UNA Watch is designed to combat the throwaway culture of smartwatches and other tech, which often end up in landfill when a battery dies or a screen cracks. Instead of replacing the whole device, UNA Watch allows users to swap out broken parts, a revolutionary alternative in an industry more than half of people (54%) in the UK believe is dominated by planned obsolescence, according to new research. 

The Kickstarter campaign – which launches at 1pm on the 2nd April – has targeted raising £500,000 through 2,500 pre-orders in the UK and US. This will fund the first full production run and build a global community of early adopters who share UNA Watch’s vision for a more sustainable approach to wearable technology.

Interest in the tech is already fierce, with more than 13,000 people pre-registering and more than 3,000 placing deposits. Unlike traditional smartwatches, which require costly repairs or outright replacement, UNA Watch’s patent pending technology  allows users to easily replace key components, such as screens, batteries, and sensors.

UNA Watch’s launch comes at a critical time. The UK is one of the worst offenders for e-waste globally, producing 24kg per person annually – second only to Norway.

A survey designed to gauge the scale of the UK’s e-waste crisis – commissioned by UNA Watch to coincide with the launch of the Kickstarter – found nearly half of Brits (47%) say they’d rather buy a new device than repair a broken one, while 54% believe manufacturers deliberately make products unrepairable.

The growing Right to Repair movement is pushing back, demanding better, longer-lasting alternatives – and UNA Watch is delivering one.

Founder Lewis Allison, an experienced electronics engineer, said: “The tech industry has normalised disposability – but it doesn’t have to be this way. When a screen cracks or a battery wears out, that shouldn’t mean the end of the device. We’re giving people the power to fix their own tech, saving them money while reducing e-waste.

“Our mission is to challenge the status quo. At present, if your smartwatch breaks, you’re often left with an expensive paperweight. UNA Watch is designed to last – to evolve and adapt with the user, rather than being replaced every couple of years.”

Edinburgh-based UNA Watch has already secured £300,000 in investment from SFC Capital, the backers of well-known UK startups including Fussy and Hope & Glory.

The Kickstarter campaign will help scale production and meet demand, with a direct-to-consumer sales strategy ensuring the best experience for early adopters.

Beyond the consumer market, UNA Watch sees significant potential in B2B applications. Industry customers have expressed interest in customisable smartwatches for specialised uses, such as safety monitoring and fatigue tracking. Looking ahead, the company is also working on an  ‘UNA for Developers’ programme, enabling third-party developers to create custom modules for the platform.

UNA Watch is open to further investment but remains strategic in its approach. A key focus is the US market, where UNA Watch is investing heavily in digital marketing, influencer partnerships, and celebrity endorsements. The company has also been in talks with world-class athletes about potential endorsement deals – a clear sign of the founders ambitions.

Allison added: “Athletes – whether professional or amateur – demand reliability and performance, but they also want choice. We’re working with top-tier runners to ensure UNA Watch meets the highest standards.”

With the global running watch market valued at $2 billion and growing at 5.6% annually, UNA Watch’s research-based projections suggest it could capture around 5% of the market within five years – a target that would translate into $50 million in revenue. The long-term vision extends beyond watches, with plans to develop modular bike computers and adventure wearables.

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