Remember the “Connected to Eternity” portion of the idea that TAG Heuer had when the initial Connected Watch was launched at the tail end of 2015? It basically said that at the end of having had your Connected Watch for two years, you could bring the watch back to TAG Heuer, top up with USD1,500 and in exchange acquire a mechanical watch that — in principle — has no shelf life.

And now we meet the second generation of the Connected Watch — the TAG Heuer Connected Modular 45 — which packs the above punch a lot more upfront. Let’s just say you won’t have to wait the two years any longer in order to get your mechanical watch at the end of the Connected Watch rainbow.

The new TAG Heuer Connected Modular 45 will come in two essential variations. The first will present the connected watch module with a second mechanical — 3-hand — watch module, which can be easily swapped out from one to the other on the provided strap.

The second, and more luxe package, will come with the connected watch module and the Heuer 02-T tourbillon chronograph module.

But the modularity in either instances isn’t confined to just time keeping units. Obviously, the straps are interchangeable, however, so are the lugs and buckle as well. As such, there are a total of 56 possible variations. Only 11 of these combinations can be bought straight off the self. For any of the remaining 45 combinations, you are going to have to put in a special request.

Hang on, don’t just leave for your nearest TAG Heuer retailer just yet. Apparently, the TAG Heuer Connected Modular 45 already up and selling through www.tagheuer.com. This is, of course, country dependent. But hey, considering how fast they had generation one out at local stores across the globe, one can only expect the same in this instance, if not better.

It’s now, however, just the progression of the Connected Watch — so fast — into generation two that’s worth mentioning. As a sign of how dedicated TAG Heuer is in continuing to develop their know how in the field — and really make the knowledge their own — the brand has confirmed that the motherboard production, final check and assembly are now all done at the TAG Heuer manufacture at La Chaux-de-Fonds. Albeit, the processor and electronics are still made in partnership with Intel and the software is still provided by Google, which means to say you can except all the goodness of Android Wear technology. But that’s just in all good sense.

It’s still going to need you to have a smart phone to get started (Android app first; iOS app coming soon), but with initial setup out of the way, vital functions on the watch will continue autonomously and with Cloud connectivity while the watch remains in the range of your preferred wifi connection.

The connected and the mechanical watch will be covered under a two-year warranty period, while the other modular bits — straps and such — will be covered by the brand for a year.

With all the facts dished out, perhaps what remains to be said and the last bit of information that is the shocker are the prices of the two set types being offered.

The TAG Heuer Connected Modular 45 paired with a three-hand mechanical watch module (Calibre 5) is on sale from 1690 CHF, 1650 USD (ex.VAT), 1600 Euros, 1400 GBP, 13,100 HKD, 175,000 JPY (ex.VAT), 2300 AUD, 7350 MYR, 2400 SGD.

The version of the TAG Heuer Connected Modular that is paired with the COSC-certified chronograph Heuer-02T tourbillon mechanical module will come with an additional black rubber strap. This one’s priced at 17,900 CHF/16,650 Euros/17,000 USD (ex.VAT).

On another, not so distant note, TAG Heuer’s also announced that the 02-T Tourbillon Chronograph has just reached its 1000^th mark, in terms of units produced. To mark the milestone, Jean-Claude Biver has decided that the 1000^th watch will be bundled with a Connected Modular 45 and auctioned off on eBay for a worthy cause. Click here to bid.

Bids will be received from today until the 29th March 2017.  The reserve price for the watch has been set to CHF 17,900 and all proceeds from the sale will go to the Make-A-Wish foundation.