The Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E5 is a striking blend of technology and luxury, designed to entice buyers away from the more conventional smartwatches that lack horological heritage. But does it truly succeed in this endeavor? The answer is nuanced. While the smartwatch boasts several appealing features, including its aesthetic and wearability, certain technological aspects complicate a straightforward recommendation. Here’s a detailed look at my experience with the Calibre E5.
Specs, Price, and Availability
The Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E5 comes in two case sizes—45mm and 40mm—and offers a variety of finishes. The model examined here is a 45mm titanium version with a black DLC finish, paired with a rubber strap and a steel DLC-coated folding clasp. The smartwatch’s case also offers options in steel or rose gold PVD, alongside choices for metal, leather, and fabric straps. Additionally, there are two special editions: one in collaboration with sports brand New Balance and a special Tag Heuer Golf edition.
Pricing varies based on the model selected. The entry-level 40mm steel smartwatch with a rubber strap is priced at $1,600. The Golf special edition tops the range at $2,400, while the model reviewed here costs $2,300. These prices are significantly higher compared to most other smartwatches on the market. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 starts at $349, and the Apple Watch Series 11 begins at $399.
Wearing the Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E5
Fantastic on the Wrist
The Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E5 is unmistakably a Tag Heuer watch, and as expected from a brand with a history dating back to 1860, it is a joy to wear. Despite being the larger 45mm version, it is well-balanced, and the strap is notably comfortable. The folding clasp is easy to adjust, though it can become slightly warm during exercise; however, the perforations help prevent excessive sweating.
The 1.39-inch OLED screen is protected by sapphire crystal, minimizing reflections and adding a beautiful sheen. The two pushers have a soft, dampened action, and the rubber coating around the crown makes it easy to rotate. However, the Calibre E5 is not the only smartwatch offering such comfort and a sapphire crystal screen. What sets it apart is the feeling it evokes. Its style is captivating, and I feel proud wearing it, often choosing it over some of my favorite mechanical watches.
The range of watch faces enhances this experience. There are virtual versions of popular Tag Heuer dials, including the Aquaracer, Formula 1, and the new Solargraph models. The animated “holiday” faces, especially one featuring a sled-style Porsche 911, are particularly enjoyable. The Calibre E5 occupies a middle ground between a luxury analog watch and a smartwatch, more so than a Galaxy Watch or a Pixel Watch. While not everyone may appreciate this, those who do will covet the Calibre E5.
Technological Challenges
Apple is the Priority
It is no surprise that a Tag Heuer watch, smart or otherwise, is visually appealing and comfortable to wear. However, as a smartwatch, the technology must match the style. For the Calibre E5, Tag Heuer has opted to forgo Google’s Wear OS software in favor of an in-house operating system, tailored primarily for Apple’s iOS. Research indicates that 70% of Tag Heuer’s Connected watch buyers own an iPhone.
Smartwatches that are not Apple Watches but still compatible with iOS are relatively rare. The Calibre E5 does not utilize Apple’s Health or Fitness apps and is instead managed through the Tag Heuer app. This is true for Android phones as well. In my experience using the Calibre E5 with both Android and iOS, the Tag Heuer app’s design is slicker and faster on iOS, while the Android version lacks the same modern design.
Notifications are timely on both platforms, and starting and tracking workouts is straightforward. However, notifications are not interactive, necessitating the use of a phone. While connecting the smartwatch to a phone is simple, I encountered issues when connected to an Android device, such as the Calibre E5 refusing to update the OS due to Wi-Fi connection errors, which eventually resolved themselves. Additionally, the smartwatch disconnected from the app, requiring a factory reset to resolve. Although compatible with both Android and iOS, the Calibre E5 seems best suited for use with an iPhone.
Software Simplicity: A Double-Edged Sword
The Calibre E5’s menu system is accessed using the two pushers and navigated via the touchscreen and rotating crown. The menu is clear and logical, but users accustomed to Wear OS may need time to adjust. Swiping down reveals general health stats, while swiping up displays notifications. The smartwatch is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 5100+, likely part of the Snapdragon W5+ family.
Performance is not stellar. The software stutters when changing modes and is slow to respond when activating functions like the weather app. It is also less responsive than other smartwatches when scrolling through data during workouts. Without Wear OS or Apple Watch support, the Calibre E5 lacks access to an app store, and some key features, such as a maps app, are missing despite built-in GPS.
The design of the Tag Heuer software is commendable, with clear text, large buttons, and cool animations. However, the software is not as smooth or responsive as most other smartwatches, and without an app store, there is no way to fill in the gaps.
Health and Fitness Tracking
Before discussing what the Calibre E5 can track, it is essential to note what it cannot. Currently, it does not support sleep tracking, nor does it measure blood oxygen levels or heart rate variability (HRV). Tag Heuer promises these features in a future update, but no specific date beyond “this winter” has been provided.
This leaves fitness tracking and the heart rate sensor, placing it behind the competition. While the absence of sleep tracking is unfortunate, and buying a product based on promised future updates is ill-advised, it is worth considering how many users would wear the Calibre E5 overnight.
Tracking a run or a walk provides data on speed, distance, calorie burn, elevation, and heart rate zones. New Balance offers various workout plans focused on running, with integration into Strava, Apple’s Health, or Google’s Health Connect. Data is displayed in the Tag Heuer app, but during my tests, I found the data unreliable, differing significantly from that collected by the Oura Ring 4 and the Apple Watch Series 11. The algorithm’s inconsistencies in over- or undercounting depending on the workout need refinement.
While the workout tracking menu and information screens are visually appealing, the functionality is basic, and the data is difficult to trust.
Battery and Charging
The 45mm Calibre E5 houses a sizable 419mAh battery, a considerable increase from the 300mAh in the 40mm model. During typical use, including a 30-minute GPS workout, the battery depletes to about 60% over a day. With general use, the battery lasts two days before needing a recharge, exceeding expectations, as Tag Heuer anticipates only three days with Low Power mode.
The smartwatch includes a charging plinth that positions the screen vertically, functioning as a bedside clock. It takes approximately 90 minutes for a full recharge, gaining about 40% in 35 minutes. While this performance is decent, the Calibre E5’s battery life is shorter than expected, which is usually a key selling point for non-Wear OS smartwatches.
Conclusion: Is the Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E5 Worth It?
When initially introduced to the Calibre E5, it was described as the most affordable entry point into Tag Heuer ownership. Indeed, a quartz 41mm steel Formula 1 on a leather strap is priced at $1,700, while automatic Tag Heuer watches start around $3,000. Browsing the catalog, I was reminded of my fondness for the Formula 1 and Aquaracer models. The new heritage-inspired Solargraph Formula 1 models are particularly tempting and would satisfy the desire left by missing out on the recent Tag Heuer x Kith collaboration.
A Solargraph costs $1,850, and if I had that amount to spend on a Tag Heuer watch, it would likely be my choice over the Connected Calibre E5. However, wearing the Calibre E5 did inspire me, and like all entry-level products, it serves as a great advertisement for investing a bit more in something “better.”
Ultimately, deciding whether to purchase the Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E5 is not straightforward. I have enjoyed wearing it; it looks great and feels good on my wrist, and for basic functions, the software and battery life are adequate. However, missing features, concerns over health tracking data accuracy, and lack of app support place it behind the competition, which is significantly cheaper.
Despite its shortcomings as a smartwatch, the Calibre E5 is an exquisite watch. If you desire a smartwatch that emphasizes the watch aspect over technology and are not drawn to hybrids like the Withings ScanWatch 2, this could be the one for you.
