Monday, October 27, 2014

LVMH: Time For A Smartwatch?

Fashion fans tempted by the Apple Watch´s glossy appearance as much as by its technological capbilities could be in for a treat, since LVMH might be getting in on the wearable tech act. The French conglomerate - which controls Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Céline, Givenchy, Fendi, Marc Jacobs and Kenzo, to mention just a few - is considering creating a watch to rival Apple's newest launch, and partnering with a tech company will be the first step.

Karl Lagerfeld: Fashion Meets Technology
"There are some talks taking place about a partnership," Jean-Claude Biver, president of LVMH's watch division, said. "Maybe in nine months, we will have a smartwatch."

In addition to a slew of fashion labels, LVMH also controls well-known watch brands including Hublot, Tag Heuer and Zenith - but the development would not be without its challenges, Biver acknowledges.

"A smartwatch is very difficult for us because it is contradictory," he told the Wall Street Journal. "Luxury is supposed to be eternal… How do you justify a $2,000 smartwatch whose technology will become obsolete in two years?"

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