Upon introduction of the Timex Datalink models, "data watches" such as those from Casio were noted as selling for "between a third and a half the price" of such models, but the "fiddly little buttons" (having to be pressed repeatedly to select letters from the alphabet) were regarded as less convenient and largely only appealing to those used to "doing things the hard way". In most cases data was lost when the battery expired. Newman on STS-88.Īlthough there are other watches capable of storing all kinds of data, most had either a small keyboard or buttons, which could be used to input data. The model 50 (Timex models 70502/70518) was worn by astronaut James H. All three models are water resistant to 100 m. The lower button arrangement and platform is the same for both model 50 and Ironman triathlon, but Ironman sports an additional start/split button on its face, indicating its additional chronograph functions. The Microsoft logo appears at the top, while the Datalink logo appears at the bottom for model 50. Note also the inverted circular arch digital display frame design on the model 50, compared to the frame design of the other two models. The small lens is seen on both model 50 and the Ironman. The evolution of the Datalink line shown with metal bands for easy comparison (left to right in order of chronological appearance): Datalink model 50 (1994), Ironman Triathlon, with the Ironman Triathlon logo on the upper part of the face (1997) and Datalink USB sports edition (2003). There is also the Timex Beepwear Datalink series, featuring wearable pagers using the Timex datalink platform which also function as electronic organisers. At the time of its introduction the watch was considered high-tech. There had been an evolution over the years as to the number and type of entries that can be stored in the various watch models as well as the mode of data transfer between computer and watch. The watches have been certified by NASA for space travel and have been used by astronauts and cosmonauts in space missions. These early models were, at the time of their introduction, the only watches to bear the Microsoft logo.
The model numbers indicated the approximate number of phone numbers that could be stored in the watch memory. The early models included models 50, 70, 150 and model 150s (small size). The watch was demonstrated by Bill Gates on 21 June 1994 in a presentation where he downloaded information from a computer monitor using bars of light and then showed to the audience the downloaded appointments and other data.
The Datalink line was introduced in 1994 and it was co-developed with Microsoft as a wearable alternative to mainstream PDAs with additional attributes such as water resistance, that PDAs lacked, and easy programmability. As the name implies, datalink watches are capable of data transfer through linking with a computer. It is the first watch capable of downloading information wirelessly from a computer. Timex Datalink or Timex Data Link is a line of early smartwatches manufactured by Timex and is considered a wristwatch computer. The leather strap version of the watch (model 69721) was worn by commander William Shepherd during Expedition 1 and cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin, Expedition 14, on the ISS. The wave pattern below the Microsoft logo indicates that the watch is water resistant. The optical sensor is clearly visible at 12 o' clock on the face of the watch. The model 150 with steel bracelet (model 69737) in PC-communication mode.