July 10, 2001 – In earlier days, Timex claimed its wrist watches could "take a licking and keep on ticking." To prove the point, Timex TV ads featured elephants that sat on the watches, which, though flattened, did indeed keep ticking after the assault.

Fifty years (and no elephants) later, with the debut of the company's Internet Messenger, Timex can claim its watches are not only tough, they're smart.

Timex Internet Messenger

On sale now, the Internet Messenger is being hailed by Timex as the "first to market" wrist watches that allow wearers to receive email and Internet content, including news, weather, sports and stock quotes.

Recently added to Timex's wrist-surfing menu: the ability to customize what information is delivered by using Web sites designed and serviced by Yahoo Alerts.

The watches can also receive mobile alerts from other content providers, such as those offering online auction or airline flight services, and watch wearers can configure their existing email accounts to forward messages to the timepiece.

"The Timex Internet Messenger isn't just about bringing a lot of technology to the wrist, it's about delivering real, useful innovations and features that makes everyday life a little easier," said Jan Mladek, Timex VP of Marketing for the Internet Messenger wrist device.

The company says the watch "fits neatly under the sleeve" and comes in three designs. It sells for approximately $99. Wireless services for the Internet Messenger watch are provided exclusively by SkyTel. Timex and Motorola teamed on the design and technology.

The watch doubles as an alphanumeric pager and can receive and store up to 16 Internet email, numeric or word messages. Wearers can choose the speed and the direction of the messages as they scroll across the watch's display. There is also a choice of a silent vibrating alert or several musical chimes for notification when new messages have arrived.

The watch also includes the features of the company's Ironman Triathlon sports watches that offer, among other training needs, a split-second chronograph and lap recall for speed analysis.

For More Information

Information on the Internet Messenger, including stores that sell the timepiece, can be found at www.timex.com. For information on personalization, visit the Internet Messenger home page at mobile.timex.com or Yahoo! Mobile.

SkyTel, a division of the MCI Group, offers various Internet Messenger access packages, including one that allows 500 word messages, of up to 100 characters each, for $9.99/month. Visit www.mci.com for details.