Popular Timer That Visualizes Remaining Time Now Available with 4-Color Scale and Backlight: "Visual Bar Timer Plus" Released
King Jim Co., Ltd. will release the "Visual Bar Timer Plus," a new model of its popular timer that visualizes remaining time, on June 5, 2026 (Friday). This new lineup features a 4-color scale, backlight, long-duration measurement, and repeat measurement mode, responding to user feedback and catering to a wide range of uses in study, work, and training.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 12, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 13, 2026 at 07:43 (20h 11m after Collected)
King Jim Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Miyoko Kimura) will launch "Visual Bar Timer Plus" (https://www.kingjim.co.jp/sp/visual-bar-timer/vbt20/), a new addition to the "Visual Bar Timer" series, which allows users to intuitively grasp remaining time at a glance with its large horizontal scale. This new model, equipped with a 4-color scale and enhanced additional features, will be released on June 5, 2026 (Friday). The sales target for the first year is 20,000 units.
In recent years, there has been a growing demand for timers that allow visual comprehension of remaining time in various settings such as studying, working, and training. Our "Visual Bar Timer," launched in April 2024, was highly acclaimed for its intuitive display of remaining time via a horizontal scale, receiving approximately four times its initial sales target in its first year.
Responding to user feedback such as "I want to understand progress more easily," "I want to improve screen visibility," and "I want additional features for more convenient measurement," we are now launching the "Visual Bar Timer Plus," equipped with new functions such as a 4-color scale and backlight.
"Visual Bar Timer Plus" retains the original product's key feature of "grasping remaining time at a glance with a horizontal scale," while further enhancing intuitive understanding of time progression with a 4-color scale display.
It is equipped with features suitable for a wide range of scenarios including learning, training, and presentations, such as long-duration measurement up to 199 minutes 59 seconds (during count-up), a notification function for half the measured time, and a backlight.
With the introduction of this product, King Jim aims to support time management for diverse individuals and further expand its market share.
■ Product Overview
Product Name / Model Number: "Visual Bar Timer Plus" VBT20
Price: ¥3,800 + consumption tax
Release Date: June 5, 2026 (Friday)
Body Colors: White, Black
■ Product Features
・Remaining time easily understood at a glance with a 4-color scale
The scale, divided into four color areas, allows for a more intuitive visual understanding of the remaining time, beyond just the numbers on the timer.
About the time represented by one scale increment:
* During countdown: Depends on the set time. For example, if 60 minutes is set, one increment represents 3 minutes (60 minutes ÷ 20 segments).
* During count-up: Approximately 10 minutes per increment (Maximum measurement time 199 minutes 59 seconds ÷ 20 segments).
・Easy time setting with a dial
The dial allows for quick time setting, making it easy to set long durations. By pressing the dial, you can switch between "minutes" and "seconds" for the digit being set, enabling smooth operation.
・Long-duration measurement & Half-time notification
Capable of measuring up to 199 minutes 59 seconds (during count-up), it can handle time management for long test studies, lectures, or training sessions lasting several hours. Furthermore, it features a "Half-time notification" function that alerts you with a sound when half the measured time has passed, allowing you to grasp the remaining time audibly.
* Half-time notification can be turned OFF.
・3-level backlight
Equipped with a backlight, the screen is easy to see even in a dark room or during presentations. Brightness can be selected from three levels to suit the usage scene.
・Adjustable volume
Volume can be switched between three levels: "Large," "Small," and "Mute."
・Power button
The power can be turned ON/OFF with the power button, and it's possible to turn off the power while maintaining the settings screen, providing peace of mind when carrying it outside.
・Two selectable measurement modes
In addition to the "Normal Measurement Mode" for countdown and count-up, you can select the "Repeat Measurement Mode," which repeatedly alternates between work time and break time for a specified number of cycles. The "Repeat Measurement Mode" can be used for time management in studying and exercising, as well as for concentration methods like the "Pomodoro Technique*."
* A time management method that involves repeating 25 minutes of work and 5 minutes of short breaks, believed to increase concentration and productivity.
■ Product Specifications
In recent years, there has been a growing demand for timers that allow visual comprehension of remaining time in various settings such as studying, working, and training. Our "Visual Bar Timer," launched in April 2024, was highly acclaimed for its intuitive display of remaining time via a horizontal scale, receiving approximately four times its initial sales target in its first year.
Responding to user feedback such as "I want to understand progress more easily," "I want to improve screen visibility," and "I want additional features for more convenient measurement," we are now launching the "Visual Bar Timer Plus," equipped with new functions such as a 4-color scale and backlight.
"Visual Bar Timer Plus" retains the original product's key feature of "grasping remaining time at a glance with a horizontal scale," while further enhancing intuitive understanding of time progression with a 4-color scale display.
It is equipped with features suitable for a wide range of scenarios including learning, training, and presentations, such as long-duration measurement up to 199 minutes 59 seconds (during count-up), a notification function for half the measured time, and a backlight.
With the introduction of this product, King Jim aims to support time management for diverse individuals and further expand its market share.
■ Product Overview
Product Name / Model Number: "Visual Bar Timer Plus" VBT20
Price: ¥3,800 + consumption tax
Release Date: June 5, 2026 (Friday)
Body Colors: White, Black
■ Product Features
・Remaining time easily understood at a glance with a 4-color scale
The scale, divided into four color areas, allows for a more intuitive visual understanding of the remaining time, beyond just the numbers on the timer.
About the time represented by one scale increment:
* During countdown: Depends on the set time. For example, if 60 minutes is set, one increment represents 3 minutes (60 minutes ÷ 20 segments).
* During count-up: Approximately 10 minutes per increment (Maximum measurement time 199 minutes 59 seconds ÷ 20 segments).
・Easy time setting with a dial
The dial allows for quick time setting, making it easy to set long durations. By pressing the dial, you can switch between "minutes" and "seconds" for the digit being set, enabling smooth operation.
・Long-duration measurement & Half-time notification
Capable of measuring up to 199 minutes 59 seconds (during count-up), it can handle time management for long test studies, lectures, or training sessions lasting several hours. Furthermore, it features a "Half-time notification" function that alerts you with a sound when half the measured time has passed, allowing you to grasp the remaining time audibly.
* Half-time notification can be turned OFF.
・3-level backlight
Equipped with a backlight, the screen is easy to see even in a dark room or during presentations. Brightness can be selected from three levels to suit the usage scene.
・Adjustable volume
Volume can be switched between three levels: "Large," "Small," and "Mute."
・Power button
The power can be turned ON/OFF with the power button, and it's possible to turn off the power while maintaining the settings screen, providing peace of mind when carrying it outside.
・Two selectable measurement modes
In addition to the "Normal Measurement Mode" for countdown and count-up, you can select the "Repeat Measurement Mode," which repeatedly alternates between work time and break time for a specified number of cycles. The "Repeat Measurement Mode" can be used for time management in studying and exercising, as well as for concentration methods like the "Pomodoro Technique*."
* A time management method that involves repeating 25 minutes of work and 5 minutes of short breaks, believed to increase concentration and productivity.
■ Product Specifications