Swiss watchmaker Swatch has gone on record to deny a recent media report that the company was working with Apple on a smartwatch, quite possibly the much-hyped iWatch. VentureBeat, a technology website had earlier reported the same citing and unnamed source.
Claiming the report was completely groundless and unfounded, Swatch exposed the only business relationship it shared with mobile phone makers was as an integrated circuits/electronic components supplier. There seems to be no stopping the speculations mounting the arrival of the iWatch. In its quest to outdo arch rivals Samsung Electronics and Google in the segment, Apple is reportedly working on a new wearable fashion accessory: the iWatch with earlier reports suggesting that the device could launch this autumn. Adding some solid ground to its intentions is a new development, wherein Apple has poached luxury watch brand Tag Heuer’s vice president for sales, Patrick Pruniaux to join its ranks.
The development was recently announced by LVMH, the luxury goods group behind Tag Heuer. Patrick had been associated with Tag Heaur for seven years. LVMH however did not disclose what his new job at Apple would be. Apple meanwhile was unavailable for comment. It must be noted that Apple has been on poaching spree lately, most of the hirings being executives from the luxury sector. Burberry ex-chief executive Angela Ahrendts is the company’s new head of retail and online sales while it hired French fashion brand’s former head, Yves Saint Laurent Paul Deneve to work on special projects.
