of engineering with smart technology. From Hermès’ Ateliers Horizons Headphones to Montblanc’s Summit 3 smart watch, the latest offerings demonstrate a shift in value perception where consumers are investing in wearables that deliver insight, utility and connection, all while retaining the hallmarks of luxury design. This convergence of technology and style underscores how fashion and watchmaking houses are turning wearables into tools that elevate lifestyle performance beyond aesthetics alone.
Hermès Ateliers Horizons Headphones
Hermès has expanded its savoir-faire into audio with the launch of its new headphones, crafted in Hunter cowhide with lambskin ear cushions. Designed in France, the model balances high-fidelity sound at 110 dB with comfort, protecting eardrums by directing audio to the outer ear to reduce fatigue. The construction combines microblasted aluminium for lightness with equestrian-inspired details such as stirrup references and Kelly bag finishes. Functionality includes Bluetooth and wired connectivity, active noise cancelling, a 30-hour battery life and intuitive touch controls on the leather frame. Available in a range of colours including black, chocolate, rouge H and Prussian blue, the release positions Hermès within the premium audio category while maintaining the house’s signature design codes.
Vertu Aura Ring
Vertu’s Aura Ring positions wearable tech within the realm of luxury jewellery, combining precision health monitoring with high-end design. Crafted from a proprietary crystal composite and shaped through twenty artisanal steps, the ring integrates sensors that track blood glucose, heart rate, blood oxygen and sleep patterns with predictive accuracy exceeding 85 percent. Its ergonomic curves ensure a seamless fit, while the minimalistic design conceals advanced technology, allowing the ring to function as both a personal health assistant and a statement accessory. Compatible with Android and iOS, the Aura Ring syncs data via the Vertu app, providing real-time insights and tailored guidance without disrupting daily life.
Oakley Meta HSTN Performance AI glasses
Oakley Meta glasses position smart eyewear within the world of sport, merging the brand’s performance heritage with Meta’s AI technology. Equipped with a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera capable of 3K video recording, the frames enable athletes and users alike to capture and share content hands-free. Integrated open-ear speakers deliver audio for music, calls and podcasts without isolating the wearer from their environment, making them suitable for training or outdoor use. The glasses respond to voice commands for messaging, live streaming and real-time assistance through the Meta AI app, which also manages content and device settings. Designed with Oakley’s Prizm lens technology, the eyewear offers impact resistance and UV protection, extending functionality beyond connectivity. With up to eight hours of typical use and a charging case that supports 48 hours, the Oakley Meta line underscores how smart glasses are shifting from lifestyle accessories to tools built for performance and utility.
The Coperni x Bandai Tamagotchi Swipe Case
Coperni continues its experimentation with the Swipe Bag through a collaboration with Bandai that embeds the beloved Tamagotchi into the accessory’s design. Debuted at the Fall/Winter 2025 Paris Fashion Week show, the Tamagotchi Swipe Case is offered in navy blue, black and silver, maintaining the bag’s distinctive silhouette while integrating interactive technology. The release follows earlier experimental iterations such as the 3D-printed CD-Player Swipe Bag and the Air Swipe Bag, positioning the collaboration as part of Coperni’s broader strategy of blending fashion with technology. While its commercial rollout remains unconfirmed, the Tamagotchi Swipe Case underscores how the brand leverages nostalgia and interactivity to strengthen its reputation for creating viral, conversation-driving accessories.
Montblanc Summit 3
Montblanc’s Summit 3 demonstrates how traditional watchmaking can be adapted for a digital age without losing its heritage appeal. Built in hand-finished titanium, the smartwatch balances durability with lightness, while interchangeable straps and detailed watch faces allow for personalisation that reflects the Maison’s 1858 design codes. Beyond aesthetics, the Summit 3 integrates health monitoring sensors, fitness tracking and extended battery performance, positioning it as a lifestyle tool as much as a timepiece. Running on Wear OS by Google, it supports a wide range of apps and connectivity functions, enabling users to manage daily tasks, monitor wellness and stay linked across devices. By embedding advanced technology into a form that retains the look and feel of Swiss craftsmanship, Montblanc extends its presence in the luxury wearable market with a product that would appeal to the brand’s existing consumer base who seek items with have both sophistication and functionality.
Tambour Horizon Light Up Connected Watch
Louis Vuitton strengthens its position in the connected luxury watch segment with the Tambour Horizon Light Up. Retaining the Maison’s signature convex case profile and codes of the original Tambour, the model introduces a curved sapphire glass display bordered by 24 LED lights that animate the Monogram ring with dynamic colour sequences. Designed for personalisation at scale, the watch offers a wide selection of faces — from Monogram-inspired dials to collaborations with artists like Yayoi Kusama — alongside functions such as travel planning, heart rate monitoring and access to Louis Vuitton City Guides. Supported by a proprietary operating system, the device demonstrates how the Maison integrates lifestyle services into luxury watchmaking while maintaining the Maison’s signature sleek identity.
Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E4
TAG Heuer strengthens its position in the connected luxury watch space with the Connected Calibre E4 45MM x Malbon Golf Edition. The collaboration with golf lifestyle brand Malbon reflects a shared ethos of innovation and a fresh approach to the game, aimed at younger consumers embracing golf as part of their lifestyle. Built with a black DLC titanium case, ceramic bezel and bi-material strap, the watch integrates TAG Heuer’s Golf app to track shots, provide club recommendations and deliver performance insights without interrupting play. Powered by the Snapdragon 4100+ chipset and Wear OS 3, it offers a full day of battery life, wellness monitoring and connectivity through GPS, NFC and Bluetooth. Two exclusive watch faces, Malbon-branded packaging and a co-developed capsule collection of golf apparel and accessories reinforce the lifestyle positioning. With distribution through Malbon stores in the US and Korea, the release positions TAG Heuer to grow its footprint in the golf market while highlighting the adaptability of its Connected line.
Garmin fēnix 8 MicroLED
Garmin’s fēnix 8 MicroLED marks a breakthrough in smartwatch technology by introducing the first-ever MicroLED display in a wearable. With over 400,000 individual LEDs delivering up to 4,500 nits, the display offers unparalleled brightness, a 15 percent wider color gamut and exceptional contrast for visibility even in direct sunlight. Built for adventurers and athletes, the watch integrates Garmin’s full suite of performance, navigation, health and wellness features, including preloaded TopoActive Maps, dynamic round-trip routing, ECG monitoring, sleep tracking and Garmin Pay. Its rugged construction and enhanced display durability ensure the device withstands demanding environments, while advanced metrics such as endurance and hill scores support professional-level training. The fēnix 8 MicroLED demonstrates how Garmin combines precision engineering with practical functionality, extending the value of wearable technology beyond style and into performance-driven lifestyle tools.
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