There is no longer any doubt that the luxury watch industry has prospered, even while the popularity of smartwatches has taken off and entered the stratosphere.
The love of luxury has never faltered but the benefits of smartwatches and what insight they can offer in terms of health, fitness and social cannot be underestimated.
Combining luxury with these practical benefits seems obvious, but definitely easier said than done.
That’s where the Pininfarina Smartwatch by Globics comes in, as WatchPro discovers.
Pininfarina is a world-renowned design firm headquartered in Turin, Italy. With a rich 90-year heritage, it is considered to be a supreme expression of automotive styling and engineering, as well as experience design, transportation, industrial design, architecture, interiors, and nautical.
That iconic signature can also be found in a wide range of other products and projects from consumer electronics to stadiums, and this year will be visible in luxury watchmaking.
In partnership with Globics, the two brands are working together on delivering a hybrid smartwatch.
A fascinating concept to say the least, with a goal to not only offer high-level smart functionality, but a true luxury watch too, WatchPro caught up with Dominic Richardson, Head of Sales at Globics for the United Kingdom and Ireland, on just how the idea came about and how things are progressing.
He explained: “Our mission is to create high-quality hybrid watches that seamlessly blend the classic appeal of luxury wristwatches with the convenience and functionality of modern wearables.
“Drawing on our expertise in traditional watchmaking and our commitment to innovation, we strive to deliver a product that exceeds our customers’ expectations in every way. Our passion for exceptional design, meticulous artisanry, and state-of-the-art technology drives us to constantly push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of hybrid watches.”
The ultimate aim seems to be that for Pininfarina Hybrid Watches by Globics, the watches find the perfect balance between classic and contemporary.
In the quest to achieve this, traditional dial-and-hands aesthetics have been deployed, while advanced smart tools are available “to help you move through the world.”
The hope is that as the name suggests, the hybrid watch can bridge the two worlds.
Designed as everyday companions, the hybrid watches are designed to seamlessly transition to your life mode – whether it is work, play, fitness, travel, or adventure.
In terms of the benefits specifically and what they can offer to the consumer, Mr Richardson thinks the collection can offer a perfect balance.
He explained: “Featuring a SUS 316 Stainless Steel case & bezel with sapphire crystal glass, the smartwatch is equipped with state-of-the-art sensors to monitor your heart, aid fitness & performance and keep close track of your body while you sleep.
“SENSO is beautifully complemented by its range of interchangeable wrist straps, featuring genuine leather made in and imported from Italy. Future accessories are currently in the works and set to be announced soon.”
Adding: “Our optimized lithium battery tracks vitals for up to one month on as little as a 60-minute charge. Senso tracks steps, distance and calories burned, to effortlessly manage daily wellness goals. The heart rate monitor traces zones, ECG readouts measure the electrical activity in the heart, and HRV (HR Variability) tracks beats to lower stress levels. You can also monitor detailed datapoints as you sleep, work out a score out of 100%, and discover ways to improve sleep depth and efficiency.”
The companion app, available on Android and iOS, gives advances insights and offers overall a monitor on overall health given the many sensors.
As is the way of the world though, while the product can offer seamless design, high-level functionality, all at an accessible price point, it is important to build a brand which matches. This is true across all business but given the nature of the luxury industry, it is even truer for watch brands.
Maybe it is because the watch world plays host to the best in the world at marketing and branding itself in Rolex, meaning no matter who you are, or the quality of the product delivered, brands always seem to be playing catch up.
Knowing that marketing as ones self, especially as a new brand, the team at Globics and Pininfarina have placed paramount importance on getting the brand out there to ensure the entire eco-system of retailers, press and consumers know exactly what they are getting from the company, as well as the product.
The overriding goal for Globics and Pininfarina is “to create, design and distribute smart timepieces to find a distinctive intersect connecting classic and contemporary.”
On this, Mr Richardson tells WatchPro: “In terms of impact, we plan to be widely visible to those seeking a smartwatch that both tracks their everyday wellness and compliments their everyday style. Pininfarina smartwatches are the essence of accessible luxury with a deep-rooted heritage in iconic design.
“You will see us any and everywhere, including but not limited to fashion media platforms, tech media platforms, health and wellness channels, our own platforms inclusive of a deeply immersive website and Amazon. We are planning brand/influencers/ambassador collaborations that deepen an air of exclusivity coupled with high end performance of the most elegant smartwatch in the market.”
The product itself is of course of huge importance, especially given the connected nature of the modern world. Branding and marketing certainly helps but the product must back it up, allowing for the best marketing tool of all, word of mouth among those using the product.
As Mr Richardson explained, the watch is constructed from SUS 316L Stainless Steel which is resistant to scratches and erosion.
This, in addition to the single-pane sapphire crystal glass, which is five times more durable than standard glass and fully resistant to damage with anti-fingerprint coating, the watch not only has that luxury feel, but is also built to stand the test of time.
Speaking of luxury, the straps are made from genuine leather from Italy and are aged into unique patinas, with stainless-steel clasps securely fixed in place, a feature which seems to exemplify the hybrid theme.
Given the smart nature of the watch though, comfort is key, as is charge time. An optimised lithium battery offers extended battery life and can track vitals for up to one month on a 60-minute charge.
Looking at the experience itself, the companion app is, in more detail, designed to empower you to stay informed, with advanced insights to help monitor your overall health while better utilizing your watch’s many sensors. Sleep tracking also plays a pivotal role as detailed datapoints are monitored as the user sleeps to work out a score of 100%.
It offers the usual, expected, smart functionality too and tracks steps, distance, calories burned as well as managing daily wellness goals.
A heart rate monitor has also been deployed which offers trace zones, ECG readouts which can measure electrical activity of the heart, and HRV tracks beats to lower stress levels.
Epitomising the work done so far, Mr Richardson’s counterpart in the US, Chris Hartley, recently featured in WatchPro USA’s Hot 100 and was recognised for his work so far in bringing the Pininfarina Hybrid Smartwatch to market – certainly one to watch.
