Sony FES Watch U: the e-paper watch gadget that changes the design of the face and strap (and is not a smartwatch)

The Sony FES Watch U is one of the strangest wearables that Sony has ever released: a watch that looks like a watch, but whose dial and strap are electronic paper screens. With a side button you switch between monochrome designs—analog, digital, patterns, your own photos—without installing fitness apps or receiving WhatsApp notifications. It is the «anti-smartwatch» by design: fashion and personal expression before productivity.

Why does FES Watch exist?

The project was born in Sony's Seed Acceleration Program (SAP), the internal laboratory that finances ideas outside the traditional catalog. The Fashion Entertainments (FES) unit first crowdfunded it on First Flight (Sony's platform in Japan) and then brought it to Europe in 2018, according to the statement from Sony Europe.

The idea: an accessory that combines watchmaking and Kindle-type reading technology. TechCrunch summed it up at the time: the band is also flexible e-ink, something that in 2016 was not found anywhere else wearable on the market.

How it works

The watch saves up to 24 patterns in internal memory. Press the side button to rotate between them instantly. To upload new designs, you connect via Bluetooth 4.1 LE the FES Closet app (iOS 9+ / Android 5+), where there are artist catalogs and the option to convert mobile photos into grayscale motifs.

Dezeen demonstrated in video that the pattern change is almost immediate: e-paper technology only consumes energy when updating the image, not to keep it visible. That's why Sony promises about two weeks of autonomy on a single charge, according to the official specifications.

Technical specifications

How much does it cost?

Sony never officially sold it in the United States or Latin America; Prices in dollars are equivalent to the launch exchange rate or import lists. In Europe, according to Sony Europe, the silver model went for £529 / €599 (~$680 USD) and the Premium Black at £699 / €799 (~$900 USD). In Japan (2017) it cost ¥46,000 (~$420 USD) and ¥60,000 (~$545 USD) for the premium version.

Is it worth it in 2026?

Sony hasn't released a massive successor to the FES Watch U or a global "SmartWatch 4." The product remains a niche gadget: expensive (~$680–900 USD at its European launch, or ~$420–545 USD in Japan), limited in features, and difficult to find outside of Japan and some European markets. Pocket-lint praised it for its design and originality, but criticized the price compared to an Apple Watch that does ten times more things.

Even so, it remains a reference for those looking for something different: a watch that does not distract you, with changing aesthetics and a battery life of weeks. In files such as FoneArena Gadgets it continues to be listed as a technological curiosity; The Sony UK support page was updated in January 2026, a sign that the manufacturer still maintains documentation and app compatibility.

Who is it for (and who is not)

• Ideal if… you want a conversation watch, you like e-ink, you hate carrying wearables every night or you are looking for a customizable fashion accessory.
• Avoid it if... you need notifications, NFC payments, GPS, Spotify or health tracking: the FES Watch U is not a smartwatch.

In summary

The Sony FES Watch U is a fashion gadget with an e-paper screen on the face and strap, the FES Closet app, 24 designs in memory and ~2 weeks of battery life. It doesn't compete with Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch: it competes with your style. If you find it second-hand or a Japanese import, it is a collector's item for lovers of rare Sony hardware.

Update (July 27, 2026): Guide based on Sony UK specifications, Sony Europe, TechCrunch, New Atlas, Pocket-lint, Dezeen and FoneArena.