Consumer technology markets are always looking for the next big thing. The market is always innovating. The newest tech revolution is the smartwatch. There will always be front-runners in the ‘smart’ sector, but that doesn’t stop smaller companies from trying to provide a unique selling point.
There will always be front-runners in the ‘smart’ sector, but that doesn’t stop smaller companies from trying to provide a unique selling point.
Designing, engineering and manufacturing a Smartwatch is not easy. Companies and designers set up Kickstarter smartwatch campaigns to help meet their production goals. Manufacturers use inventive designs to swing the market’s interest.
But what are the best Kickstarter watches at the moment? Which ones provide the best features and are the most prominent on the funding website? Let’s find out!
Top Kickstarter Smartwatches in 2018
eMit
We start with eMit. The designers over at eMit are looking to solve time-keeping issues, with their smartwatch. Their minimalist design invites users to view time in a different way.
This watch utilises a countdown timer, enabling the user to keep track of their time down to the last second. This feature is implemented to induce action and productivity from the user. The phone connects to your Android or Apple-based calendar.
From how long you’ve got left for lunch, to when your Dad’s birthday party is commencing. The eMit has a 2-day long battery and a minimalist design. It smashed it’s original funding goal and is looking for more support to maximize production.
Blocks
The designers behind Blocks are counting on the market’s love of DIY to sell their Smartwatch. The watch runs on Android programming and sports a number of applications to entice buyers.
Blocks smartwatch relies on interchangeable modules to provide advanced functionality. Users will become equipped with a heart rate monitor, a camera, contactless payment and many more features. The watch is customizable, which each module being a block that makes up the watch strap.
The Blocks smartwatch kickstarter campaign finished over 2 years ago. The design has changed slightly since then, but the designers believe that they still have something that the market desperately needs.
ZeTime
ZeTime is the world’s first hybrid watch with mechanical hands. It combines a round, colour touchscreen with a classically designed timepiece. With 30-day battery power and a host of useful apps, ZeTime hits that sweet spot in the middle of classic and modern.
ZeTime’s Kickstarter campaign was a success, and you could find the classic model and many other iterations for sale now.
AlpinerX
The AlpinerX watch is designed by the company Alpina which is also based in Switzerland. They set out to make a rustic Smartwatch to aid those with a passion for exploration and the outdoors.
It’s perfect for those that relish the opportunity to camp out and explore, harbouring a 2-year battery life. Alongside this, the watch has a number of apps, from activity tracking to navigational devices. It connects to your phone seamlessly and charts your progress and activities in graphs.
The AlpinerX Kickstarter campaign was a success. The watch is available to buy now in selected countries.
Muse Wearables
Muse Wearables is a company based in Bangalore, India. They set out to make a hybrid smartwatch that is wearable for any occasion. The Muse comes in two iterations: The Muse Minimo, and the Muse Grandeur (the larger of the two).
The Muse Smartwatch boasts a 1-year battery life, sapphire coated glass and water resistance. Smart movement technology allows you to assess your day’s activity, and UV alerts let you know if your skin is in any danger! Musepay is also a revolutionary feature, as you don’t need battery or internet to use it.
The Muse Kickstarter reached its target goal. You can pre-order it through its funding page as well.
Ticwatch 2
The creators of the Ticwatch 2 (Mobvoi) have offices in Beijing, Seattle and San Francisco. It’s a company that specialises in AI. They labelled their device ‘the most interactive Smartwatch’.
The Ticwatch 2 is the sequent watch after the original Ticwatch. It utilises amazing movement technology to support ease of use: from a scrolling function that uses the watches outer casing, to flicking your wrist to answer a call.
The feedback on the watches Kickstarter isn’t the best in terms or returns/reimbursements. Having said this, they now have a whole number of iterations of the phone available on their own website.
Filipo Loretti
Filipo Loretti is a company spearheaded by two brothers, who found the price of premium watches unacceptable. They are heavily inspired by the beauty of Italian architecture. They also have a partnership with a leading smart module producer in Switzerland.
The Filipo Loretti smartwatch model combines luxury design with advanced capabilities. The watch allows you to monitor your sleep, take pictures and play music. It also comes in a variation of eye-catching styles.
The feedback on the companies Kickstarter is positive! The varied styles and designs of the Smartwatch are available on their website.
Shift
The designer of the Shift is a company called Edgegear. They are dedicated to making life easier for the active individual. They specialise in designing equipment to help enhance the Smartwatch you already have.
The Shift band helps to move your watch face to where is comfortable. It is compatible with both Apple Watch and Garmin Watch designs. It allows you to view your watch screen without twisting your wrist, whilst you are running or exercising.
The Shift is available to buy from their website. Though the comments on the companies Kickstarter aren’t that favorable, it still remains an interesting asset to fitness-centric people.
GameBand
The company behind the GameBand are known as FM2 Games Inc. They are based in Menlo Park, California. There objective was to strip back the Smartwatch design and give the market a superb set of basic characteristics.
The GameBand Smartwatch sports a number of retro-gaming influenced straps. It is also compatible with an SD card, allowing you to utilise digital memory. PixelFurnace is the GameBand’s very own launch platform, boasting a number of unique games.
Unfortunately, according to comments on the Kickstarter, there doesn’t seem to be much movement. An update entitled ‘Still Alive and Kicking!’ was made in April. However, other than that they seem to have gone quiet in terms of production.
Agent
The Agent Smartwatch was a joint venture by Secret Labs and House of Horology. House of Horology has a selection of classic watches on their site. They planned to use ingenious technology, alongside experienced design in order to tempt funding.
The Agent is a self-charging smartwatch, it simply rests on a Qi charging pad. Its dual processing power allows it to run power-draining apps with ease. It is also highly compatible with your smartphone, and will even warn you when the two are separated.
Unfortunately, it seems the Agent Smartwatch never made it out of the production stage. The last update on the Kickstarter was in 2016, and since then nothing has happened. The premise was unbeatable, but unfortunately, it’s hard to bring it into reality sometimes.
Wearable Tech Trends
Do-it-yourself
The Blocks smartwatch capitalised on the DIY-trend present in the wearable technology market. It’s success was questionable. But those looking for a modifiable smartwatch need look no further.
Classic watch element
Everyone is aware of the main characteristics of a watch. It must have some sort of face that enables us to read what time it is at that moment. However, the companies that got creative, reaped the benefits.
ZeTime and Filipo Loretti both took advantage of this trend. But the choice is up to you, do you prefer classic or contemporary?
Stylish designs
Eye-catching aesthetics are a tool often used by designers to draw in funding. GameBand had an obvious focus on design, but that focus came at a cost that they ultimately couldn’t cover.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to smartwatches, being original isn’t hard. It’s relatively easy to come up with a unique idea that utilises interesting technology.
The watches that combined classic timepiece aesthetics with modern technology fared very well. It’s an interesting trend to observe, as it could be a result of indie makers fulfilling consumer needs better than big tech companies.
This is where crowdfunding could win big: by allowing consumer in on the ideation and production stage, the final product could solve real problems, instead of just chasing the next unicorn product.
