The best Watchy case for most owners is a resin or PETG print of a community design like Flipped Chamfer or Slim. If you want something that feels like a finished product, the CNC anodized aluminum case from SQFMI is the premium pick when it is in stock. This list covers both, plus how to swap a case without hurting the battery.
Check your Watchy revision first
Watchy is an open source e-paper watch built around an ESP32. SQFMI has released several board revisions. Button positions, the USB port and board details can differ between them, so a case drawn for one revision is not guaranteed to fit another.
Before you print or buy anything, find your revision on the back of the PCB. Then confirm that the case file or listing names that revision.
| What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Board revision (V1, V2, V3) | Cutouts and internal clearances change between revisions |
| USB port position | A blocked port means you open the case every time you charge |
| Button count and spacing | All four side buttons need clean plunger alignment |
| Strap width | Lug spacing varies by design, so measure your strap |
| Battery pocket depth | A tight pocket can pinch or puncture the LiPo |
The 6 best Watchy cases
1. Stock SQFMI case
The kit ships with a basic 3D printed case. It fits, the buttons work, and it costs you nothing extra. It looks chunky on smaller wrists. Keep it as your fallback while you test other designs.
2. SQFMI CNC anodized aluminum case
This is the upgrade for people who wear Watchy every day. The aluminum body is CNC machined and then anodized, and it has been offered in several colors, purple among them. It feels solid and resists scratches far better than any print.
There is one catch. SQFMI has sold it through group buys, so it is often listed as sold out. Check the accessories page on the SQFMI store and join the next run if you see one.
3. Flipped Chamfer by demseyk
This design took first place in the official Watchy Case Design Contest. Angled edges make the watch look thinner than it really is. It prints well in resin, and the chamfers hide layer lines on FDM prints.
4. Slim by BraininaBowl
Slim came second in the contest. It trims bulk wherever the board allows, which makes it the best choice for small wrists or for wearing under a shirt cuff. Expect tighter tolerances, so print a test piece first.
5. Peechy by Optogram
Peechy placed third. It has softer, rounder lines than the other two and suits a casual look. It is a good one to try in a colored PETG.
| Contest place | Design | Designer | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Flipped Chamfer | demseyk | Clean, modern look |
| Second | Slim | BraininaBowl | Small wrists, low profile |
| Third | Peechy | Optogram | Rounded, casual style |
6. Remix your own
The Watchy hardware files are open source, and community case designs are collected on GitHub. You can pull a design into your CAD tool and adjust the strap lugs or button holes. Changing the window size around the 1.54-inch display is easy too. Since e-paper only draws power when it refreshes, a bigger window costs you nothing in battery life. That is one big reason Watchy uses e-paper and not a liquid crystal display (LCD).
Which material to print in
| Material | Strength | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | Fair | Good | Softens in a hot car |
| PETG | Good | Fair | Better heat and impact resistance |
| Standard resin | Fair | Excellent | Sharpest edges, can be brittle |
| Tough resin | Good | Excellent | Best printed option for daily wear |
| TPU | Flexible | Fair | Bumper sleeves only, not full bodies |
How to swap your case
Case swap
- Let the battery run low, then unplug USB.
- Remove the back screws and lift the board straight out.
- Unclip the battery and vibration motor leads if the design needs it.
- Seat the board and check that every button clicks.
- Lay the battery flat with no folded wires.
- Close the case and tighten the screws gently.
Power check
Watchy runs on a small LiPo cell. Never force a lid shut over a bulging or pinched battery, because a punctured LiPo can catch fire.
Maker tip
Print the buttons in the same orientation as the case walls. They slide much more smoothly that way and you skip a round of sanding.
You do not need a soldering iron for any of these swaps. The battery and motor use small connectors or pass through without being touched.
FAQ
Do Watchy cases fit every revision?
No. Many designs target one revision. Match the case to the revision printed on your PCB before you print or buy.
Is the aluminum case worth it?
Yes, if you wear Watchy daily. It is tougher and feels like a real product. A resin print is the better value if you like to try new styles often.
Can I print a Watchy case on a cheap FDM printer?
Yes. Use a 0.4 mm nozzle and fine layers, and print a button test first. Resin gives crisper chamfers, but FDM in PETG works fine.
Where do I find community designs?
Look in the community case collection on GitHub and the case contest entries. The Watchy subreddit also discusses printable cases often.
