DIY and Raspberry Pi instead of an Apple Watch: You can build this 3D-printed “smartwatch” yourself

Smartwatches packed with impressive features are available at accessible price points nowadays, making DIY builds largely unnecessary from a practical standpoint. Still, tackling a project like this can be a rewarding experience. The ChronoWatch X2040 is one such effort, even if it falls slightly short of being a true smartwatch. Maker Vishal Soni has published detailed instructions alongside the required 3D-printing templates and software, allowing hobbyists to build the device themselves. Assembly is fairly straightforward according to the guide, though it does require some soldering.

At its core, the project relies on the RP2040 microcontroller—a chip with modest processing capabilities. Rather than requiring separate wiring, the chip is directly built into the round 240 x 240 LCD touchscreen sourced from Waveshare (on Amazon). Power is delivered by a compact 950 mAh battery measuring 10 x 25 x 35 mm. The enclosure is 3D-printed using ABS filament, which offers durability at the cost of being trickier to print than standard materials. The maker utilized a 0.1 mm nozzle, which is somewhat unconventional for everyday prints.

Out of the box, the custom firmware supports basic timekeeping features, including the date and a stopwatch. However, due to the RP2040's lack of Bluetooth connectivity, the ChronoWatch X2040 cannot mirror smartphone notifications. With that being said, a pedometer could still be integrated, for example.