One of the most interesting products I’ve seen out of Sony in some time is their e-ink FES Watch. For those curious about the watches look and functionality, you can take a look at my hands on video from CES. In short, the watch acts as a hybrid between a smartwatch (in that it’s purely digital) and a traditional watch (in that it has no connected capabilities) while incorporating a display that allows it to last for three weeks.

I suspected that Sony’s aim here wasn’t to entice those who are eager to see new updates and functionality come to Android Wear and instead, was meant to attract those who have a passion for tech and fashion. After all, the FES Watch is like nothing anyone’s ever seen before and wearing it alone is sure to attract attention and conversation. Hopefully as a sign of having too many other products to talk about at IFA next week, Sony has unveiled a successor, the FES Watch U.

So what’s changed this time around? Unlike its predecessor, the FES Watch U actually has connected functionality to your phone, albeit a very limited one. Previously cycling through different watch faces meant pushing a button directly on the watch, but now thanks to the iOS-only app, you’ll easily be able to preview and change the watch/band face designs directly from your phone. After all, because the FES Watch U bands incorporate an e-ink display as well, even that design can be easily changed.

Sony has said that the FES Watch U will ship with 12 different watch faces and band designs though it can hold up to 24, opening up the possibility for more designs to come from Sony and perhaps even developers in the future.

If this piques your interest, hopefully you reside in Japan because that’s where it will be sold exclusively, assuming it can pass its goals by October 7th through First Flight, Sony’s crowdfunding site.

Discuss:

Does the FES Watch U interest you or do you prefer a true Android Wear watch?

[Via Sony]