To hear watch without the word smart in front of it will soon be indicative of a heirloom description. Even luxury watch brands are embracing smartwatches with Baselworld 2015 revealing some of the latest additions, suggesting 2015 is clearly the year of the intelligent wrist adornment.
But what can we expect to come in this burgeoning new gadget category? Is it worth waiting a little longer as the technology develops and prices drop? Or have we got kit just around the corner that's a must have?
We've rounded up all the best smartwatches to look forward to in 2015 and have even thrown in a few rumoured timepieces for good measure.
Asus ZenWatch 2
The Asus ZenWatch arrived to much appreciation thanks to good design. Now it sounds like the ZenWatch 2 will arrive later in 2015 offering more than looks, with a battery life clearing in Asus' sights.
The ZenWatch 2 is expected to be unveiled at Computex 2015, 2-6 June, before going on sale in Q3 2015.
There's little to go on in terms of specs, but its said that the ZenWatch 2 will offer 4 days of battery life. Fortunately, there's only a couple of weeks to wait before this new smartwatch is revealed.
READ MORE Asus ZenWatch review: Adding a touch of elegance
Samsung Gear A
Samsung is no stranger to the smartwatch arena having introduced several models to the market since its first attempt, but it has yet to dabble with a round display like some of its competitors. It looks like that is about to change however, with rumours emerging of a round-faced device going by the name of Gear A, or Orbis.
The leaks appeared on SamMobile and they suggest the Gear A smartwatch will come in two variants - a 3G connected model and a Bluetooth - with both supporting Wi-Fi and claims suggest they will also both offer wireless inductive charging.
Leaked information also suggests a rotating bezel as a control mechanism and it's likely that Samsung will use Tizen rather than Android Wear.
There is no word when the Samsung Gear A might be released, but speculation is suggesting it will launch internationally at IFA 2015 alongside the Note 5.
Motorola Moto 360 2
The second generation of Motorola's Moto 360 could be just around the corner after a new render appeared online claiming to be the succeeding smartwatch. News of a second generation Moto 360 first appeared when Lenovo exec Gleb Mishin responded to a question in Russia by alluding to the new device.
The render was first published on Chinese blogging site Weibo, followed by Phandroid, and it supports circulating rumours that the Moto 360 2 will feature a 360 x 360 resolution display. It has been suggested that the smartwatch is going by the codename smelt and it will arrive without the "flat tire" bezel and opt for a "hockey puck-like" face instead.
Recently a new device with the model number BTMW03 passed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, suggesting that a new Moto 360 is nearing launch. It's been suggested that Motorola might use Google I/O for the big reveal, so mark your calendars for the end of June.
READ MOREÂ Motorola Moto 360 2 leaks
Asus VivoWatch
The Asus VivoWatch is aimed at the sporting set, but the interest might be in the 10-day battery life that Asus is claiming.Â
The VivoWatch picks up on some of the elegant design we saw on the ZenWatch, offering a heart rate monitor and plenty of motion trackers. It's designed for sleep and activity tracking primarily.
It will be available in May and will cost £120, so it's both attractive in looks and price.
READ MOREÂ Asus VivoWatch announced
Tag Heuer smartwatch
Tag Heuer announced its first smartwatch at Baselworld 2015 and although few details were revealed, the device will be created in partnership with Intel and Google.
It will be the first luxury Android Wear smartwatch and the company said it should be available by the end of 2015. Rumours have suggested it will be a digital replica of the original Tag Heuer black Carrera and chief executive Jean-Claude Biver told Reuters at the show in Switzerland: "People will have the impression that they are wearing a normal watch."Â
The announcement follows a recent interview with Bloomberg where Biver said: "We can't produce the engine, the chips, the applications, the hardware - nobody can produce it in Switzerland. The hardware and the software will come from Silicon Valley. But the watch case, the dial, the design, the idea, the crown, that part of the watch will, of course, be Swiss."
READ MORE Tag Heuer confirms luxury Android Wear smartwatch
Alpina Horological Smartwatch
Another company to use Baselworld 2015 to announce a move into the smartwatch arena was Alpina. The Horological Smartwatch is aimed at women and takes a similar stance to Withings and its Activité smartwatch with analogue dials for activity data.
