Garmin May Ditch Buttons for a Magnetic Rotating Crown

Garmin has consistently used its five-button control scheme on its watches, but that’s about to change. Recent leaks suggest the company is developing a magnetic rotating crown, offering a fresh way to control your smartwatch. Gadgets and Wearables first shared hints and concept renders, and Garmin Rumors later revealed technical details based on a US patent.

The Patent Reveals the Technical Solution

Gadgets and Wearables initially highlighted the progress of a rotating crown with magnetic motion sensing, along with potential design concepts. Garmin Rumors then uncovered US patent US20250341869A1, filed may 2, 2025, which thoroughly details the mechanism’s construction.

The crown utilizes a Hall sensor inside the watch case to detect movement from a magnet built into the crown-without physical contact. A solid case wall separates the components; no shaft or othre part penetrates the watch’s interior. this design ensures perfect sealing, eliminating customary O-rings prone to wear.

More Than Just Turning

This new crown won’t simply scroll through menus.The patent describes a dual input system that recognizes both rotation and pressure. A spring and dome-shaped element create a tactile response similar to a mechanical button when pressed. The Hall sensor detects changes in the magnet’s position, determining if the crown has been pressed.