ChronoWatch X2040

The latest issue of the Raspberry Pi Official Magazine highlights a custom hardware project that focuses on the core function of a watch: telling time. Creator Vishal Soni built the ChronoWatch X2040, a device that rejects the modern trend of intrusive notifications and data tracking in favor of a clean, purposeful interface.

Soni opted for a round form factor rather than the square displays common in commercial smartwatches. To simplify the hardware design, he utilized a Waveshare Round Touch LCD, which houses an RP2040 microcontroller. This decision allowed him to shift his attention toward software development and learning the Pico SDK. The physical build is straightforward, requiring a 3D-printed case designed in Tinkercad and a 950mAh battery for power.

Programming the device provided a significant challenge for Soni, who transitioned from Arduino to pure C code. He developed custom functions to handle touch inputs, ensuring the interface remains responsive. The watch includes several features such as adjustable screen brightness, multiple face options, a stopwatch, and orientation rotation. While the device currently lacks an external real-time clock module, which prevents it from retaining time during deep sleep, the project remains an example of practical engineering and problem solving.

Future updates to the ChronoWatch project may include a dedicated real-time clock to maintain accuracy, an alarm function, and an integrated step counter. Soni also intends to refine the physical design, specifically aiming to reduce the overall thickness of the case and optimize the battery size. This project serves as a reminder of what hobbyists can achieve by focusing on specific functional goals rather than attempting to replicate every feature found in mass-market electronics.