The Alpina Horological Smartwatch looks like any other analogue watch but an extra dial displays your daily step count, which is calculated using what the company calls MotionX tracking. Algorithms work with the Horological's movement sensors to offer the most accurate step count and it will also display sleep activity on the dials.
The battery life is said to be two-years and data from the watch will be synchronised via Bluetooth for Android and iOS devices. No pricing information has been revealed but we will update you when we hear more.
READ MORE Alpina Horological Smartwatch hands-on
Breitling B55 Connected
The Breitling B55 Connected is a smartwatch of sorts that is targeted at pilots, some of the company's main clientele, and it connects to an Android or iOS app on your device via Bluetooth.
The app will enable you to change time zones and therefore alter the digital display and analogue hands on the watch, as well as set alarms and sync to your phone. It won't track your steps or display your messages, but flights can be timed using the buttons and the app will back up the data collected by the watch to allow for sharing and logging.
Pricing and availability for the Breitling B55 Connected have yet to be shared.
READ MORE Breitling B55 hands-on
Frédérique Constant Horological
The Frédérique Constant Horological Smartwatch has all the features of a luxury Swiss watch but it also has Fullpower's MotionX technology on board, just like the Alpina smartwatch that was also announced at Baselworld 2015. It's worth noting that Fullpower makes activity and sleep tracking technology that is used in products from companies including Jawbone and Nike.
The Horological Smartwatch displays activity and sleep patterns on the secondary dial that sits down by the six o'clock area and it will connect to the MotionX-365 app to provide detailed patterns. It can determine sleep cycles, for instance, while factoring in baseline data from millions of nights of sleep for your particular demographic.
The Frédérique Constant Horological Smartwatch will be available around June in stainless steel or rose gold-plated cases and with a brown or black leather strap, or a steel bracelet.
READ MORE Frédérique Constant Horological Smartwatch hands-on
Gucci and will.i.am smartband
Gucci and will.i.am collaborated to announce a fashion smartband at Baselworld 2015, which has been in the making since 2011. The smartband is a standalone device, like will.i.am's Puls that was announced a few months ago and the Gucci offering appears to be a fashionable version of it.
It is 3G enabled, voice controlled and it will come with a front-facing camera, along with a heart rate monitor, temperature sensor and GPS. Battery life wasn't mentioned but if it follows the same path as the Puls, it might be built into the strap.
The Gucci will.i.am smartband will be able to make and receive calls, texts and emails, as well as store music, maps, calendars and track your activity. No pricing or release date information has been provided yet but we will update this feature when we know more.
READ MOREÂ Gucci and will.i.am unveil fashion smartband
Guess Connect
Guess and Martian Watches have teamed up to create this decidedly analogue looking smartwatch, the Guess Connect. Martian Watches will be keeping the smart side of things updated and the watch, based on the Guess Rigor, will allow users to customise it using the iOS or Android app.
There is a notifications window at the bottom of the watch face, but you'll also find a mic and speaker, which means you'll be able to use your watch to issue voice commands and take calls. Best of all, when the smart side of things runs out of battery, you can still tell the time!
The Guess Connect will arrive in October 2015 with prices ranging from $349 to $399.
READ MORE Why the Guess Connect is the sexiest smartwatch there is (hands-on)
Huawei Watch
For a brand that's usually about affordability, the Huawei Watch certainly adds a touch of premium. It's not cheap on any level with sapphire glass and a metal unibody. Like some other high-end watches, the Huawei Watch has gone for the large look with a thick build that's probably how everything is crammed inside.
Android Wear runs the show while the screen is an AMOLED 1.4-inch display at 400 x 400 pixels resolution in 286ppi, one of the most vibrant Android Wear smartwatches going. Huawei has used a Qualcomm 1.2GHz processor, 4GB of storage and 512MB of RAM - pretty standard now and similar to the LG Watch Urbane.
Pricing has not been announced but the Huawei Watch should be available from June.
Kairos
The Kairos smartwatch is a have your cake and eat it kind of watch, offering a full-functioning mechanical device, with a secondary see-through screen over the top of the hands to deliver notifications and other data. The transparent TOLED display will show you messages, emails and social notifications but when nothing is happening, you'll be able to see the watch hands beneath.
