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Here’s a little hack that turns a cheap watch into something pretty cool and useful. It’s primarily based around the super cheap $9 Casio MQ24 series of watches, adding a microSD card to the watch internals, and an NFC tag to the strap. Both additions are water resistant by design, and are completely inconspicuous.
As someone who loves minimalism, these add-ons are very welcome, and they definitely beat having extra junk like NFC rings/wristbands and memory card storage.
It allows you to carry a backup of your important files with you at all times. The NFC tag has multiple potential uses, like storing your bitcoin wallet address, being a key to unlock your android phone/tablet, enabling building access, or other variation of tap to use/pay stuff.
Eat your heart out Apple Watch!
PHOTOS (HOW-TO PHOTOS BELOW)
- All the parts
- Back removed showing internal MicroSD
- Super stealth NFC tag on strap
- Tap to scan
PARTS/MATERIALS (~$10)
- Casio MQ24 watch (others probably work fine)
- NFC Tag (here’s the one I used [LINK])
- MicroSD card
- Thin foam sheet (optional)
TOOLS
- Flat head screwdriver (or any thin prising implement)
- Craft knife (optional)
HOW-TO GUIDE
Step 1. Use the screwdriver or another flat tool to pop off the back of the watch. [VIEW PHOTO] The cool thing about the MG24 is that no screws are used, so potentially you could just use your nails (if long enough). Note: Opening the watch will break the waterproof seal. From this point on, consider the watch water resistant (i.e. to spray or sweat), but not fully waterproof if you submerge it.
Step 2. Cut out a foam insert for microsd [VIEW PHOTO]
Step 3. Place the new insert and card into the back of the watch and pop the casing back on. [VIEW PHOTO]
Step 4. Take the NFC tag and place it face down on this part of the strap [VIEW PHOTO]. I tried multiple positions and near the buckle ended up being the best for two reasons; it is away from the metal interfering with the tag, and secondly because when you put your watch on, the tag is completely hidden by the rest of the strap.
Step 5. Use black tape to secure the tag in position [VIEW PHOTO]
Step 6. All done. Now you can scan with the bottom of your wrist!
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BY CHRIS ROBINSON