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The 2017 TAG Heuer Connected Modular 45 still looks and feels more like a luxury watch than most smartwatches of its era. Its interchangeable exterior parts, premium material options and TAG Heuer styling are real strengths; its software, daily charging and uncertain long-term serviceability are not. In 2026, it makes sense mainly as a style-led collector’s piece—not as a practical modern smartwatch.
What is the TAG Heuer Connected Modular 45?
The Connected Modular 45 is TAG Heuer’s 45 mm smartwatch introduced in 2017, the second major generation after the original 46 mm Connected. TAG Heuer identifies the 2017 Modular generation as Calibre E2. It launched with Intel hardware and Android Wear 2.0; it is a digital watch, not a mechanical TAG Heuer movement. It is distinct from the smaller Modular 41 and from the later Connected Calibre E3, E4 and E5 generations. TAG Heuer’s pairing guidance identifies the 2017 models as Calibre E2.
How does it look and wear?
The 45 mm case gives the watch substantial presence, with a Carrera-inspired design, physical crown and pushers, and a variety of finishes and strap combinations. Depending on reference, the range includes titanium, black-coated titanium and steel-bezel configurations; premium variants include materials such as ceramic and sapphire crystal. Surviving TAG Heuer US listings show how much the case, bezel and strap varied across the range.
Contemporary hands-on coverage described the watch as chunky but well made; its titanium construction could make it feel lighter than its dimensions suggest, but it was not especially compact. Engadget’s review noted both the size and build. Fit depends on wrist circumference, lug shape and case thickness—not diameter alone. Check for lug overhang and whether the case catches on shirt cuffs; a large-watch wearer may welcome its presence, while someone used to a compact smartwatch may find it imposing. The metal and strap choice also changes the feel, so there is no single comfort verdict for every reference.
#1 Best Overall
What does “Modular” mean?
Modular describes the watch’s external customization, not a user-upgradable electronic platform. The lugs and straps can be changed, and TAG Heuer offered combinations that let owners shift between sportier and more traditional looks. The user guide describes inter-modularity and changing parts such as lugs with additional accessories.
The core electronics are not meaningfully user-swappable, and changing exterior parts does not turn the watch into fundamentally different hardware. Contemporary criticism also questioned whether the name promised more than the product delivered. Engadget’s review makes that distinction. Do not assume a particular package automatically converts to a mechanical watch: any mechanical-module or trade-in arrangement would need to be confirmed for that exact reference, offer and region.
How good are the display and smartwatch features?
The round OLED touchscreen gives the watch a bright, polished face for notifications and TAG Heuer’s digital watch faces. Touch navigation is supplemented by a physical crown and pushers. Its most distinctive software presentation came from branded faces and customization; the everyday Android Wear 2.0 experience was broadly similar to that of other watches running the same platform. WIRED’s hands-on review noted that TAG Heuer’s visual identity was more distinctive than the underlying smartwatch software.
Rank #2
- TAG HEUER SMARTWATCH - Includes waterproof TAG Heuer Smart Watch Connected Calibre E4 42 mm Golf Edition, white strap, and black/green interchangeable rubber straps with titanium grade 2 buckles, USB-C cable, main socket, charging dock, and 3 Tag Heuer Golf balls.
- WHERE LUXURY MEETS SPORTS & FITNESS - Tag Heuer fitness watch features include heart rate, wellness, fitness, steps, calling, SMS, emails, compass, microphone, barometer readings, and more. Pre-installed apps & features include TAG Heuer Sports (Running, Cycling, Fitness, Swimming, other sports), TAG Heuer Wellness, TAG Heuer Golf, NFT Viewer.
- MAXIMIZED FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE - Tag Heuer Watches men or women is crafted in ultra-light grade 2 titanium and integrating ergonomic black steel pushers, the sandblasted, black DLC-finished case is built to endure.
- A MUST HAVE FOR EVERY GOLFER - TAG Heuer Golf Watch has a stunning 2D high resolution display showing hazards and distances of more than 40,000 golf courses worldwide.It's the perfect caddie on the wrist; one has just to glance at the watch to know the distance for the next shot while seeing the club recommendation.
- TAG HEURER WATCH POWER & CONNECTIVITY - Running on an impressive Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100+ chipset with a Sapphire Crystal AMOLED display 1.28". With smart watch features that connect with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, NS GNSS.
At launch, the feature set included notifications, apps, watch-face customization, voice interactions and connectivity features listed in TAG Heuer’s original guide, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and NFC. These are launch-era capabilities, not a guarantee that every associated app, service or payment function remains usable now. A 2017 feature list cannot establish compatibility with a current phone or the continued availability of Google services.
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Battery life and charging
The Modular 45 was a daily-charge smartwatch rather than a multi-day endurance watch. Screen use, brightness, notifications, Wi-Fi, GPS and third-party apps all affect runtime. More importantly for a 2026 buyer, a used example is roughly nine years old: its battery may have degraded substantially. Assume materially worse endurance than a new unit unless its condition is documented; launch-era expectations do not tell you how a particular old battery performs.
Charging also depends on the original accessory. TAG Heuer’s guide directs owners to use the supplied charging accessories and recommends qualified service for malfunctioning watches or accessories. Before buying, confirm that the charger is present and that the watch charges reliably. A missing charger, sensitive contacts or a battery that will not hold charge can turn an apparently inexpensive purchase into a poor one.
Rank #3
- 🧩 [PERFECT FIT] BoxWave Screen Protector Compatible With Tag Heuer Connected Modular 45. Two (2) Award-winning, crystal clear screen protectors, PRECISION-CUT to fit your Connected Modular 45's exact dimensions! Save the extra one for later, or share it with a friend!