An accompanying app pushes the notifications to the watch, as well as offers camera functions and music playback and there is Misfit-powered sleep tracking and activity tracking on board too. The battery life is said to last between two and three days and the Kairos is compatible with iOS, Android and Windows Phone devices.
The Kairos smartwatch comes in numerous styles and materials with prices starting at $549 and rising to $1,249 for a limited edition version of 1,000 units. Pre-orders are open now.
LG Watch Urbane
The LG Watch Urbane features a metal body, stitched leather strap plus Android Wear software and it has been designed to look like a classic timepiece version of the G Watch R.
There will be the same 1.3-inch round P-OLED 320 x 320 display, 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processor, 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage on board, along with the same sensors and battery. It will come in gold or silver colour options.
We love the Watch Urbane as it adds some class and elevates the Android Wear device beyond the toy-like design of some of the previous models. You pay for those good looks though: the LG Watch Urbane is £259 and it's available to order now.Â
READ MORE LG Watch Urbane: A classic take on Android Wear
LG Watch Urbane LTE
LG unveiled the Watch Urbane LTE at MWC which shows what the future holds for wearables. It is 4G LTE connected, runs on a propietary LG Wearable Platform and it is able to function without a smartphone connected to it.
The watch combines sports functions, smartphone functions and everything else you expect from a smartwatch all-in-one.
The specs are similar to the LG Watch Urbane - with a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor and 1.3-inch 245ppi display - but there's a bump in RAM to 1GB, a bigger 700mAh battery and all that connectivity, including LTE, Wi-Fi and NFC. The LG Korean website suggests it will be released there on 21 April.
READ MORE LG Watch Urbane LTE: Fully connected glimpse of the future (hands-on)
Mondaine Helvetica No 1 Horological Smartwatch
The Mondaine Helvetica No 1 Horological Smartwatch was unveiled at Baselworld 2015 and it follows a similar path to the Alpina and Frédérique Constant models with an analogue face and secondary dial to display activity and sleep patterns.
There is no digital readout on the Helvetica No 1 Horological Smartwatch so you won't see emails, tweets or messages on the face, but it uses MotionX technology to provide accurate data readings instead. It comes with a brushed matt steel case, sapphire glass and a soft leather strap.
The Mondaine Helvetica No 1 Horological Smartwatch will go on sale in the Autumn.
Montblanc e-Strap
The Montblanc e-Strap screen sits on the underside of the wrist where the clasp would normally be. It effectively offers a second face for more information on your wrist but it means you can continue wearing an attractive watch without the need to make the jump to pure digital smartwatch.
The e-Strap is made from leather with a carbon fibre texture and features a 0.9-inch 128 x 36 resolution OLED touchscreen in a unit made from diamond-like carbon-coated steel. This will come in a selection of sizes and colours and it is both splash and shock resistant.
The e-Strap will track the wearer's daily activity and it offers a screen and vibration for phone notifications via Bluetooth 4.0, including calls, messages, calendars, social media, reminders, plus you can use it to control the phone's music player or camera. It will be available from June 2015.
READ MORE Montblanc e-Strap lets you upgrade your current watch to make it smartÂ
MyKronoz ZePhone
This is, like the LG Urbane LTE, a complete connected smartwatch on the wrist. MyKronoz ZePhone features the full Android 4.2 operating system, along with a SIM slot for a 3G card and access to all of Android's apps.
But the ZePhone goes further than any other smartwatch-cum-smartphone as it also features a heart rate monitor, making it a complete sporting device too. It has also got GPS and Wi-Fi for run tracking too.
Everything is voice controlled, like Google Now, and the battery will reportedly last three days on a charge. The watch is large but with full apps running, that's probably a necessity for a clear screen.
Pebble Time
The most highly-funded Kickstarter is here. Pebble is really what kicked off smartwatches when its first generation appeared. Now we have a new generation, Pebble Time.
