Press Releases
New Watch Helps Wearers Read the Fine Print
CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Calif. - November 29 2005 - In this age of increasingly sophisticated micro-gadgets, the iBEAM(TM) Optical Timepiece may not be the most high-tech Christmas gift around, but it aims to be the most practical. The new watch from iBEAM Technologies, Inc. is an elegant timepiece with just a few handy secrets. With the touch of a button, a light beam turns on and an outer lens flips up to become a magnifying glass. Used together, the light and lens make reading in low-light situations much easier.
Chris McKay, an award-winning inventor who counts among his inventions the best-selling DoodleTop® toy, created the watch when menus, bills, and business cards became difficult to read. He realized that millions of active baby boomers like him had the common eye condition presbyopia, which makes type appear to shrink.
Years of research and four U.S. patents later, the iBEAM watch was ready to hit the market. The water- and scratch-resistant watches now come in both men's and women's styles, and are available with Swiss movement, genuine Italian leather straps, and a date function on some models. Unlike many gadget-laden watches that are bulky and casual, the iBEAMs are streamlined and attractive, with the extra features subtly integrated.
"Even though I invented the watch primarily to help people read small print, many people think it's just cool," says McKay. "They find all kinds of uses for it." In addition to reading everything from maps to manuals, customers have reported using their iBEAM to fix flat tires and plug in computers cords. Both the flashlight and magnifier can be used alone.
iBEAM watches are available this holiday season in Brookstone stores and through a number of catalogs and websites. Most models retail for under $100. Visit www.ibeamtime.com for more information on the watches and where to purchase them.