Micro Crystal
Micro Crystal AG is a Swiss manufacturer of miniature precision timing components — quartz crystals, RTC modules, oscillators, and OCXOs — serving IoT, wearable, automotive, medical, and industrial OEMs worldwide. It is a Swatch Group subsidiary with ~550 employees and production in Switzerland and Thailand.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1978
- HeadquartersGrenchen, Switzerland
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Micro Crystal does
Micro Crystal AG, founded in 1978 in Grenchen, Switzerland, manufactures miniature precision timing components, including 32.768 kHz tuning-fork quartz crystals, Real-Time Clock (RTC) modules, kHz and MHz oscillators, VCXOs, OCXOs, and an integrated digital temperature sensor module. The company's differentiated technology lies in integrating a 32.768 kHz tuning-fork crystal resonator with a CMOS-based oscillator and RTC IC inside miniature SMD ceramic packages, achieving ultra-low power consumption down to 45 nA, ±1 ppm accuracy, AEC-Q200 qualification, and temperature tolerance up to +125°C (kHz products) and +210°C (high-frequency products). Production runs from two ISO 9001/14001 and IATF 16949-certified factories in Switzerland and Thailand, with packaging technology supporting medical implantable, automotive under-the-hood, aerospace, and downhole-drilling use cases.
The company operates a pure B2B hardware sales model, selling through a direct field-sales force supported by regional and global distributors (Rutronik, LCSC, iCKEY, EKOM, Micro Devices Inc., and CoreStaff as of December 2025), targeting electronics manufacturers in IoT/wearables (primary segment), automotive, medical, industrial, building/security, and high-reliability applications. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; revenue is captured through design-in programs with support from design-in to mass production. Micro Crystal is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Swatch Group Inc. and operates alongside sister companies EM Microelectronic-Marin (RTC ICs) and Renata AG (coin cells) within the Swatch Group Electronic Systems division, with approximately 550 employees worldwide and no publicly reported funding rounds or external shareholders.
Micro Crystal firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Micro Crystal
- Legal name
- Micro Crystal AG
- Website
- https://microcrystal.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1978
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Micro Crystal AG is a Swiss manufacturer of miniature precision timing components — quartz crystals, RTC modules, oscillators, and OCXOs — serving IoT, wearable, automotive, medical, and industrial OEMs worldwide. It is a Swatch Group subsidiary with ~550 employees and production in Switzerland and Thailand.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Micro Crystal industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Precision Timing Components
- NAICS
- Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (33441)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Frequency Control Components (Quartz Crystals/Oscillators/Resonators) (HDAHANAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Timing, Frequency & Oscillator Components (Crystals, oscillators, resonators, clock generators) (IMAGAJAH), Oscillators & Frequency Standards (OCXO/Rubidium/Cesium/Chip-Scale Atomic) (HDAFAKAG)
Keywords
Where Micro Crystal is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Grenchen
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Micro Crystal business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Miniature Quartz Crystals Sales: Sale of miniature quartz crystals ranging from 30 kHz to 250 MHz for IoT, wearables, automotive, industrial and medical applications.
- Real-Time Clock (RTC) Modules Sales: Sale of RTC modules combining tuning fork crystal resonators with CMOS-based oscillators and RTC ICs in miniature SMD ceramic packages.
- Oscillators and OCXOs Sales: Sale of kHz oscillators, MHz oscillators, VCXOs (Voltage Controlled), and OCXOs (Oven Controlled) for precision timing applications.
- Temperature Sensor Modules Sales: Sale of digital ultra-low power temperature sensor modules combining temperature sensing with RTC functionality for asset tracking applications.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels4 records
Micro Crystal product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Micro Crystal AG manufactures miniature precision quartz timing components, including Real-Time Clock (RTC) modules, quartz crystal resonators, kHz and MHz oscillators, voltage-controlled crystal oscillators (VCXOs), and oven-controlled crystal oscillators (OCXOs). All products are packaged in miniature SMD ceramic packages and serve IoT, wearables, automotive, industrial, and medical applications. The company is among the largest manufacturers of 32.768 kHz crystals in the world.
