• Michael from Gizmocrowd
• Apr 23, 2025
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UNA: The First Modular GPS Sports Watch That Evolves with You

UNA is rewriting the rules of wearable tech. Designed to be repairable, upgradable, and open to developers, it’s the first modular GPS sports watch built to last—not just a few years, but potentially a lifetime.

Born from a moment of frustration and guided by a clear mission for sustainability, user control, and performance, UNA empowers athletes, adventurers, and developers to adapt their gear—not replace it. Whether you’re tracking ultra-marathons or building custom sensor modules, UNA is your watch, your way.

We spoke to the UNA team to understand the bold thinking behind its design—from hardware swappability and open SDK access to the environmental impact of truly durable tech.

The Vision Behind UNA’s Modular Design

Most GPS sports watches become obsolete or end up in landfills after just a few years. What inspired you to create UNA, and how does its repairable and upgradable architecture address both environmental and consumer needs?

It all started when my wife’s smartwatch broke just two days after she bought it. The repair cost was so high it was more economical to replace it. That moment really brought home just how disposable tech has become. With UNA, I wanted to flip that model on its head. Our modular design gives users the ability to replace or upgrade key components—like the battery, screen or sensors—without discarding the entire device. It’s a solution that makes sense both environmentally and economically. Indeed, we’re not just building a watch; we’re building a product that grows with you and keeps e-waste out of landfills.

Built to Evolve with the User

UNA isn’t just modular—it’s designed to grow with its users. From swapping batteries to adding new sensors, how does UNA empower wearers to adapt their device over time without needing to buy a new one?

UNA is designed to evolve. As new health tracking technology becomes available, users won’t need to buy a new watch—they can simply swap in a new sensor module. If your battery starts to fade, you replace just the battery. Want a better display in the future? No problem. Everything’s designed to be user-replaceable with a simple tool. That’s the core idea: empowering people to take ownership of their tech, instead of being locked into an upgrade treadmill.

Seamless Tracking for Performance and Health

With features like dual-frequency GPS, SpO₂, heart rate monitoring, and a 10-day battery, how does UNA ensure reliable and comprehensive tracking for runners, hikers, and cyclists across all terrains?

We’ve packed UNA with high-performance hardware. It includes dual-frequency GPS for precision in dense environments, optical heart rate sensors, SpO₂ tracking, and an accelerometer and altimeter to support multi-sport tracking. But it’s not just about the hardware. We’ve built our firmware and app to be flexible and performance-focused. With up to 10 days of battery life and 20 hours in full GPS mode, UNA is built to last your longest sessions and harshest conditions, whether you’re trail running in the Highlands or cycling through city streets.

A Community-Driven Platform for Developers

With its SDK and HDK, UNA supports custom apps and hardware modules. Why was it important to make UNA a developer-friendly platform, and what kind of innovations do you hope the community will bring to the table?

We’ve seen how powerful open ecosystems can be—just look at what’s happened in smartphones and laptops. With UNA, we wanted to give developers the same opportunity to innovate in wearables. Our SDK and HDK let creators build custom apps or even entirely new hardware modules. Whether it’s a hydration sensor for ultra-marathoners or safety tracking for lone workers, the possibilities are wide open. We’re creating a platform, not just a product—and that’s where the magic happens.

Sustainability, Longevity, and the Future of Wearables

UNA was born from a personal experience of tech waste. How does your approach to modular design, USB-C charging, and component longevity reflect your broader mission for sustainable and user-first technology?

It’s about putting control back in the hands of users. USB-C might sound small, but it means one less proprietary cable, one less frustration. Our modular architecture means you don’t need to throw away your device because of a single fault. What’s more, we’ve chosen materials and components that are designed to last. Every decision—big or small—was guided by a mission to fight planned obsolescence and design products that people can trust, repair, and keep using for years. That’s what sustainable tech should look like.

Thanks to the UNA Watch team for showing what wearable tech can be when it’s built for people—not planned obsolescence. With its modular architecture, long-lasting performance, and open developer ecosystem, UNA isn’t just a new kind of GPS watch—it’s a movement toward smarter, longer-living technology.

Meet UNA – The Modular GPS Sports Watch

About UNA Watch

UNA Watch was founded in Edinburgh, Scotland, with a mission to end throwaway tech. After a smartwatch failure turned personal, the team set out to build something radically different. They designed a GPS sports watch that’s modular, repairable, and future-ready. UNA empowers users to swap, upgrade, and adapt. It created a device that keeps pace with both innovation and real-life wear and tear.