Timex has become the first traditional watchmaking company to enter the smartwatch market with a new GPS watch available this fall. The new Timex Ironman One GPS+ (what a mouthful!) is seeking to simplify wearable technology by offering stand-alone wireless connectivity that doesn’t require a phone of any sort. The device is a little clunky, with the watch face measuring at 2 inches and the screen at a 1.5 inch rectangle. It is being marketed as a smartwatch that doesn’t require a smartphone and sport watch for when you don’t want to take your phone with you. It has some pretty standard features, only made more interesting because of the stand-alone wireless connectivity.
The Timex Ironman One GPS+ features include: email-based messaging capabilities, GPS tracking with the ability to communicate locations to friends and family, “Find Me Mode” which sends GPS location in case of an emergency mode, built-in MP3 component with 4GB memory, Bluetooth capability, high-resolution touch-screen display, one year of AT&T data connectivity included and water resistance up to 50 meters. The watch does, of course, also feature traditional GPS watch functions like tracking speed, distance, pace and the ability to share performance metrics through social media and online fitness platforms. I’m not 100% sure which platforms, as the press release doesn’t state any specifics.
The watch claims three days of battery life in standard mode, but only 8 hours with active GPS tracking and mobile data before needing to be recharged. The watch will go on sale this fall. Pre-order is now available on timex.com for $399.95. The watch comes in black and gray.
Here’s a video Timex put out promoting the new watch:
