Timex to release micro electromagnetic systems watch

Micro Electromagnetic Systems (MEMS) is the technology of microscopic devices mainly those with moving parts. The MEMS are made from four types of materials; Silicon, Polymers, Metals and Ceramics. In recent years they have been a huge part of the worlds technology push being used in a handful of industries. They are now branching out into the watch industry and it has been mentioned as possibly the next disruptive technology in watchmaking. These MEMS are incredibly precise yet manage to be so compact which is attained by making them as simplistic as possible. Other attraction points to using MEMS are their price and the extremely low energy consumption. MEMS components are usually around 1 to 100 micrometres in size and the full MEM ranges from 20 micrometres to a millimetre in full size. They could potentially be used to not only power a wrist watch but also regulate the traditional timepieces or connected hybrids.

A typical MEM usually consists of a main central unit which accepts, handles and processes data. This is known as the microprocessor which works in partnership with several other components that interact with its surroundings and example of this would be a micro sensor. SilMach is a French-based business at the forefront of MEM development, they have announced that they are now working with Timex to manufacture a range of watches which will be based on MEM technology and we on sale to the public market. SilMach will produce the motors and movements for the watches and will develop them over a number of years. Companies claim that they are the first ever to utilise this groundbreaking innovative nano technology.

At the current time Timex gets its movement parts manufacturing from Fralsen who will need to work closely with SilMach over the coming years to drive the development of the new technology and integrate it into the watches. In an interview the watch brand announced that they are hoping to release the MEMS watch in 2019 as long as all development goes to plan which isn’t that far away.

“Merging Timex’ 160 years of expertise in watch making with the pioneering skills of SilMach, the joint venture is set to disrupt the watch industry,”

The new movement known as a ‘PowerMEMS’ is said to have the potential to replace current magnetic technology which powers all existing quartz analogue watches. This is because of the high torque and high speed energy efficient silicon electric-mechanical property. By reversing the traditional usage of passive MEMS to translate an electrical signal into a micromechanical motion, PowerMEMS motors are uniquely positioned to replace the aging magnet based Lavet motors used in analog watches, connected watches and provide countless new applications.

“Together with SilMach we are disrupting the industry and setting the stage for nano technology. With this development, we are taking revolutionary steps that will dramatically enhance design and function in watchmaking in ways that were previously not thought possible.” – Tobias Reiss-Schmidt, Timex Group president and CEO