Montblanc fans can use smartwatches to make digital payments

The mobile wallet market has grown in popularity due to increased interest in NFC technology, and industries are setting the ground for a proper infrastructure that enables and encourages users to move away from cash payments.

Montblanc, the German luxury watch company, has taken a major step toward digitalization by joining the smartwatch world. The watch maker has introduced the TWIN smart strap, which can be attached to any of the company’s watches to turn them into genuine smart devices, requiring charging only once a week.

Thanks to the strap, the watches are full of new-generation options that come with any connected wearable, including phone notifications, activity tracking and digital payments through Montblanc Pay. Through the iOS app, users can connect Montblanc Pay to five payment cards.

“In this new stylish, smart strap, we’ve combined high-end materials with the most advanced technologies on the market to bring our customers easy, secure payment capabilities for their beloved watches – so they can delight in fashion and convenience while at the same time don’t miss out on digital use cases,” said Dr. Felix Obschonka, Director for New Technologies at Montblanc.

In collaboration with NXP Semiconductors, the TWIN companion app uses Bluetooth technology to communicate with payment terminals from VISA and MasterCard. In fact, Montblanc is set “to launch its own mobile wallet solution based on [NXP Semiconductors’] mWallet 2GO for its new TWIN smart strap.” The iOS app, currently the only one available, will synchronize with the user’s iPhone and access features such as calendar, events and images.

“As commerce expands from PC’s, smartphones and tablets to connected endpoints of all shapes and sizes, having both the partner network and the right technology in place are fundamental to delivering great experiences,” said Matt Dill, senior vice president, global products and solutions, Visa Inc. “Through the work NXP is doing, consumers will ultimately have even more ways to pay that are fast, secure and convenient to their daily lives.”

The wallet service can be integrated with IoT devices, wearables and mobile devices.