For more than a century, sport has been the crucible in which the art of timekeeping was forged into science. The earliest wrist chronographs were built to time laps on racetracks and record splits at marathons. From the first Olympic stopwatches in 1916 to photo-finish timers, athletics pushed watchmakers to chase accuracy down to fractions of a second. Today, that same obsession has evolved — not just to measure time, but to measure you.

And that brings us to the smartwatch. Sport now demands more than counting seconds; it requires understanding motion, endurance, and recovery. An orchestra of sensors now tracks heart rate, blood oxygen, and even sleep rhythm. Using optical sensors (fact: typically photoplethysmography, or PPG, which measures changes in blood volume through light reflection), your watch can estimate your heart rate by simply detecting how blood pulses beneath your skin.

A patented Cushion Comfort System strap combines rubber and textile from the shoe inlay, enhancing comfort during long sessions

This accumulation of biological data is a different kind of pursuit compared to, say, the most complex mechanical calendars — those that represent the intellectual quest to conquer time’s structure through mathematics and micro-engineering. A smartwatch, on the other hand, decodes a living, breathing calendar of its own: your body.

It’s no secret that TAG Heuer has been pushing the concept of a digitally calibrated watch since introducing the Connected in 2015. The Calibre E5, now in its fifth generation, operates on the proprietary TAG Heuer OS interface that claims to be more responsive, cleaner, and smoother than prior versions. 

The green-and-violet colorway is co-branded with New Balance, matching the color cues with the FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 shoes

This upgrade makes its debut in the new TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 40MM × New Balance Edition. Encased in a 40mm DLC grade-2 titanium case, the watch adds advanced fitness tools: dual-band GPS (better accuracy even in tough environments), heart rate monitoring, extended battery life, and recovery metrics. 

The collaboration introduces new smart running experiences with built-in training plans, on-wrist guidance, and seamless performance tracking. At launch, users can choose from six exclusive New Balance running programs — from 5K prep to half-marathon and strength training — all accessible through TAG Heuer’s app. Once synced, the watch delivers phone-free runs, guiding athletes step-by-step with pace feedback, interval countdowns, and distance tracking.

The dial includes a new 0–100 scale that syncs with training metrics

After each session, data automatically syncs, allowing runners to monitor trends, progress, and recovery over time. Complementing the tech are three custom watch faces — “Casual”, “Balance”, and “Reskin” — in clean layouts, data-rich designs, and the collab’s signature purple-and-grey color scheme. And you get to test all this out with the accompanying FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 shoe. 

Antoine Pin, CEO of TAG Heuer, described the collaboration as an opportunity to push boundaries, saying that the “goal was to create a watch paired with a shoe that truly serves people who want to surpass themselves. Working with New Balance challenged us to rethink what runners expect from their gear.”

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, two-time Olympic champion, world record-holder hurdler athlete and ambassador for both TAG Heuer and New Balance

While TAG Heuer and New Balance have confirmed that the collection will be limited, the final production numbers remain undisclosed — and the watch and shoes will be sold separately. 

Tech Specs: TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E5 New Balance

Reference: SBT8082.EB0394
Movement: TAG Heuer OS Calibre E5; 1.5 days battery life with full performance / 2 days in “Low Power Mode” / 12h in sport mode (Running)
Functions & Sensors: TAG Heuer Sports Watch App; heart rate monitoring; calories; steps counter; compass; accelerometer; gyroscope; barometer; blood oxygen saturation; breathing rate; sleep tracking; heart rate variability
Case: 40mm; black DLC grade-2 titanium; water-resistant to 50m
Display: AMOLED tactile display 1.39”, 454×454 (326 dpi)
Strap: Bi-material rubber strap with textile inlay from New Balance shoes, with black DLC steel pin buckle; additional stretch textile strap
Price: CHF 1,950