Garmin has unveiled the MARQ collection, a series of lifestyle connected tool watches.
In celebration of the brand’s 30th anniversary, Garmin has targeted the watches within the collection at the aviation, automotive, marine, outdoor and sport markets.
Speaking exclusively to WatchPro, Sean Biddlecombe, Garmin’s managing director for EMEA, described how despite having released a number of watches in years gone by, the firm sees this as its first real move in becoming a player in the watch market.
Mr Biddlecombe explains: “Up until this point we’ve made some nice watches for runners, for the climbers and for the sailors but I think now it is time to say look we have a tool watch.
“We’ve got a good installed base who we think these watches will appeal to, the runners, the fliers and the sailors but we also think there’s probably aspirational people out there now who want both a nice looking watch and the ability to have that tech as well if they want it.”
Garmin says that with the release, it is looking to redefine the multisport watch market and thinks it has gone some way in doing that with the MARQ Aviator, MARQ Driver, MARQ Captain, MARQ Expedition and MARQ Athlete.
Mr Biddlecombe added: “You’re exactly right about the move into the market. I think, two or three years ago we would not be speaking to the likes of you guys but I do think that now, with the MARQ, we’ve got an opportunity.”
The MARQ Collection uses select materials, each watch is built from titanium combines with a domed sapphire crystal for scratch resistance.
To complement the character of each MARQ, a strap or bracelet completes the look, allowing owners to match their style with Garmin’s interchangeable QuickFit strap solution.
The watches feature an always-on, sunlight-readable display, performance GPS and advanced sensors like wrist-based heart rate and wrist-based pulse ox2 to track a wide variety of sport activities.
It also provides premium smartwatch functionality including built-in music storage, Garmin Pay, smart notifications and advanced activity tracking for everyday use.
The battery life ranges from 12 days in smartwatch mode to 28 hours in GPS Mode and up to 48 hours in UltraTrac mode.
Dan Bartel, Garmin’s VP of global consumer sales, commented: “For the past 30 years, we’ve created products that have fueled people’s passions. And now, we have reimagined the tool watch with MARQ, a series of extraordinary connected instruments, authentic in every detail, an inspiration for new adventures.”
Take a closer look at the MARQ collection here:
The MARQ series is available in UK and Ireland from today and ranges in price from £1,399.99 to £2,249.99.
