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| 1 | 1971 | The Certina 'Biostar Electronic' with an electronic movement ESA 9156 becomes the first biorhythm measuring watch. Using a very complex method, the user's biorhythm can be calculated. If the user remained unsure about his or her proper biorhythm, the user could send his or her results to The Biorhythmic Centre at Basle, Switzerland, where they would be checked. |
| 2 | 1980 | The Omega 'Sensor' (cal. 1640), is equipped with a microprocessor. This multifunctional watch is activated by the touch of a finger and the function of the watch is determined by the direction in which the finger moves. The function possibilities are: dual time, count down, chronograph with lap and split time, two alarm-functions, two agendas etc. |
| 3 | 1982 | Pulsar premieres its first 'Biorhythm' watch (cal. Y772). |
| 4 | 1983 | In April, the Casio G-Shock DW 5000 is introduced. The electronic parts are protected by dampers. |
| 5 | 1986 | Seiko presents the 'Moon Phase' with all the lunar positions stored in its memory (cal. 7434). |
| 10 | 1987 | In September, Casio produces the 'Casio Phone Dialer' (DBA 800) with all normal watch functions and a special feature: when one of the fifty stored telephone numbers is chosen, a built-in speaker produces a signal that automatically dials the correct telephone-number. |
| 11 | 1988 | Breitling, Switzerland launches the 'Emergency Watch'. By pulling out an antenna, a transmitter with a reach of 20 kms is switched on. |
| 12 | 1989 | At a time when concern about the depletion of the ozone layer is growing, the 'UV Checker', produced by Casio (UV-100), enters the market in February 1989. Set for a certain skin type, the built-in sensor measures the ultra-violet ray intensity and an alarm will warn its user if the intensity reaches dangerous levels. |
| 13 | 1989 | In April, the 'Cosmo-Phase' (cal. CGW 50) by Casio reaches the market. A special watch for astronomers, it has the positions of the nine planets in our solar system and of Haley's comet for a period of three hundred years stored in its memory. The solar eclipse data can also be displayed. |
| 14 | 1989 | In September of the same year Casio presents its 'Moon Graph' (GMW 15). It gives moon phase data, sunset and sunrise data and is fitted with a lunar location display. |
| 15 | 1989 | In March, the 'Calorie Pedometer' by Casio (EXW 50) is released for the figure and fitness-conscious watch wearer. Its piezo-electric acceleration sensor system is able to detect the number of steps a walker or jogger will make. If parameters are set, the watch will display the speed and calories burnt during exercise. |
| 20 | 1989 | In September, Casio launches the 'Map Meter' (MAP-100) for the frequent traveller by road. When the little wheel is run along the map and the map's scale has been data-processed, the travel distance will be displayed. |
| 21 | 1990 | The 'Map Meter' (cal. 8M26), is also marketed by Seiko. |
| 22 | 1990 | The 'Sunwatch' of Saitek Hong Kong designed by Ian Sinclair Design Cambridge, England. When skin type and rating of sun cream have been entered, the Sun Watch will indicate how long its user can stay out in the sun safely. A buzzer will sound when time is up. |
| 23 | 1991 | In December, Casio launches another gimmick for the health-conscious watch owner. If the user's fingers are placed on the two built-in sensors, the Casio BP 100 'Blood Pressure Monitor' will give the systolic and diastolic blood pressure. |
| 24 | 1993 | Introduction of the 'Digital Compass' (CPW 100 and CPW 200). The LCD digital display acts as a compass to indicate the magnetic north at the touch of a button. |
| 25 | 1993 | The Casio 'Wrist-Commander', 'Wrist Remote Control'or 'Zap-Timer' enables the user to programme his or her watch as a remote control for televisions of twenty different brands (cal. CMD-40). |
| 26 | 1993 | The 'Gamma Control', developed by Ernst Uhlmann and sold by Yperwatch, Thurgau, Germany, is capable of measuring radioactivity. It also displays the total amount of radio activity the owner has been exposed to during the year. |
Copyright © by Pieter Doensen
email: doensen@xs4all.nl
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