The world's first luxury Android smartwatch is on the rise

Tag Heuer is ramping up production of the world's first luxury Android smartwatch.

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Late last week, Tag Heuer's chief, Jean-Claude Biver, said that the company will increase production of its first-generation Connected Watch from 1,200 to 2,000 timepieces a week, according to Bloomberg.

Perhaps Tag Heuer initially made these watches scarce to drive demand, or perhaps longtime customers are interested in owning the watch for the brand rather than the technology. Either way, it's interesting to see a smartwatch — particularly an expensive Android-powered smartwatch that can only be bought in stores — start to perform well.

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer

Google calls the Tag Heuer Connected Watch "the first luxury watch powered by Android Wear." Take a look at why it's so unique:

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The $1,500 Connected Watch is a team effort from Tag Heuer, Intel, and Google. Intel provided the chips, Google the operating system — it runs on Android Wear — and Tag Heuer the hardware and signature look.

tag heuer
Tag Heuer

It comes with a nice perk: In two years, you can trade it in — plus pay an extra $1,500 — to get a Tag Heuer Carrera watch, which isn't a smartwatch but is often valued above or around $3,000.

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Tag Heuer
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The Tag Heuer Connected Watch is made from grade 2 titanium for a premium feel.

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer

The button on the side showcases modern Tag Heuer iconography.

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer
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From the bottom, you can see it's powered by Intel — specifically, a 1.6 GHz dual-core processor. You also get a glimpse of the four-pin charging port from here.

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer

The Connected Watch's 1.5-inch touch display is made from sapphire — the same super-hard material as the Apple Watch screen. The Apple Watch, however, has a higher pixel density with 290 pixels per inch.

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Tag Heuer
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The Connected Watch's diameter is larger than the 42 mm Apple Watch. Tag Heuer says there is no smaller size available, but there might be in the near future.

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer

The watch itself is thicker than the Apple Watch, but many early users say the Tag Heuer Connected Watch feels incredibly light for its size, which is a great accomplishment.

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Tag Heuer
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Tag Heuer says you'll get about a day's worth of battery life from a single charge.

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer

Tag Heuer will sell this watch in seven distinct colors.

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer
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So what can you do with this watch? Let's look at the faces first, which Tag Heuer calls its "dials."

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer

This dial looks like a classic Tag Heuer Carrera watch face.

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Tag Heuer
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This dial feels more like Tag Heuer's "Aquaracer" variety.

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer

The interface for switching faces looks pretty similar to how it looks on the Apple Watch.

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Tag Heuer
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Now, onto the apps! Here's how alarms will look on your wrist.

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer

You just hold the X to turn off the alarm notification.

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Tag Heuer
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Done!

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer

Google's Android Wear will tell you the weather in your area.

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer
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It will also show you all the hot stocks.

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer

You can even read the news on your Tag Heuer Connected Watch. You can choose to get notifications from, say, BBC News.

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer
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By swiping up or down, you can read the whole news story or dismiss it entirely.

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer

This is how Gmail looks on the Tag Heuer Connected Watch. Like the Moto 360, you'll notice how the round screen cuts off a lot of text.

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Tag Heuer
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Thanks to Google Now, you'll get timely notifications for when to leave the house to get to a location on time.

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer

And you can also get incoming flight information.

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Tag Heuer
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You can use Shazam to find out the name of that song that's playing right now.

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer

Once Shazam provides the song and artist, you can tap it to sing along.

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Tag Heuer
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That's right: You've got song lyrics on your wrist now.

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer

Speaking of audio, you can control your music volume and playback right from the Connected Watch.

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Tag Heuer
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Above all these, however, is the watch application you've been waiting for: Golf!

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer

Combining information from the watch's GPS, gyroscope, and accelerometer, Tag Heuer's device offers all of the golf info you could possibly want. It can be your scorecard, show your distance to the next hole, and even suggest the best club to use.

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer
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Tag Heuer's smartwatch is a fitness device, too. It can count steps, work as a stopwatch, and plug into apps like Runtastic.

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer

This is a feature Tag Heuer calls "Guides." You can check out what's around you on your Connected Watch and look at locations and and call them.

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer
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If you choose to call a location, you can talk via the microphone on your Connected Watch, or you can take the call on your phone.

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer

If you get an incoming call or text, there are easy ways to respond from your Connected Watch.

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer
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Just click the reply button and start talking.

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer

Google Now accurately transcribes what you say, which you can easily send off with a quick tap.

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Tag Heuer
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If dictation isn't your thing, you can always respond with a hand-drawn emoji. Google's tech will translate your drawing into the proper emoji, which you can then send.

Tag Heuer connected watch
Tag Heuer

The Tag Heuer Connected Watch is available at the company's New York City store starting on Monday, but it's coming to nine other locations and 19 retail partners across the US and Canada on Tuesday. You can find out if it's coming to a store near you here.

Tag Heuer says it plans to roll out the Connected Watch internationally over the course of the month.

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