Product overview
Micro Crystal manufactures miniature precision timing components organized into two main product families: (1) Low Frequency products — Real-Time Clock (RTC) Modules, kHz Oscillators, kHz Quartz Crystals, and Temperature Sensor Modules (TS-3032-C7), all based on 32.768 kHz tuning fork technology in ceramic SMD packages; and (2) High Frequency products — MHz AT-Cut Quartz Crystals, MHz Clock Oscillators, VCXOs, and OCXOs for frequencies from 8 MHz to 250 MHz. The RTC modules integrate the tuning fork crystal with a CMOS-based oscillator and RTC IC into a single ceramic package, offering ultra-low power consumption (as low as 45 nA) and high accuracy (±1 ppm). The portfolio spans applications from IoT/wearables to automotive (AEC-Q200) and medical implantable devices, with temperature ratings up to 210°C for high-frequency products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Real-Time Clock (RTC) Modules Miniature SMD ceramic-packaged RTC modules combining a 32.768 kHz tuning fork crystal resonator with a CMOS-based oscillator and RTC IC. Features ultra-low power consumption (down to 45 nA), high accuracy (±1 ppm), extended temperature range up to +125°C, and AEC-Q200 qualification for B2B customers in IoT, wearables, automotive, industrial, and medical device manufacturing.
- Temperature Sensor Module (TS-3032-C7) Digital ultra-low power temperature sensor module combining a 12-bit temperature sensor with an RTC IC and embedded 32.768 kHz XTAL in a miniature SMD ceramic package. Features programmable high and low temperature alarms with timestamp, ±1°C accuracy, and AEC-Q200 qualification for asset tracking and IoT applications.
- kHz Oscillators Ultra low power oscillators combining a 32.768 kHz or 100 kHz tuning fork crystal resonator with CMOS-based oscillator circuitry in a miniature SMD ceramic package. Feature extended temperature range up to +125°C and AEC-Q200 qualification for B2B customers in IoT, wearables, automotive, industrial, and medical applications.
- kHz Quartz Crystals 32.768 kHz and low-frequency tuning fork quartz crystal units in ceramic, metal, or thru-hole packages. Feature low ESR, wide load capacitance range, hermetically sealed packages, and AEC-Q200 qualification for automotive applications.
- MHz AT-Cut Quartz Crystals Standard AT-Cut quartz crystal units (8 to 30 MHz) and High Frequency Fundamental (HFF) inverted Mesa crystals (50 to 250 MHz) operating in fundamental mode. Feature high shock and vibration resistance, wide temperature ranges up to 200°C, and hermetically sealed ceramic packages for industrial, automotive, and high-reliability applications.
- MHz Clock Oscillators Oscillators operating with MHz quartz crystals in fundamental mode, offering excellent temperature and shock stability, frequency ranges up to 225 MHz, and temperature ranges up to 210°C.
- VCXO (Voltage Controlled Crystal Oscillators) Voltage controlled oscillators operating with AT-cut quartz crystals, offering excellent temperature and shock stability, wide frequency pulling, frequency ranges up to 170 MHz, and temperature ranges up to 210°C.
- OCXO (Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillators) High-precision oscillators combining an AT-cut quartz crystal resonator with a temperature sensor and heating element in one package, ensuring high frequency stability, high shock and vibration resistance, and low power consumption. Frequency ranges up to 120 MHz, temperature ranges from -55°C to +85°C, frequency stability down to ±75 ppb.
Quantifiable outcome
- Ultra-low power consumption as low as 45nA enabling extended battery life in IoT and wearable devices
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Micro Crystal
Customer profileSegments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Micro Crystal technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature4 records
Micro Crystal partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and minor.
- CoreStaffstrategicMicro Crystal announced a new strategic distribution partnership with CoreStaff, a leading provider of semiconductor and electronic components. CoreStaff serves as a distributor for Micro Crystal's precision timing products.
- Renata AGcoreRenata AG is a sister company within the Electronic Systems group of the Swatch Group, alongside Micro Crystal AG and EM Microelectronic-Marin Ltd. Renata is a world-class leader in coin cells from Switzerland and also offers rechargeable microbatteries.
- RutronikminorNew online distribution agreement for North America with Rutronik, one of the leading European online electronic components distributors established in the US since 2023.
- EKOMminorDistribution contract with EKOM, one of the leading local online electronic components distributors and representative company in Turkey.
- iCKEYminorDistribution agreement with iCKEY, one of the leading online electronic components distributors in China.
