“At rest in the middle of everything is the sun.”

Nicolaus Copernicus, 1514 AD

What’s new is ancient.

Time.
One of the most precious commodities. 

How to count it was one of the original mysteries. The changing sky proved to be the quintessential time keeper. From sunrise to sunset the spinning of the earth, the lunar cycle and the sun’s daily and seasonal passing, sits at the foot of all time keeping and calendars. Our astronomical forefathers of time had a deep understanding of it. Along with John Harrison and Nevil Maskelyne, they are who inspired our new Copernicus collection.

Copernicus grabs a hold of the natural time cycles of the sun and the moon and connects them with the constant ticking of hours, minutes and seconds, like an electronic sundial. The watch face is reminiscent of a classic 24 hour clock, noon on top, midnight on the bottom, with the ever changing ratio of day and night displayed like a pie chart in the face display. The one 24 hour hand  follows the sun, pegging your place and time in the cycle, providing unique insights into both horology and personal time management.

How the YES watch company got started.

The seeds were sown decades ago, probably in childhood.  Bjørn, the founder of the YES watch company, grew up in Norway which has extreme changes in daylight time throughout the year. From long 24 hour sunny summer days to 24 hour dark, frosty winter nights. Intuitively aware of the variance between these natural cycles and the steady beat of hours and minutes, coupled with the Gregorian calendar, time keeping always had an air of mystery.

By the rocking 80’s the favorite time piece had become the Rolex Submariner, a beauty in steel with gold accents. While traveling he simply wanted to know when the sun would rise the next morning, plan for an early beach walk, but the Sub could not tell. Hmm, how come?

He decided to make his own, one that would capture these essential markers of time. It couldn’t be that difficult? It was. 

To check out our origin story visit this link:
https://www.yeswatch.com/wrist-watch/worldwatch…

For an interview with Bjørn check out this link:
https://www.yeswatch.com/pdf/2004-insync.pdf

Putting time keeping in the driver seat.

The COPERNICUS seamlessly blends GPS technology, a Japanese chip, NASA’s astronomical algorithms, proprietary programming and a high definition AMOLED display to  showcase to the minute times for the following:

• 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

Gunning for 42×13 mm. 

It takes space to fit all the components needed to independently calculate this information for that tiny spot on the wrist. Over the years we have become known for big and bold watches, and there is nothing wrong with that, I love the heft of the V7, but we surely understand the desire for a smaller watch. Something that women can wear too, more unisex. To that end, the thin AMOLED screen offers a crisp rendering of a digital hand, eliminating the space an analog hand movement would take and in the process bringing down the thickness. Coupled with the light weight carbon fiber case it provides  a very comfortable wear.

By eliminating the analog hand movement we got the size down to 42x13mm

Push the GPS crown once to set it.

Calculating the natural cycles of the sun and the moon is a complex affair. One must engage astronomical algorithms using LAT/LON, UTC time, TZ and DST system in order to predict it accurately. For the COPERNICUS we have developed a one button push setting sequence. Push the crown once to collect the GPS signal and the watch will calculate the data and set itself for exactly where you are. It will also automatically adjusts for DST.
If you are in a GPS denied environment it can be set manually via the listing of 650 cities worldwide, just like in our previous collections. There are two ways to set it..

The GPS antenna must have a 90 degree unobstructed “view”of the universe in order to capture a signal from 3 or more satellites. Metal cases will obstruct the signal reception which is why the Copernicus is done in carbon fiber. No problem receiving the GPS signal.

Carbon Fiber with scratch proof sapphire crystal.

The COPERNICUS  is constructed in carbon-fiber with AG sapphire crystal to 10 ATM water resistance specifications. Throughout this presentation you will see various case and bezel design, looking for that one we like the most. Once the internal module construction has been finalized we will complete the design. A various choice of colors and textures are available. We’ll invite contributors opinions on the case design as we go along.

Carbon Fiber offers lots of color and texture choices.

Wireless Charging.

The COPERNICUS will use wireless charging to stay powered. Battery life will vary based on use but with “normal” wear we expect 10 day plus battery life on a full charge. Rechargeable batteries is a whole science to itself. We are gunning for maximum battery and size efficiency. For example, a 1mm thicker battery will enhance battery efficiency by 25%. It’s a give and take in the design process and we are paying keen attention to ensure the best end result. The diagram for the wireless charging set-up.

AMOLED display.

We tested several different screen options. Crispness, color rendition and power consumption becomes the key criteria for choosing. We went with the AMOLED. Not the most power effective, but certainly the most beautiful.

A comparison of the screens tested for Copernicus.
 

The AMOLED display offers a wide range of grey tones and colors. The watch face has multiple color choices that can be set by user. 
 

The 24-hour dial is made out of a diffused poly carbonate which allows the white light from the screen below to illuminate it, a smart solution to maintain readability in all light conditions.

On solstice and equinoxes the thin dial marks the event with a checkered pattern. At the push of a button it gives you the exact time for the event.

A snapshot of the programming and operational script.

Funding the COPERNICUS collection.