- 💎 [CLARITY] Amazing GLASS-LIKE clarity; ultra-high 99% visual transparency produces vibrant colors
- 💪 [STRENGTH AND STABILITY] Made from high-grade thermoplastics designed for durability; ClearTouch Crystal PROTECTS your screen from scratches and dust
- 💦 [CLEAN] A GLUELESS adhesive bonds perfectly to your screen and will never leave a sticky residue after peeling
- 💼 [INCLUDED] Each package contains 2 ClearTouch Crystal screen protectors for your Connected Modular 45, a ClearTouch Applicator card, and microfiber cleaning cloth. [Please be advised] The special low-tack adhesive takes a little time to fully adhere around the edges and when it does, the air gaps clear out.The gaps will go away in about 2 days after regular use.
Water resistance, fitness and real-world use
TAG Heuer rates the Calibre E2 Modular 45 at 50 m / 5 ATM. The company says this is suitable for shallow-water activities such as swimming, but not scuba diving, water skiing or high-velocity water exposure. Its water-resistance guidance also matters more than the nominal rating when considering an old watch: impacts, case opening and aging seals can compromise protection. Leather straps and charging accessories are not water-resistant. Do not treat a used example as safe to swim with without an appropriate service assessment.
GPS and NFC appear in the original guide’s feature list, but current operation of location services, payments or individual apps is not established by those launch specifications. The Modular 45 may still be adequate for basic notifications or a familiar watch face if the device and required services work, but it is not a sensible choice for dependable modern health and fitness tracking, sleep tracking or guaranteed contactless payments.
Can you still use it with a phone in 2026?
TAG Heuer’s current support instructions require two apps for the 2017 Modular models: the Wear OS app handles pairing, while the Connected Modular app provides TAG Heuer-specific functions. The instructions do not promise continuing support or establish compatibility with today’s phone models and operating-system versions. Treat setup as uncertain until tested on the exact phone you intend to use.
Rank #4
- Aerospace grade patented material engineered for your specific device wet application
- IPG’s unique ingredients provide self-healing for your existing scratches
- Free lifetime replacement warranty for the life of your IPG Hydrogel TAG HEUER Connected - 45mm Screen Protector
- Virtually invisible, protects your display from unwanted scratches and repels dust, while reducing signs of daily wear
- Anti Fingerprint. Not Interfere with Touch screen Technology
If a watch will not pair, first check whether both companion apps can be installed and opened on the phone, then reset the watch, remove its Bluetooth entry and retry setup. TAG Heuer’s pairing instructions explain the two-app arrangement. If possible, test the watch with a compatible Android phone before buying; do not infer current iPhone compatibility from the product’s launch-era capabilities.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What did it cost, and what is it worth now?
Historical prices varied sharply by region and configuration. WIRED reported a UK starting price of £1,400 at launch. TAG Heuer’s surviving US pages show reference-specific historical figures from about $1,700 to $6,250, depending on materials and configuration; the listed products are now marked discontinued. These are launch or historical list-price signals, not current secondhand values. WIRED’s launch coverage reports the UK figure, while TAG Heuer’s US reference page illustrates the discontinued listings.
As of August 16, 2026, TAG Heuer’s US product pages identify Modular 45 references as discontinued. A surviving product page is not proof of stock. A fair used price depends on the exact reference, condition, accessories, battery health, charger and region; no reliable current transaction price follows from the old list prices.
Best Value
- 9H Hardness can effectively resist daily scratches.
- Dust-free,bubble free,one-push super easily installation.
- Oleophobic Screen Coating protects against sweat and oil residue from fingerprints.
- 0.33mm thick keep the screen responsive to every touch and tap.
- Extreme clarity preserves the original screen brightness and definition, ensuring viewing experience.
Who should buy one—and who should pass?
- It may suit you if you specifically value TAG Heuer styling, a large luxury-watch presence, premium material options, interchangeable exterior parts or a collectible piece of smartwatch history—and can accept limited modern functionality.
- Look elsewhere if you need multi-day battery life, current Wear OS features, dependable fitness tracking, broad app support, guaranteed payments, sleep tracking, long-term updates or readily available replacement parts.
For a newer TAG Heuer option, the Connected Calibre E5 is the current direct successor in the 45 mm luxury-smartwatch role, but it is a different generation with different hardware and software. TAG Heuer lists it with newer hardware and TAG Heuer OS on its E5 product page; do not use those specifications to describe the Modular 45. Buyers who mainly want current smartwatch features should compare current mainstream Wear OS options, or Apple Watch models if they use an iPhone. Anyone seeking lasting horological ownership rather than apps and notifications may be better served by a mechanical TAG Heuer.
Used-buying checklist
- Identify the exact reference. Match the case, bezel, strap and clasp to the reference number on the watch, box or paperwork; Modular 45 variants differ in materials and configuration.
- Inspect fit and condition. Check the crystal, crown, pushers, case, lugs and strap for damage, and consider whether the size suits your wrist. Do not assume the original water rating remains intact.
- Test charging and battery health. Confirm the original charger is included and works. Look for rapid percentage drops, shutdowns during use, charging interruptions, excessive heat or a battery that works only while plugged in.
- Test setup before paying. Verify that the watch reaches its setup screen and can charge, then try the required Wear OS and Connected Modular apps on a compatible phone if possible.
- Ask TAG Heuer about service locally. Get a written answer for your country about battery work, module or head replacement and parts support. Availability is not established by the existence of old product pages.
TAG Heuer’s official support identifies the 2017 Modular 45 as discontinued, and its published material does not establish an ongoing software-support commitment or current service availability for every market. That uncertainty is part of the ownership decision, not a minor detail.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
