1/30/2026 - Project Outline: Brainstorming

I have previously built a watch, however it sort of failed miserably. Like look how fat it is:

So yeah. This is going to be a complete redesign, Mk2 watch, completely leveled up.

Last time, other than a watch, I had:

1. Wifi
2. Bluetooth
3. GNSS (GPS)
4. LCD
5. Touch
6. Buzzer
7. 1x Push Button
8. A really Ugly Case.

This time, we are going to have an aboslutely stacked watch

With:
([ac] being almost certainly)

1. Wifi [maybe: probably not]
2. Bluetooth [maybe]
3. 2xGNSS (GPS + GLONASS [ac] + BD [ac])
4. LTE (I know this is big!!)
5. E-INK Main Display
6. 2x OLED/TFT Folding Display (more to come about this)
7. IMU (Hopefully 9-axis) [ac]

I am including research I have been doing. To this point I've spent around 25~30 hours, that I will only log a small part of. (This message will also be repeated on retroactive journals)

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1.5 hrs

2/1/2026 - Screens! Screens! Come get your Screens! || retro_journal ||

As if there weren't a sufficient amount of screens in the title, and for some reason your brain just couldn't keep up, yes, in fact, I am talking about screens. And, as the title that you definitely read suggests, this is a retroactive journal. Couldn't fit the entire thing because I'm already at 60 chars, y'know, and I am not allowed more than that.

My first ideas

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So I was originally thinking that I would have a setup like my original watch, with a board for the screen.

It would be like this one.

But in the interest of not making my watch as fat as the last one, I can't really use such a thick display, especially considering the back side.

That white part is actually quite thick.

Ok, so then you ask, how about just a plane panel? Well I researched those, quite a bit, and the final version will have something related to that. I don't quite want to spoil my vision yet, but believe me it's gonna be sick!

Here's a hint:

Anyways,

My new idea

After seeing the watch featured on blueprint's page (sandgum's ES_01), I have seriously considered using an E-ink display. In this setup, the watch would only update the minutes once every 5 or so, and the seconds would only update on request. This way, we don't wear down the E-INK too much. I might have a tiny oled to take care of the seconds/precise minutes, or I might just bite the bullet and replace my displays frequent-ish-ly.

Another Idea (but it's gonna be hard)

So I was also thinking that I could have an E-INK base, plus a clear OLED to show other stuff on command, but I can't find any modules (after a significant search) that also have built in touch panels, so...

ok
i

i
have
to
tell you something.

Its about ChatGPT.
We all know its a failure.
but.
but i still asked it for help.
I asked it to find me the display I wanted.
and it left me speechless

like really, speechless.

Chat has litterally never impressed me.
And out of the blue, it just worked.
it worked.
IT WORKED!!!

ChatGPT actually found me a display.
IT ACTUALLY FOUND ME A DISPLAY!

Here's the link! https://www.smartdisplaytech.com/transparent-display-oled-screen.html

So yeah. I guess I already revealed my entire plan. I'm going to have a double display, with the E-INK under, and the OLED on top.

Ideally, I'd also have a full-colour display, such as the https://www.waveshare.com/product/1.54inch-lcd-module.htm, or the https://www.waveshare.com/product/1.69inch-lcd-module.htm

hmm.. i'll need to find touch displays for them. Well anyways, even thought this was supposed to be a retroactive journal, this turned out to also include a lot of work from today! In reality, I've spent like 15 hours on looking for displays, but I only really remember like 5~7 hours of it, so well that's how much I'm recording

P.S

Also, I really wanted to make something look like this board: https://www.waveshare.com/esp32-s3-touch-amoled-2.06.htm?sku=31957

here's its schematic. Maybe I'll use it...

https://files.waveshare.com/wiki/ESP32-S3-Touch-AMOLED-2.06/ESP32-S3-Touch-AMOLED-2.06.pdf

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5.8 hrs