Swatch launches an analogue watch with Visa payments

Swatch’s latest timepiece doesn’t qualify as a smartwatch, but does offer mobile payments thanks to a partnership between the Swiss firm and Visa.

The Bellamy is equipped with a near-field communication chip so users can make payments at contactless terminals.

The watch is coming to the US, China, Brazil and Switzerland early next year, but there’s no word on a UK launch yet.

Combining analogue technology with NFC, Bellamy owners will be able to carry out touchless payments without the battery limitations usually associated with smartwatches.

But Swatch hasn’t disclosed whether there is any security in place to protect customers from fraudulent payments if their watch is stolen.

The watch giant describes the Bellamy as functioning like a “prepaid bankcard”, which typically has payment caps and daily limits.