To date we have done enough of a feasibility study to know we can pull it off.
We have sourced the key components and cross checked it with chip and programming requirements. We have already started the programming and pretty much knows what we want it to look like. The stages of development will add refinements to both the case and screen design. 
 We need your help to make it happen.

From concept to wrist.

The process falls into two phases, the first is to get the following done:
– Copernicus programming completed
– Development, design and engineering of module and case completed
– CNC production of CF case and various parts needed for prototype 
– Produce 2+5 fully operational prototype watches ready for testing, photography and reels

Once we have this completed we’ll proceed into mass production.
– Tooling of CF case and various parts needed in order to proceed to mass production
– Mass manufacture 400/100 black/white watches, of which the first 50 are for BETA testing
– Manufacture soft straps in silicon, woven nylon and leather in different colors.
– Produce 500 packaging boxes and IM’s
– Produce 500 charging magnets
– Ship to California and then to contributors

For the initial phase we are offering the following perks in order to reach our immediate funding goal of $50K which will allow us to complete the first phase, and then continue taking pre-orders during the second phase of manufacturing. Click on any of the  images to link to the campaign perk and reserve one for your wrist.

COPERNICUS PROTO $2,995 
Development cost + MSRP $14990 
 80% discount

This perk includes a total of 3 watches, one each from the 3 main phases of development and production:
– 1 of the 2+5 prototypes developed with case made by CNC process. Fully operational. This is for the collector who wants that absolute one of a kind time piece, and to be part of the development process from day one. Fitted on a NATO strap, serial numbered from 2-7
Delivery  estimated June 1, 2025, assuming funding campaign is successful.
– 1 of the first 50 black watches manufactured in carbon fiber with actual MP tooling for beta testing fitted on a rubber strap, serial numbered up to 50.
 Delivery estimated September 1,2025
– 1 of the 400 black Copernicus watches from the  mass production, along with your choice of nylon, silicon or leather straps. Serial numbers from  51-400. 10 ATM. 
Delivery estimated November 1, 2025

COPERNICUS BETA  – $995 
MSRP $1995 
50% discount

This perk includes a total of 2 COPERNICUS watches. 
– 1 of the first 50  watches manufactured for BETA testing in carbon fiber manufactured from actual MP tooling fitted on a rubber strap, serial numbered up to 50.
 Delivery estimated September 1,2025
– 1 of the 400 black Copernicus watches from the  mass production, along with your choice of nylon, silicon or leather straps. Serial numbered 51-400. 10 ATM. 
Delivery estimated November 1, 2025

COPERNICUS EARLY BIRD- $445 
MSRP $995
55% discount

This perk includes:
– 1 of the 400 black Copernicus watches from the  mass production, along with your choice of nylon, silicon or leather straps. Serial numbers from  51-400. 10 ATM. 
Delivery estimated November 1, 2025

COPERNICUS WHITE- $495
MSRP $995
50% discount

This perk includes:
– 1 of the 100 white Copernicus from the  mass production, along with your choice of nylon, silicon or leather strap. Serial numbered from  401-500. 10 ATM. 
Delivery estimated November 1, 2025

Once we have developed the prototype we’ll expand the perk offerings with a wider range of colors and soft straps. It is an exciting time in the creation of the COPERNICUS watch collection, an exersize in marrying state of the art technology with ancient wisdom.

Perfection is an endless pursuit.

Since 1999  we have developed seven generations of the unique solunar YES watches, the COPERNICUS is the eight.

We have gone to extraordinary lengths to capture man-made and natural time in a compact wrist watch in order to know the core cycles of time and  plan activities accordingly. Check out this link for our web site: www.yeswatch.com

We have done two successful Indiegogo campaigns before. It is how we funded the Equilibrium and the WorldWatch V7 collections. Check out these links to see our previous campaigns:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/yes-equilibr…

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/introducing-…

This is a few customer comments from those campaigns:

“Among my watch collection is a YES WorldWatch V7. It truly displays the most comprehensive and practical horological picture with just a brief glance. The amount of horological data (both Astronomical and Man-made) that this watch is capable of displaying staggers the mind.
The rechargeable battery easily lasts two months between charges, and would probably go to three. Then just pop it on the charger overnight, and you are good to go for another quarter.
Bjorn is an absolute pleasure to deal with. Honest and reliable to a fault. There are not many watch companies in existence today where one may speak directly with the President of the company to offer suggestions for product improvement, or just to converse about the subjects of Astronomy and Horology.
Among my collection of some very high-end German and Japanese watches, it is far and away my YES watch that receives the most wrist time.”
         Jim 

      “Dear Bjorn,
I just received the two V7 watches today and they are stunning! The attention to detail is impressive, and I love the color combinations. Thank you so much for bringing this project to fruition! You’ve had to work through many obstacles during the last year, and the quality product that you delivered is a testament to your dedication and high standards. All the best.”
      Ray 

“Pure awesomeness! Love the watch!”
    Landon

The COPERNICUS collection engages a whole new set of technologies and materials. I am excited to work with a carbon fiber case and a full color AMOLED screen. It surely represents a new set of challenges, but we have been working on this for a while. Turned a lot of stones, I am confident we will get it done. Quality is job number one.

Tell a time enthusiast buddy.