SilMach launches revolutionary TheTimeChanger horologe with world’s first MEMS movement

SilMach has released the limited-edition TheTimeChanger horologe utilizing a revolutionary MEMS movement, the first motor innovation in over five decades for quartz watches. The silicon-based motor is anti-magnetic by nature and provides a continuous, retrograde movement that exceeds Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC) precision standards. The French timepieces are assembled in Besançon.

SilMach partnered with Timex in 2017 to develop an alternative to the Lavet motors used in all quartz watches today. The Lavet is a wire-wound motor that drives the hands, but occupies over 50% of a watch body. Micro-electromechanical systems are made of silicon and manufactured like computer chips with nano-meter precision and speed, eliminating tedious wire winding and installation of electric motors in watch movements. MEMS movements reduce the space required, are not affected by magnetic fields, and greatly lower power usage versus Lavets.

While smartwatch users are forced to recharge frequently, hybrid MEMS movement smartwatches can potentially run much longer while offering chronometer enthusiasts a classic alternative to black digital faces. TheTimeChanger can run over a decade on a single CR2320 battery.

Timex is planning on releasing hybrid smartwatches based on this innovation. The revolutionary MEMS technology has already been awarded “Best Of Innovation“ at the CES 2024 Innovation Awards, and SilMach will make further annoucements at CES 2024. In the meantime, why not enjoy a classic, Lavet quartz Timex (like this at Amazon) along with one of the 1088 copies of TheTimeChanger for €2,846.