Last week’s blog post was about a very simple NATO watchband. If you have time, you can take a quick look at the blog here: http://blog.watchdoctor.biz/2017/06/18/nato-watch-strap/
This week I thought we would talk about the latest in technology which is a smart watchband. I started doing a bit of research on this product after seeing a few adds on the internet. It looked like a cool way to get the latest technology of a smartwatch, while still wearing my trusty Timex.
Here are a few of the new designs that can make your “dumb watch” a bit smarter.
Unique
Unique looks like a traditional leather watch strap and fits any watch – but thanks to its multi-colour LED, vibration alerts and gesture recognition, it lets you receive notifications, reject phone calls, send pre-written texts, monitor your fitness, store all your security or transport passes, and be reminded instantly if you’re about to leave your phone behind.
The straps are slightly thicker than traditional watch bands. They are priced at $199 right now but you can get one for $139 during the early-bird offer.
Montblanc
The luxury brand Montblanc also entered the wearable market with their e-strap. Montblanc e-strap is an interchangeable strap, with an integrated technology device that offers an activity tracker, smart notification, remote controls and find-me functions. It goes well with the Montblanc app.
Kairos
T-BAND ND (No Display) model is designed for people who want extended battery life, basic notifications (via vibrator and multi-color LED indicator), and activity (fitness/sleep), health data monitoring without the need for fancy displays or touch sensor capabilities. Battery life is expected to last more than 7 days with the ND model.
Features:
On board Kairos OS will be able to push notifications such as text messages, incoming calls, and also push alerts from available apps via a discreet multi-color LED indicator and/or vibrator motor. On top of having multiple sensors such as 9-axis gyroscope, accelerometer, compass and optical sensor, the ND model also gets GSR (Galvanic Skin Sensor) which detects skin temperature and sweat.
Smart Buckle
Simply replace your standard watch buckle with the Smart Buckle and enjoy smart connectivity including activity tracking, sleep patterns and more. Watch the demonstration video below to learn how easily the Smart Buckle can be attached to almost any watch.
• Activity Tracker – 3-Axis gyro, angular velocity, and motion sensors calculate steps, pace, distance, calories burned, and sleep patterns.
Monitor your daily, weekly, monthly activity, and sleep data with the iOS or Android App.
Designed with high grade stainless steel finish to match and ensure the integrity of your traditional watch.
•Starting at $39, Smart Buckle is the most affordable and feature loaded wearable activity tracker on the market.
C.T. Band
CT Band is an ultra-thin, high-tech smart watch-strap designed to attach to any watch-face! Easily transform your traditional watch into a smart one without ever changing style or brand.
Discover the first CT Band product line, SimpliCT, offering 7 color options in leather and 11 color options in silicone.
Samsung TipTalk
Samsung TipTalk is a smart strap meant for traditional watches. TipTalk adds notifications, calling features and fitness tracking to any normal watch. The most interesting feature of TipTalk is how it receives calls by just pressing a finger on the ear – all because of the combination with a latest UX. ECG and PPG reader. These sensors are embedded into TipTalk for measuring stress level, heartbeat, breathing rate, skin temperature and body fat. The cherry on-top is the battery life of up to 7 days.
Modillian
The Modillian is a “smart strap” for watches and aims to bridge the gap between traditional timepieces and the emerging smartwatch industry. Essentially it is a replacement buckle for watch straps that has a Bluetooth connection and vibrates in order to alert the wearer to notification such as incoming calls, missed calls, and new messages.
18 Comments
jim bianchi
I refuse to buy a watchband that’s smarter than I am.
Bradley Parlin
Very cool Mark!! Keep up your super posts
Brent Ritchie
Thank you! I love your blog! Bought a Bond NATO band for my submariner after last week’s blog!
Stanley Sizeler
Sundial anyone?
Joel
There is something for everyone, but I choose to live without this one. It is fun to know about such gadgets.
Thanks for sharing.
Mark Morgan
Would not buy. Nice idea but not for this 73 year old. Mark
Tom nosker
Very cool, I had no idea this was happening! Thanks, Mark!
Linda
Very interesting! Love technology. This is a good solution for people who want to combine wearing a watch and a fitness tracker. A watch is so much better looking. Thanks for the information.
Miami Mike
Complete silliness. Next it will be a collar so the boss can summon you any time day or night, and will have a built-in GPS so the boss/advertisers/the government can track your every move. Now you can be notified immediately that you’ve won a Florida vacation, that someone can lower your credit card rates, that you need an extended warranty on your car, that some store you don’t shop in has a huge sale, and that someone from Africa wants you to help him get $450,000,000 out of the country and will give you half (and he loves you).
Personally, I decline to be that connected. I am not interested in being at the instant beck and call of a planet-full of spammers, hustlers, swindlers and political hacks. Just because something is technically possible doesn’t mean it is a good idea.
My watch (es) tell me the time, they don’t gratuitously annoy me.
Bill Taylor
Mark of the beast. Wish I was joking.
LARRY D BROOKS
My wife bought a Fit Bit watch and she wears it as much as her Rolex now.
Joel Darack
Thanks for the great work on my Submariner! And for the repair a few days later after I abused it on the racquetball court…..!
I have been moaning about the smart watches out there, whilst wearing my Rolex. I like the idea of these new bands and will surely jump in! Thanks again!
Mark DuBerry
Great idea, you can put it on one of your watchs for working out,work, camping ect.
Richard
I, too, bought a couple of nato-style watchbands after the last blog. I have one on my faithful Luminox and the other for a spare. Army green. of course, for this old vet. Very pleased with them!
Ken
I’ll file this in my “What will they think of next category” but stay with my vintage wristwatch beauties (Rolex, Omega, Cartier, Breitling & Patek). Cheers and keep the good stuff coming!
Justin
Fascinating and fun into! Thanks, Mark. I think I’ll wear my mechanical watches as they were originally,with a dumb strap!
Mike Pennington
Did not know that they existed.
Steve
This is a really informative post.Kudos! I will do a little more research on these.
Thanks,
Steve