Tag Heuer, the French luxury group LVMH's biggest watch-maker, said it will launch a smartwatch this year using Google's Android operating system in a venture with Intel to compete with the Apple Watch.

Tag Heuer chief executive Jean-Claude Biver declined to give any details about pricing, functionality or design, but said on Thursday that it aimed to launch what would be the first Android luxury smartwatch in the fourth quarter.

The Apple Watch is due to go on sale on April 24th, and will range in price from $350 to $17,000 for an 18-karat gold model. It is the company’s first major new product in five years and consumer demand for the device is being closely watched by competitors and investors.

The watch needs an Apple iPhone to work fully so initial buyers will already have an Apple smartphone. – Reuters