Swatch plans smartwatch to compete with Apple Watch

Zurich

SWATCH Group AG plans to start selling a smartwatch within the next three months, potentially pitting the Swiss maker of colourful plastic timepieces against the debut of the Apple Watch.

The device will communicate via a form of technology known as NFC and won't have to be charged, chief executive officer Nick Hayek said in an interview. The Swatch smartwatch will also let consumers make mobile payments and work with Windows and Android software, he added.

Mr Hayek is ready to go head-to-head with Apple Inc, which has scheduled its …