Radio Controlled Watches

Atomic clocks are the most accurate time pieces on the planet, but unfortunately far too large and expensive for personal use. Radio controlled watches, such as Casio’s waveceptor range, however give you a practical way to bring that accuracy to your own wrist.

Radio controlled watches utilise a network of 5 time signal transmitters located around the world. These transmitters are connected to super-accurate atomic clocks that deviate by around 1 second every million years, making them the most precise clocks in the world. Radio controlled watches listen out for signals sent by these transmitters and then automatically adjust themselves if they are out of sync, meaning that you never have to worry about your watch being wrong again.

By comparison, a quartz watch will fall out of sync by a few seconds each month. Mechanical watches, even the most expensive ones, will differ by a bit more again. Radio controlled watches will however correct themselves to always show the right time.

Even when the clocks change from GMT to BST or back again, radio controlled watches can automatically adjust themselves to correct for the change. Unless you are looking at them when it happens you won’t even realise that it has occurred.

What about travelling abroad?

Most radio controlled watches, such as Casio Waveceptors let you easily select the time zone that you are in. One this is set they will continue to track the time and make any needed adjustments.

What happens if I am not near a transmitter?

The range of the transmitters is huge, however radio controlled watches continue to function normally and accurately even if you are out of range of one. When a signal cannot be found they simply work like other wristwatches, tracking the time internally. The time will then be checked against the signal again next time you are in range and any adjustment needed made. Again, all of this happens without you having to do a thing.

Differing watch capabilities

Not all radio controlled watches function in exactly the same way.  For instance, some are able to pick up the signals from all transmitters whilst others are not.  We advise checking individual watch descriptions or speaking to one of our staff if you have specific questions.

More information

• Our range of Waveceptor radio controlled watches