https://github.com/fbiego/chronos-watchy
Alternative BLE firmware for Watchy (Open Source E-Ink smartwatch)
https://github.com/fbiego/chronos-watchy
ble chronos e-ink esp32 lvgl smart-watch watchy
Last synced: 2 months ago
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Alternative BLE firmware for Watchy (Open Source E-Ink smartwatch)
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/fbiego/chronos-watchy
- Owner: fbiego
- License: mit
- Created: 2025-10-20T12:01:20.000Z (8 months ago)
- Default Branch: master
- Last Pushed: 2026-04-16T07:55:07.000Z (2 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2026-04-16T09:37:23.058Z (2 months ago)
- Topics: ble, chronos, e-ink, esp32, lvgl, smart-watch, watchy
- Language: C
- Homepage: https://chronos.ke/watchy
- Size: 3.86 MB
- Stars: 33
- Watchers: 3
- Forks: 2
- Open Issues: 1
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE
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README
# Chronos Watchy
**Chronos-Watchy** is an **alternative firmware** for the **Watchy open-source e-ink smartwatch**, built with **LVGL** and designed to connect seamlessly with the [`Chronos App`](https://chronos.ke/), a modern companion app for smartwatch users.
> ⚠️ This firmware is currently compatible with **Watchy v2.0**.
> Tested successfully on an **AliExpress clone** with **USB Type-C**.
## Screen Previews
## Features
* 📱 **BLE Connectivity**: Syncs directly with the **Chronos App**
* 🕓 **Default Watchface**: Displays time, phone battery, and last sync time
* 🧭 **Navigation**: Turn-by-turn directions from Google Maps or OSMAnd
* 🔔 **Notifications**: Receive app notifications from your phone
* 👣 **Activity Tracking**: Steps with distance, and calorie estimation (+ historical data)
* 🌤️ **Weather Updates**: Synced from Chronos App
* 🌙 **Sleep Mode**: Controlled from the Chronos App; reduces power usage
* ⚙️ **Settings Menu**: Customize connection interval and view configs
* 📷 **Pairing via QR Code**: Quick setup with the Chronos App
* 🎶 **Controls**: Camera, Music, Find Phone controls (Only when connected)
* 🔗 **QR Code Links**: Save QR Code links on Watchy
* 📞 **Contacts**: Save contact info on Watchy
* 🕹️ **Multiple Watchface**: Installable at runtime via BLE, [`Watchy Faces`](https://github.com/fbiego/watchy_faces)
## Planned / To-Do
* ⚡ Non-blocking operations (BLE & storage handled in background tasks)
* ✋ Raise-to-wake gesture
* 👆 Double-tap to wake
* ⏰ Alarm and reminder system
* 🌍 Multi-language support
## Flashing the Firmware
### Option 1: Use Prebuilt Firmware (Recommended)
#### a. https://chronos.ke/watchy#install
Just connect and flash firmware directly
#### b. https://espressif.github.io/esptool-js/
Prebuilt binaries are included in the `firmware/` directory, ready to flash, no build required.
You can use the **browser-based ESP flasher** provided by Espressif:
[**Flash Chronos Watchy via Web here**](https://espressif.github.io/esptool-js/)
1. Open the link above in **Chrome**
2. Connect your Watchy via USB
3. Click **Connect** under Program then select the correct serial port
4. Select the prebuilt `.bin` files from the `firmware/` folder, use the correct address as indicated in the file name
5. After flashing, your Watchy will automatically boot into Chronos-Watchy
> You may need to connect to the **Console**, then click **Reset**
### Option 2: Build Manually with PlatformIO
1. Install [PlatformIO](https://platformio.org/install)
2. Clone this repository:
```bash
git clone https://github.com/fbiego/chronos-watchy.git
cd chronos-watchy
```
3. Build the firmware:
```bash
pio run
```
4. Flash to the watch:
```bash
pio run -t upload
```
## App Setup Guide
[`Chronos App`](https://chronos.ke/)
### Connecting / Pairing
1. Open the **Chronos App → Watch tab → Watches → Pair new device**
2. On Watchy, open the **Pairing screen**
3. Choose the device from the app’s list (or tap **Search again**)
4. Alternatively, select **Manual** to enter the MAC address or **Scan QR code** displayed on Watchy
### Configuration
* **Time Format** -> 12h / 24h
* **Temperature** -> °C / °F
* **Units** -> Metric / Imperial
Under the **User** tab:
* Set your **age, height, and weight** (used for calorie and distance estimation)
* Configure **Sleep Time**, during which Watchy enters deep sleep until wakeup
### Weather Setup
1. Go to **Settings → Weather Update**
2. Tap the ⚙️ **gear icon**
3. Enable **weather updates**
4. Choose **Use GPS** or manually enter your city, then click **Check**
5. If successful, click **Save**
### Notifications
1. In the **Notifications tab**, enable access using **Notification Access**
2. Tap **Self Test** to verify Chronos can read notifications
3. Select **Apps** and choose which apps can send alerts to Watchy
### Navigation
1. In the **Watch tab**, scroll down to **ESP32 Manager**
2. Enable **Navigation** for your Watchy device
3. (Optional) Adjust **icon dither mode** and **threshold** for icon clarity
4. Open **Navigation screen** on Watchy
* If BLE is disconnected, tap the rotating ⚙️ icon to restart
5. Open **Google Maps** or **OsmAnd** and start navigation
* Directions will appear on your Watchy in real time
> ⚠️ Note: Navigation keeps BLE active continuously, which increases battery drain.
### Advanced Settings
* **App Sleep**: Prevents the app from trying to reconnect while Watchy is in sleep mode
* **Notification Buffer**: Stores and forwards notifications to Watchy when BLE reconnects
## Credits
* **Official Watchy Firmware**: Based on the open-source [Watchy project](https://watchy.sqfmi.com/) and its [firmware repository](https://github.com/sqfmi/Watchy)
* **Chronos ESP32 Library**: Provides seamless smartwatch connectivity with the Chronos app. [GitHub](https://github.com/fbiego/chronos-esp32)
* **Chronos App**: Companion app for smartwatch sync and notifications. [Website](https://chronos.ke/)
* **LVGL**: Powerful open-source embedded graphics library. [Website](https://lvgl.io/)
* **LVGL Pro**: Used for UI design and layout. [Website](https://pro.lvgl.io/)
* **Watchy Faces**: Watchfaces for the Chronos Watchy firmware. [Github](https://github.com/fbiego/watchy_faces)