Watchy is an E-Ink watch with open source hardware and software. It has a barebones design utilizing the PCB as the watch body, allowing it to be worn as-is, or further customized with different 3D printed cases and watch straps. It is a unique timepiece that is also a wearable development platform, allowing users to create their own experience.
Watchy with the Calculateur watch face by Jochen (@asWeMay). Image used with permission.
Watchy’s E-Ink display delivers an always-on, beautiful, crisp image clearly visible under bright sunlight, and requires no power between updates. At 200 x 200 pixels and monochrome, the display offers a distinctive aesthetic.
Watchy has both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE connectivity, allowing it to connect with internet APIs (e.g., weather, news, traffic, maps, Spotify, etc.), as well as Bluetooth LE enabled devices.
With makers/hackers/tinkerers in mind, we chose the ESP32 for its large community and support for a wide variety of development options, such as Arduino, Micropython, ESP-IDF, and Zephyr-RTOS.
The funding from this Crowd Supply campaign helped address one of the most frequently requested features of Watchy — an enclosure! Though we think the plain PCB look is one of the most distinctive features of Watchy, and will continue to offer new 3D printed watch case designs, we think a lot of fans will appreciate the new injection-molded plastic and CNC anodized aluminum cases.
Every Watchy Kit + Case is bundled with an injection-molded watch case!
For those who don’t mind the extra weight and want a more rugged enclosure, a CNC anodized aluminum watch case is available separately.
The Watchy Kit + Case includes the kit pictured below, plus the injection-molded plastic enclosure (not shown).
The Anodized Aluminum Case includes only the new aluminum enclosure — you will need a Watchy to put into it. Purchasing both the Watchy Kit + Case and the Anodized Aluminum Case offers the most flexibility.
Check out our watch face gallery. We regularly create new watch faces and showcase community creations. Every watch face is fully open source and part of our Arduino Library.
Everything about Watchy is open source under the MIT License and OSHWA-certified:
| Watchy | PineTime | BangleJS | Pebble OG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | SQFMI | Pine64 | Espruino | Pebble |
| Display | 1.54" 200x200 E-Ink | 1.3" 240×240 LCD | 1.3" 240x240 LCD | 1.26" 144x168 memory LCD |
| Processor | ESP32-PICO-D4 | nRF52832 | nRF52832 | STM32F205RE |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth | Bluetooth | Bluetooth | Bluetooth |
| Programming Interface | Built-in USB-serial | External pogo pins/SWD | Bluetooth | Bluetooth |
| Tactile Buttons | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Touch Panel | None | Yes | Yes | None |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer + Heart Rate | Accelerometer + Magnetometer + Heart Rate + GPS | Accelerometer + Magnetometer |
| RAM | 520 KB | 64 KB | 64 KB | 128 KB |
| FLASH | 4 MB | 512 KB + 4 MB | 512 KB + 4 MB | 512 KB + 8 MB |
| Battery | 200 mAh | 180 mAh | 350 mAh | 130 mAh |
| Weight | 18 g | 38 g | Unknown | 38 g |
| Thickness | 9 mm | 11 mm | 17 mm | 11.5 mm |
| Width | 34 mm | 37.5 mm | 50 mm | 36 mm |
| Length | 46 mm | 40 mm | 50 mm | 52 mm |
| Waterproof | No | IP67 | IP68 | 40 m |
| Open Source | HW+SW+3D | HW+SW | SW | No |
| OSHWA Certified | Yes | No | No | No |
| Design Files Available | All | Schematic | No | No |
| 3D-printable Watch Cases | Yes | No | No | No |
| Price | $59 | $24.99 | $95 | $99 |
Watchy comes with comprehensive documentation and Arduino code examples that demonstrate every hardware feature. New watch faces and examples are regularly added.
"If you’ve ever wanted to be like Steve Wozniak and have your own custom-made, geeky watch, Squarofumi (stylized SQFMI) may have the product for you: an open-source, Arduino-powered smartwatch with a 1.54-inch e-paper screen."
Produced by SQFMI in New York, NY.
Sold and shipped by Crowd Supply.
Includes E-Ink display, Watchy assembled printed circuit board, battery, double-sided tape, wrist strap, and injection-molded plastic enclosure, all safely nestled in an attractive and instructional box. Assembly required.
A CNC aluminum case for Watchy, including an anodized top piece, an anodized bottom piece, four anodized buttons, and four stainless steel M3 screws. In total, it will add 25 grams of pure ruggedness to your Watchy Kit (not included).