Pebble Time is special as it's the only Pebble that not only offers a low-power display, but colour too. Despite adding a colour e-paper screen it's smaller, thinner and lighter than previous models. It may feel more budget than the likes of the Apple Watch or LG Watch Urbane but that's the point. It's there for function, not looks, and it stays there - for seven days on a charge. The strap can be swapped out easily apparently and the rear is more curved now to sit comfortably on your wrist.
The interface has changed too. Pebble has focused on a timeline approach to the interface that looks to work really well. A press of a button shows you what's next, another for what's just happened. Colour is used to good effect too adding a bit of punch to the notifications that appear on your wrist.
READ MORE Pebble Time: Hands-on with the most successful Kickstarter project ever
Pebble Time Steel
Available in silver, black or gold, the Steel version of the watch has a larger battery than the regular edition. Pebble claims that it can last up to 10 days on a single charge in preference to its stablemate's seven.
The Pebble Time Steel also comes with a couple of Smartstraps, in leather and stainless steel, which can be customised through adding a third-party sensor for different tasks, be that GPS, heart rate or something else.
READ MORE Forget Pebble Time, it's the Pebble Time Steel with Smartstrap that's the next big thing
Tissot smartwatch
Tissot used Baselworld 2015 to show off a working prototype of its smartwatch that features Bluetooth and NFC connectivity. The smartwatch was housed inside the head of a T-Touch Solar Expert and it will use Bluetooth to connect to an outdoor weather station that will come with the watch.
The station will measure altitude, barometric pressure, temperature and humidity more accurately that if it was built into the watch says the company. You'll also be able to attach small sensors to items like phones and keys, which the watch will then be able to connect to and direct you to them using its hands as the navigation pointers.
While the Tissot smartwatch is still in prototype phase at the moment, the company said it hopes to have it finished before the end of this year.
READ MOREÂ Tissot unveils smartwatch
Vector Luna and Vector Meridian
Vector announced two new smartwatches at Baselworld 2015, both of which will be compatible with iOS, Android and Windows Phones devices. The smartwatches will run on their own proprietary operating system and the Luna will be round, while the Meridian will have a square face.
Both the Vector Luna and Vector Meridian will come in a variety of steel finishes, with 22mm leather and link interchangeable straps and the company claims the smartwatches will have a 30-day battery life, which would blow many competitors out of the water.
Information such as calendar events will be delivered around the edges of the analogue-style display and a vibration will alert you to a notification but you will need to raise your arm for the message to display and lower it for it to disappear. The watches will also be able to track your activity and link to third-party apps like Nest and IFTTT. The Vector Luna is available to pre-order now for $349 and the Meridian for $199.
READ MORE Vector smartwatch launched at Baselworld 2015
Bulgari Diagono Magnesium
The Bulgari Diagono Magnesium concept was revealed at Baselworld 2015 and it is claimed to be a luxury timepiece "completely opposite" from other "so-called" connected watches. The company says it is 100 per cent Swiss and NFC-enabled.
The Diagono Magnesium was described as a self-winding, mechanical watch that apparently works with a protected electronic passport called Luxury Wrist Vault. The passport app is said to have a range of possibilities including making payments, logging in securely to a digital community, opening doors and starting your car engine.
Pricing, specs and a release data have yet to be detailed so whether we will see it this year or not is still to be confirmed.
Microsoft smartwatch
Microsoft is almost certainly working on a smartwatch. With Apple releasing its Watch this year, Microsoft can't afford to be far behind. Sources inside the company have told Forbes that it has a smartwatch coming with a two-day battery life, something only the LG G Watch R has managed so far.
We've reported on this watch before though and it hasn't appeared, so while we do expect something from Microsoft soon, we're not going to delve any deeper with this one until more solid evidence emerges.
Microsoft has released its Band, in the US only so far with the UK getting it on 15 April, but we'd expect a more complex watch-like device to follow.
READ MORE Microsoft Band announced with cross-platform Health app
Sony FES Watch
Sony-owned FES Watch is rumoured to be releasing an E Ink display toting watch this year. Rather than aiming at the high performance fans, like the Sony SmartWatch 3 does, this will be a subtler offering aimed at the fashion market.
Could this be Sony's attempt to compete with the Pebble low power smartwatch? We'll have to wait and see.
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