Over a decade ago, someone tried to turn any watch into a smartwatch by adding a smart wristband. Ten years later, we hear someone is doing something similar. However, this time, French startup Smartlet has taken it to the next level. Instead of a whole new smart wearable, Smartlet lets you slap your choice of fitness band or smartwatch under your wrist, along with the regular watch on top.
Smartlet is a unique watch band that lets two watches—your favorite timepiece of the day (should we call it TOTD?) and your fitness band or smartwatch—share the same strap. This setup kind of reminds me of the wireless charging wristband for Apple Watch we saw last year.
As weird as this tech accessory sounds, it is very real. On the top of the wrist sits a traditional mechanical watch, the kind that fellow board directors will nod approvingly at. Meanwhile, on the opposite side, on the volar wrist, lives a smartwatch or fitness band. Smartlet will be pitching this idea at the upcoming CES 2026 in Las Vegas.
Let’s not talk about wear practicality for now. The idea itself is about balance: wearing your favorite conventional timepiece while still enjoying modern smartwatch features like step tracking, heart rate monitoring, and mobile payments. Notifications, though, might get a little awkward when you have to flip your wrist to check them. Just saying…
This brings us to the thing about wearing a wristwatch with the watch under the wrist. As a child, I used to wear watches that were too large for my wrist, and they naturally rotated to the underside. It eventually became a habit, and one that proved devastating for the watch. It received the same amount—if not more—abuse than a normal, upward-facing watch. That said, I am not entirely convinced it is a great idea to subject a US$300 smart timepiece to such risks. Especially when the watch band itself starts at US$420. Note: that price is for the band only.
Anyhoo, if you are game, you will be glad to know Smartlet is compatible with most popular smartwatches and fitness bands, including Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Google Pixel Watch, Garmin GPS watches, Fitbit Charge devices, and Whoop. On the flip side, it accommodates traditional watches with 18–24 mm lug widths, which means plenty of high-end models are covered, including Omega and TAG Heuer.
Apple Watch-first users may have no qualms about this. But if you are a watch purist, this is possibly the kind of product that makes you go pffft.
Images: Smartlet.
Story via CNET.
