Close Menu
WTX News
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • Who will win the 2025 F1 world title? Our writers have their say
    • Regretting You director: ‘I wanted Colleen Hoover to have a good experience on this one’
    • North Korea fires ballistic missiles, says Seoul
    • Archer to miss ODI as England step up Ashes prep
    • Burj Al Khazzan reimagined for a sustainable Riyadh
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    WTX News
    • Live News
      • US News
      • EU News
      • UK News
      • Politics
      • COVID-19
      • Business
      • Tech zone
    • World news
      • Middle East News
        • UAE News
        • Palestine News
      • Europe
        • Italian News
        • Spanish News
      • Africa news
      • South America
      • North America
      • Asia
    • News Briefings
      • UK News Briefing
      • World News Briefing
      • Live Business News
    • Sports
      • Football News
      • Tennis
      • Women’s Football
    • MY World
      • Climate Change
      • In Review
      • Expose
      • Special Reports
        • Conscience Convoy
        • Rohingya Report
    • Entertainment
      • Insta Talk
      • Royal Family
      • Gaming News
      • TV Shows
      • Streaming
    • Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • Fashion
      • Cooking recipes
      • Luxury
      • Money Saving Expert
    • Travel
      • Culture
      • Holidays
    • Sign Up
      • Log In
    WTX News
    • Live News
    • World news
    • News Briefings
    • Sports
    • MY World
    • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Sign Up
    Home - Scotland - Maggie’s smart watch vision for Scotland… 40 years ago
    Scotland

    Maggie’s smart watch vision for Scotland… 40 years ago

    By David Pike2 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Telegram WhatsApp
    Maggie’s smart watch vision for Scotland… 40 years ago

    Summary

    Former PM Thatcher wanted Dundee to be a smart watch manufacturing hub in 1983. Timex owner predicted revolutionary wrist computers. Plans never materialized.

    We have set up a Special Channel on X – Join in the conversation WTXNews

    Full News Report

    Maggie’s smart watch vision for Scotland… 40 years ago

    Maggie’s smart watch vision for Scotland… 40 years ago

    By John Paul Breslin For The Scottish Daily Mail

    Published: 23:14, 7 May 2024 | Updated: 23:14, 7 May 2024

    Former prime minister Margaret Thatcher touted Dundee as a potential manufacturing hub for smart watches, newly released documents show.

    Government correspondence from 1983 shows reclusive Norwegian billionaire Fred Olsen, the owner of the watch manufacturer Timex, had informed Mrs Thatcher that his company was on the cusp of a technological breakthrough.

    In a private briefing for the then PM he claimed his firm would soon pioneer a ground-breaking concept: watches linked to computers and which had screens capable of showing moving images.

    Pioneering: Smart watch

    The revelation led Mrs Thatcher to urge Mr Olsen to choose Dundee as a base for research, development and production of what were referred to as ‘wrist computers’.

    A briefing note from February 1983, seen by The Times, states: ‘Olsen predicts five years of difficulty before expansion.

    ‘Also he predicts a revolutionary development in timepieces towards what he calls a wrist instrument, bringing together watch, computer and possibly even flat-screen television technology.’

    The note suggested there was potential for ‘technology not yet available anywhere in the world’ to be developed in Dundee.

    Timex came to Dundee in 1946, starting with 11 employees in a converted farm building. By the 1970s it had grown to become Dundee’s biggest employer, with 5,000 people on its books. 

    Wrote letter: Mrs Thatcher

    However, by the 1980s, demand for traditional mechanical watches had slumped and more than 1,000 workers were made redundant.

    The decline prompted Mrs Thatcher to write: ‘Dundee has established a clear lead in the manufacture of computers. 

    I ask, therefore, to give consideration to establishing Dundee as the flagship of the Timex electronics business by giving Dundee key responsibility worldwide for research and development in this field.’

    The proposals failed to materialise, with Timex leaving Dundee in 1993 after an industrial dispute.

    Share or comment on this article:
    Maggie’s smart watch vision for Scotland… 40 years ago

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Telegram WhatsApp
    Previous ArticleWhen is the England squad announcement for Euro 2024?
    Next Article Germany vs Scotland – Match Preview 
    David Pike

    David Pike is an experienced news journalist with over 20 years experience as a UK News editor for WTX News and other news publications.

    Related Posts

    Former world snooker champion Graeme Dott to face child sex abuse trial
    UK News

    Former world snooker champion Graeme Dott to face child sex abuse trial

    Scotland 3-1 Greece Game Analysis
    Football

    Scotland 3-1 Greece Game Analysis

    African tribe camping in Scottish woodlands vows to stay put despite court order
    Scotland

    African tribe camping in Scottish woodlands vows to stay put despite court order

    Man, 41, charged over incident on easyJet flight to Glasgow
    UK News

    Man, 41, charged over incident on easyJet flight to Glasgow

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    Advertisment
    News Headlines
    North Korea fires ballistic missiles, says Seoul

    North Korea fires ballistic missiles, says Seoul

    Burj Al Khazzan reimagined for a sustainable Riyadh

    Burj Al Khazzan reimagined for a sustainable Riyadh

    Save 70% on VIP subscription
    News Briefings - the way to a better life
    News Briefings - the way to a better life
    Advert by Sponsors
    More from WTX News
    The latest gaming news - with game reviews and tips and tricks. updated 24 hours a day.
    The latest gaming news
    Hot off the press!
    • Who will win the 2025 F1 world title? Our writers have their say October 22, 2025
    • Regretting You director: ‘I wanted Colleen Hoover to have a good experience on this one’ October 22, 2025
    • North Korea fires ballistic missiles, says Seoul October 22, 2025
    • Archer to miss ODI as England step up Ashes prep October 22, 2025
    • Burj Al Khazzan reimagined for a sustainable Riyadh October 22, 2025
    WTX News latest breaking news sports and travel
    Latest News and analysis - Deciphering through the BS with exclusive News Briefings
    Facebook X (Twitter) TikTok Instagram

    News

    • World News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • EU News
    • Business
    • Opinions
    • News Briefing
    • Live News

    Company

    • About WTX News
    • Register
    • Advertising
    • Work with us
    • Contact
    • Community
    • GDPR Policy
    • Privacy

    Services

    • Fitness for free
    • Insta Talk
    • How to guides
    • Climate Change
    • In Review
    • Expose
    • NEWS SUMMARY
    • Money Saving Expert

    News delivered to your inbox

    Copyright WTX News 2025

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.