KING JIM's Visual Bar Timer series has exceeded 50,000 units in cumulative sales, driven by its horizontal bar-style time display and range of models. First launched in April 2024, the series has since expanded to include Large, Plus and Petit variants.
KING JIM's Visual Bar Timer series was launched in April 2024 as a timer with a new mechanism that displays the passage of measured time along a horizontal scale. Cumulative sales have now exceeded 50,000 units. Unlike conventional circular clock-style timers, it is designed to provide an intuitive view of the remaining time and to be easy to use regardless of age.
The original model used a horizontal bar format and featured two modes: standard timing and repeat timing. Repeat timing alternates between work and break periods and can also be used for the Pomodoro Technique. The scale has 20 segments, all of which are displayed at the start and gradually disappear as time elapses.
Initial sales were stronger than expected, reaching twice the first-year projection six months after launch and ultimately approaching four times that projection. KING JIM promoted the way the segments disappear on social media, while user posts also spread. In response to the expanding demand, the company decided to develop a series and subsequently introduced the Large, Plus and Petit variants in that order.
The second model, Large, was expanded for use by larger groups in settings such as meetings and seminars, and added a clock mode. The third model, Plus, features a backlight and setting dial, while consolidating the reset functions into a single button. The fourth model, Petit, is smaller and adds a flashing LED notification designed for quiet operation. It is available in four colors aimed at student users.
The three factors behind the product's success identified through the interviews were its broad age appeal, the effectiveness of its visually moving display, and its ability to deliver these functions at low cost.
Product information is available on the official KING JIM website. Interview and article by Osawa Yuji (大沢裕司).
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facts:[{"k":"Target users","v":"Designed for a broad age range, from adults to students"},{"k":"Timing","v":"Launch began in April 2024, followed by a series rollout"},{"k":"Scale","v":"Cumulative series sales exceeded 50,000 units"},{"k":"Features","v":"Horizontal bar format provides an intuitive display of the remaining time"},{"k":"Series","v":"Includes Large, Plus and Petit models"}]