- Micro Devices Inc.minorDistribution agreement for India. The entire product range is available from the new distributor headquartered at New Delhi, India.
- CSEMstrategicCSEM and Micro Crystal collaborated to produce a best-in-class Real-Time Clock Module. The collaborative journey was presented in CSEM's annual report 2022.
- LCSCminorDistribution agreement with LCSC, one of the leading electronic components distributors in China.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Micro Crystal competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Seiko Epson: Japanese multinational and historically the world's largest watchmaker-founded crystal and oscillator producer; most direct comparable due to shared 32.768 kHz tuning fork heritage and broad crystal/oscillator/RTC portfolio targeting identical IoT, automotive, and industrial customers.
- TXC Corporation: Taiwan-based leading manufacturer of quartz crystals and oscillators with global scale; directly comparable across kHz/MHz frequency control products and competes for the same IoT and automotive OEM sockets.
- KDS Daishinku: Japanese specialist in quartz crystal devices including tuning fork and AT-cut crystals, with significant 32.768 kHz share; directly comparable product mix and customer base in wearables, automotive, and industrial timing.
- Abracon: US-based manufacturer of frequency control, timing, and RF components including crystals, oscillators, and RTC modules; comparable mid-market positioning targeting IoT, industrial, and automotive customers.
- ECS Inc. US-based frequency control product manufacturer producing quartz crystals and oscillators; comparable catalog-style mid-market positioning with overlapping industrial and IoT customers.
- Raltron: US-based manufacturer of quartz crystals, oscillators, and timing modules; directly comparable product portfolio targeting similar IoT, industrial, and consumer electronics customers with overlapping distribution channels.
Broad incumbents
- Murata: Japanese electronic components giant with a broad portfolio that includes quartz devices and timing modules; comparable products but as part of a much wider passive and RF component portfolio serving overlapping customers.
Emerging players
- SiTime: Silicon Valley-based MEMS oscillator company displacing quartz in precision timing; same IoT, wearables, and automotive applications but with a fundamentally different silicon-based technology that competes directly against Micro Crystal's quartz portfolio.
Others
- EM Microelectronic: Sister company within Swatch Group's Electronic Systems division; designs mixed-signal ICs including RTC ICs that integrate with Micro Crystal's crystals, making it both a complementary ecosystem partner and partial adjacenct competitor in integrated timing solutions.
- Renata AG: Sister company within Swatch Group's Electronic Systems division and world-class Swiss coin cell battery manufacturer; highly complementary as batteries are routinely combined with Micro Crystal RTCs in IoT and wearable designs, enabling co-selling rather than competition.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Micro Crystal social profiles
Digital presenceMicro Crystal compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Micro Crystal financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Micro Crystal leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Micro Crystal funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Micro Crystal M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Micro Crystal
What does Micro Crystal do?
Micro Crystal AG manufactures miniature precision quartz timing components, including Real-Time Clock (RTC) modules, quartz crystal resonators, kHz and MHz oscillators, voltage-controlled crystal oscillators (VCXOs), and oven-controlled crystal oscillators (OCXOs). All products are packaged in miniature SMD ceramic packages and serve IoT, wearables, automotive, industrial, and medical applications. The company is among the largest manufacturers of 32.768 kHz crystals in the world.
Is Micro Crystal a public or private company?
Micro Crystal is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Micro Crystal founded?
Micro Crystal was founded in 1978. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Micro Crystal based?
Micro Crystal is headquartered in Grenchen, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Micro Crystal make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Miniature Quartz Crystals Sales are the primary driver. The others are real-Time Clock (RTC) Modules Sales, oscillators and OCXOs Sales and temperature Sensor Modules Sales.
Who are Micro Crystal's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Seiko Epson, TXC Corporation, KDS Daishinku, Abracon, ECS Inc. and Raltron. Murata is listed as a broad incumbent. SiTime is listed as an emerging player. Others are EM Microelectronic and Renata AG.
Does Micro Crystal have an API?
No public API is recorded for Micro Crystal.
What industry is Micro Crystal in?
Micro Crystal's product category is Precision Timing Components. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHANAF, Frequency Control Components (Quartz Crystals/Oscillators/Resonators), with a secondary code of IMAGAJAH, Timing, Frequency & Oscillator Components (Crystals, oscillators, resonators, clock generators). Its NAICS code is 33441 and its SIC code is 3823.