NEOSID has developed miniaturized RFID components for use in the MACH 33 wrist watches produced by the special Swiss watch manufacturer Werenbach. To do so, the highly complex technology had to be realised in the smallest of space. Using URL forwarding via the built-in chip, watch owner can enjoy a real-time view through the window of the ISS space station on his smartphone. Sounds exciting? Then we have compiled some interesting details and facts for you about the RFID components, which build the core elements of the MACH 33 watch collection.
Into space and back on earth: custom-made NFC transponders from NEOSID for the MACH 33 watches
The MACH 33 watches include a quite special feature: Each watch face dial contains material from real space rockets – including that in which the German astronaut Alexander Gerst travelled into space. His futuristic view, his complex engineering expertise and his fascination for the limitless are also part of our philosophy, with which we manufacture our innovative RFID components for the widest range of applications. Via the NFC function in our NEOSID RFID tag, users of the MACH 33 watch can enjoy the astronauts’ view from the ISS in real time, via URL programming and an NFC-enabled smartphone.
What’s special about NEOSID’s RFID components?
NEOSID’s RFID components can be individually tailored to the widest range of applications. The miniaturized components take up only the smallest amount of space, and are able to resist adverse conditions in terms of temperature, pressure or aggressive chemical substances. Here is an overview of the special features of the NFC transponders in the MACH 33 watches.
Used IC: NXP ICODE SLIX
The chip that we use was specially developed for authenticating of objects in various sectors of industry, for example in medical instruments or tools in mechanical engineering. It offers a transfer protocol according ISO/IEC 15693 and supports near-field communication (NFC) in accordance with ISO/IEC 14443.
Model-specific programming
By programming the transponders with dedicated contents, specific functions are enabled. In the case of the Werenbach watches, this means access to a model-specific web page which provides users with additional information about their product.
Electrical quality
The NEOSID TAG’s electrical properties are finely tuned. As a result, and despite being surrounded by metal environment in the MACH 33 watches, it demonstrates excellent reading ranges when used with mobile devices.
Mechanical design
The NFC antenna’s extremely flat design enables it to be unobtrusively integrated into the watch case. The height of the watch is practically identical to that of the variant without NFC transponder.
NEOSID transponders as core element of the MACH 33 watches from Werenbach
The fascination for this technology, with which you can establish contact with the ISS space station via your wrist watch, is delighting friends of fine watches and space enthusiasts. The German TV channel Pro7 dedicated a feature in its Galileo magazine programme to these watches. It told the story about how these watches were created from scrap rockets. The beating heart of this watch collection is our RFID transponder, whose NFC function makes this view into space possible for the first time.
How a MACH 33 watch with RFID component is created
To manufacture parts of the watch dials, pieces of scrap from space rockets are used. These include scrap parts from the Soyuz MS-09 spaceship, in which the German Alexander Gerst flew into space. Suitable materials for manufacturing watch dials were filtered out of the debris. Ideal for this are parts which already show considerable signs of wear. The particular challenge when manufacturing the first collection lay in the 3.5mm thickness of the material. The material used for watch dials is usually around 10 times thinner. In order to be able to process the rocket scrap, Werenbach had to make a special cutting die. In the first collection, the entire watch dial was made from space rocket material, but in the new MACH 33 collection, only a smaller piece of rocket scrap was used in the watch dial. The clearer the traces of wear are on the watch dial, the more individual and authentic the entire watch. The NEOSID RFID transponder was also integrated into the watch dial.
This special feature has the MACH 33 watch by using a RFID chip
The NFC chip offers users of the wrist watches an unique feature. Via the NFC read function, for example in conjunction with a smartphone, the chip in the watch is read and leads directly to the video livestream from the ISS international space station. Werenbach has created a separate landing page for each model of watch, showing key data about the watch model and the part of the rocket that was used in it. As well as interesting information about the rocket mission and its progress, the user also receives numerous opportunities to individualize his personally watch.
NEOSID RFID transponder in MACH 33 watches: an example of the Internet of Things
In the Internet of Things (IoT), any type of object can have its own extended identity, thanks to the use of innovative technology. Watches in particular are regarded by their users as more than just something for measuring time, a constant companion in day-to-day life, a fixed part of the daily routine and last but not least, a status symbol. With NEOSID RFID transponders, any objects can become ‘smart objects’, therefore offering additional, fascinating functionalities for manufacturers and customers.
NEOSID – Your partner for smart solutions
We are a specialist when it comes to designing solutions directly tailored to your wishes and requirements. Working together with you, we realize ideas that use latest technologies in state-of-the-art applications.
Our expertise stretches back to 1933, when our business’s history began with the production of antenna rod cores from iron powder material. Today we are a worldwide leading company in developing and manufacturing of innovative, intelligent components for nearly all business sectors and applications.
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