Can you see it? Company CEO Nick Hayek presents the latest, world record breaking technology from the “Swiss Silicon Valley”.

The Swatch Group has just released a new micro Bluetooth chip which apparently has no rival in the industry... not yet anyway. The integrated circuit was designed by EM Microelectronic, Swatch Group R & D and the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology, and their joint efforts here have resulted in no less than three world records.

First, and straight to the point, this is the smallest Bluetooth chip on the market. Being able to miniaturize the chip to have a surface area of about 5mm squared means any electronic device which uses it will be smaller and more portable. It also means that Bluetooth technology can be added to even the smallest portable electronic device.

Second, it has the lowest energy consumption compared to its competitors. Where battery life is a huge question (or problem) for devices like smartwatches, this new chip will be able to increase the autonomy of connected devices.

Third, it seems that this chip is also highly responsive, with a high-speed start-up capability. The more than 5 million transistors on its surface make it possible to improve the reactivity and the lifetime for devices. On top of all that, this miniaturized chip has also been certified to meet the latest Bluetooth standard, which is now up to version 5.0.

Admittedly, most of us think of either high end brands like Omega or the very affordable plastic Swatch watches when we think of Swatch Group. But the company is actually one of the world leaders in integrated circuits and systems. They have also been very involved with the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology to develop a unique Swiss Made ecosystem in the tech space.

Needless to say, their innovations will also continue to have big implications for the future of connected watches. And while this innovation might not be the watchmaking equivalent of developing a new mechanical movement, it will have an impact far beyond the watch world. The goal here is also to meet the increasing needs of small connected objects that will be critical for the growing “Internet of Things”.