Garmin’s rotating crown may support clicks and gestures
Garmin may soon introduce a rotating crown input that goes well beyond basic scrolling. It’s not just about turning the dial. There are signs that the system could support pressing, gesture recognition, custom layouts and a sealed design made for rugged use.
This builds on our earlier coverage of Garmin’s work on crown-based input, which focused on magnetic sensing and external durability. Additional information reveals a more complete picture of how the control might work and what kinds of features it could enable in real-world conditions.
A rotating crown that also clicks
It turns out, the new control isn’t limited to rotation. It’s also built to detect presses. That means users could scroll through options and select them without lifting their finger.
For anyone who uses their Garmin watch during sport or outdoor training, that should make a difference. There’s less reliance on the touchscreen, which can be tricky in rain or when wearing gloves. There’s also less hand movement needed to get through menus, data fields or training screens.
This dual-input system, spin and press, gives Garmin the ability to rethink how many physical buttons need to be included on future watches. It may also allow for more efficient use of space on the case, especially for models with smaller form factors.
Feedback designed for motion
While the crown avoids traditional moving parts, that doesn’t mean it feels passive. The system is designed to provide subtle tactile response as it rotates. This could be delivered through internal magnetic resistance or notches that simulate mechanical feedback. The goal is to let users feel each movement clearly under their finger, even without looking at the screen.
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This matters when training or navigating outdoors. Small adjustments should be easy to detect without needing to double-check the display. Whether it’s zooming in on a map, switching data screens or changing interval settings mid-run, the feedback helps confirm input without interrupting focus.
The structure also avoids one of the most common failure points in scroll mechanisms. There is no rotating shaft that passes through the housing. Instead, movement is tracked magnetically, which makes the entire unit easier to seal and more resistant to wear. This supports Garmin’s long-standing approach to durability.
Input that responds to how you turn it
The system is not just about left and right movement. It can also detect how fast or slow the user rotates the crown. That opens up possibilities for gesture-like input. Fast spins could jump through menus or trigger shortcuts. Slower, more controlled rotation might be used for precise adjustments or scrubbing through data.
This level of control could be useful during activities where responsiveness matters. For example, navigating maps on a ride, adjusting pace alerts mid-run or toggling through performance metrics while swimming. The system also supports direction-based input, with the ability to register clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation separately.
Accuracy is improved by placing multiple small magnets inside the rotating element. This helps the watch track rotation more precisely, making input more reliable even when fine adjustments are needed.
A control that adapts to different watches
The entire crown assembly is structured in a modular way. It’s stacked vertically, which gives Garmin room to change the depth or mounting approach depending on the watch.
Placement is flexible too. The control doesn’t have to go on the upper right-hand side. It could be mounted on the left or even tucked into less conventional locations depending on the model. That opens up options for left-handed users, niche activities or sport-specific designs.
Garmin hasn’t formally announced anything, but the full scope of the rotating crown system is becoming clearer. It’s not just a scroll control. It’s a multi-function input that can be pressed, spun, sensed at different speeds and built into different shapes and positions.
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