One of the problems with good science fiction is that it introduces us to all kinds of cool devices that we can’t actually have in real life. [Huy Vector] has tried to fix that a little with this fantastic smartwatch build inspired by everybody’s favorite wrist computer from the Fallout series.
The build is based around a Xiao ESP32-S3 board, which hosts the capable microcontroller and has all that useful wireless connectivity built in. It’s hooked up to a MAX30102 heart rate sensor to collect the wearer’s vital signs, as well as a 1.54″ LCD screen for displaying the fantastic Pip Boy themed interface. Power is courtesy of a small lithium-ion cell tucked in behind the display. A little copper tubing and brass hardware helps tie everything together, with the latter serving as capacitive touch points for controlling the device. A simple leather watch strap completes the build.
It’s a bit of a diversion from the classic Pip Boy design, in that it’s a small smartwatch instead of a chunky device that takes up most of the wearer’s forearm. However, this isn’t so bad in reality—it’s far more practical while still rocking those classic green-on-black graphics that we all love so much.
If you’re craving a more authentic Pip Boy recreation, we’ve featured a few of those, too.
I have a tendency to bang my watch on things as I walk by: walls, corners of walls, door knobs, anything.
The lack of enclosure of any kind is a non-starter for me, and I haven’t even mentioned how insanely sweaty I am, nor that I tend to swim, shower, and walk in the rain while wearing my watch.
However I love the copper tubing as capacitive buttons. That is aesthetically pleasing and functional in a cool and fun way. I can imagine it would be easy to allow the copper to extend to the exterior of an enclosure to allow for even a little bit of dust/shock/water resistance.
Super cool project, but for people as clumsy and water-logged as me, rather impractical as it is.
It really needs a case. It wouldn’t take long for me to get it caught on something or get metal shavings inside and short it out.
I think the coating they put is probably fine. But yeah more protection/housing won’t hurt
Now it just needs rad-hardened innards
https://phys.org/news/2026-05-nand-storage-deep-space-missions.html
Battery life is almost certainly terrible. I did a bit of development on the lilygo T-watch 2020 (also uses esp32), and it turned out pretty slick…problem was with bluetooth on, only periodic connection to the phone, and even with aggressive sleep the battery would die in ~6 hours.
Though they do waste a lot of vertical space. With a piece of cardboard inbetween the PCB and the ESP32 with USB-C connector 180° reverted, it would’ve been much smaller.
Cool project but please stop with the searing steak soldering sounds!
Warum nicht einE Seeed NRF52 Basis?
Besitzt auch Bluetooth und ist mit einer Vielzahl von Anschlussmöglichkeiten unter anderem I2c ausgestattet.
Der Energieverbrauch liegt ca 8-10 Fach geringer als bei ESP32.
Very cool. All that is missing is a nuclear power source… oh, and a geiger counter.