Qualcomm said it will make its Toq smartwatch available to consumers on 2 December, although the device is being positioned as a proof-of-concept rather than full consumer proposition.

In a statement, the silicon giant said “the limited edition smartwatch will leverage breakthrough technologies necessary to deliver compelling user experiences on wearable devices”.

This includes the company’s Mirasol display technology, which it said is an “always-on, always visible reflective display technology that utilises ambient light to enable a crisp and clear viewing experience even in bright sunlight” and WiPower LE technology, which offers “drop and go” wireless charging.

Qualcomm is one of a number of vendors moving into the smart watch space, including Samsung, although some critics have said that early devices lack the maturity necessary for true consumer products.

Sony is some way ahead of the game, with the SmartWatch 2 it announced earlier this year being its third-generation product – although there is little sign that sales have been stellar.

Research firm Canalys forecast that five million smart watches will ship in 2014, compared with some 500,000 this year.

Toq enables users to accept or reject calls, view text messages and meeting alerts, and selectively receive notifications from smartphones or AllJoyn enabled devices.

Paul Jacobs, chairman and CEO of Qualcomm, said: “Like a traditional watch, Toq displays information at a glance with no on/off switch. And paired with a smartphone to receive notifications and content, it allows the watch to seamlessly merge our physical and digital lives. Leveraging these and other industry-leading technologies, we and our partners will enable new product opportunities and consumer experiences.”

The device is priced at $349.99 and will be sold online only. It is compatible with smartphones running Android 4.0.3 or later, and Qualcomm is also promising additional functionality for Toq via software upgrades.