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Epson Develops Revolutionary Radio-Controlled Watch Movement


WEBWIRE

TOKYO, Japan, July 7, 2005

Epson, in collaboration with Junghans Uhren GmbH of Germany, has succeeded in developing the world’s first1 analog radio-controlled watch movement that is capable of receiving signals from three different locations across the globe.

The solar-charged radio-controlled analog watches available in Japan at present are only capable of receiving standard radio signals from two transmitters in Japan (Fukushima and Kyushu). These watches are unable to handle different radio frequencies and time codes2 from other countries, so they cannot receive radio signals from other areas including those outside Japan. The new radio-controlled watch movement developed jointly with Junghans is capable of receiving radio signals transmitted from Frankfurt, Germany, and Colorado, U.S.A., in addition to the two locations in Japan. By selecting the preferred time zone using the world time function and receiving radio signals from Japan, Europe, or the United States, users can enjoy using a watch that boasts superior accuracy of approximately 1 second in 100,000 years.

In the joint development of this radio-controlled watch movement, Epson made the most of its strengths—high-precision processing technology and low power consumption devices—in order to make the gears slimmer and electronic devices and other parts more compact. As a result, a thickness of only 3.5 mm was achieved without sacrificing the watch’s superior functionality. Junghans, which began its partnership with Epson in 2003, has a long history of experience in radio-controlled watches. For this project, Junghans employed its radio signal processing technology to develop an accurate and trustworthy signal receiving system. By merging the two companies’ technological abilities, a compact and highly functional radio-controlled watch movement of exceptional quality was created.

Seiko Watch Corporation plans to put a radio-controlled watch model installed with this newly developed movement on the domestic Japanese market in September 2005. Junghans also plans to offer a radio-controlled watch model installed with a slightly altered version of this newly developed movement primarily in Europe in the future.

Epson and Junghans were involved in joint development projects for a battery-powered compact radio-controlled watch last spring, and for a solar-charged, radio-controlled analog watch movement that receives signals from two transmitters in Japan at the end of last year.

Epson aims to improve and expand its range of superior watch movements by further upgrading its area of expertise—hyperfine/high-precision processing technology.

Please refer to the attachment for details on the movement’s specifications and features.

1. The world’s first solar rechargeable analog type. Based on research by Epson as of June 2005
2. Time data information included in standard signals


About Epson
Epson is a global leader in imaging products including printers, projectors and LCDs. With an innovative and creative culture, Epson is dedicated to exceeding the vision and expectations of customers worldwide with products known for their superior quality, functionality, compactness and energy efficiency.
Epson is a network of 85,647 employees in 115 companies around the world, and is proud of its ongoing contributions to the global environment and to the communities in which it is located. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corp., the Group had consolidated sales of 1479.7 billion yen in fiscal 2004.

About Junghans
Junghans founded in 1861 does not only look back at a continuous watch-making tradition, but also possesses know-how ranging from the mechanical watch, beyond quartz watches up to radio-controlled watches. Junghans, the pioneer, presented as first manufacturer of radio-controlled wrist watches the legendary Mega 1 in 1990. Now, 15 years later - the next revolution!

Junghans is a member of the EganaGoldpfeil Group, a leading brand builder, marketer and distributor of timepieces, jewellery, leather and lifestyle products, with 50 brands selling in over 100 countries, supported by a network of 13,800 points-of-sale and integrated manufacturing facilities. Led by Mr. Hans-Joerg Seeberger, its Chairman, the EganaGoldpfeil Group has local subsidiaries in 19 major countries and 7,300 employees worldwide. For the fiscal 2004, it had a retail based turnover of 24 billion Hong Kong Dollars.



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