Ever since I first learned about YES Watch back in 2011, I’ve been intrigued by what they’ve been creating. Along with regular timekeeping, they’ve created watches that can track all manner of solar- and lunar-related metrics. If you’re like me, and have held off because of the case size, the new YES Watch Copernicus might get you over the hurdle.
YES Watch Copernicus: what it is
To look at the YES Watch Copernicus is to see a natural evolution of what the YES Watch collection has been. What’s interesting to note is that gone is the physical analog hand. Instead, they’ve opted for an AMOLED screen to display all of the information. This screen is set into a carbon fiber case that they’re aiming to get in at 42mm by 13mm thick.
With that thickness, a lot of attention is going to what is packed inside of the case. Along with the chip to do all of the timing, you’ve got a rechargeable battery in there. They’ve settle on one that seems like it should get you 10 days of usage. Finally, they’ve also got a GPS chip in there. Why? Once the watch talks to the satellites, it knows right where you are and set all of the celestial functions.
What can the YES Watch Copernicus tell you?
It’s that GPS chip that enables so much of what the YES Watch Copernicus can do. What we really like about it is the fact that it’s all set automatically, which couldn’t seem easier. Here’s all of the interesting timekeeping things that the watch can do:
- sunrise and sunset based on latitude, longitude, TZ, DST and UTC time
- zenith and true midnight
- twilight, civil, nautical, astronomical plus the golden hour
- solstices, equinoxes, and cross quarter days
- moonrise, moonset and lunar high noon
- moon phase and lunar illumination
- time and date for the next new and full moon.
- sunrise and sunset alarm
- stopwatch with 24 hour lap time
- 99 minute timer, top of the hour alarm and 999 day countdown/up
- HRS;MIN:SEC in AM/PM or 2400 format to +/- 0.5 sec/mo
- month, date, day and year
- day of year, week number
- latitude, longitude, TZ and UTC time
- automatically adjusts to local DST
Wrapping it up
If you want to get a YES Watch Copernicus, you’re going to have to be patient. While they are pretty far along in the development process, there’s still a lot of details to be ironed out. That’s why, if you back the campaign before it ends on October 17, you’ll be waiting until November 2025 for shipping to occur.
When the watch launches to retail next year, the expected retail pricing is planned to be $995. However, if you pledge in the campaign, you can score a 55% discount and get one for $445. Check out the campaign and back it over at indiegogo.com / yeswatch.com
