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Make ANY watch a smartwatch: $140 Unique strap adds notifications and contactless payments to everyday timepieces

Strap was designed by Warsaw-based uBirds and is live on Kickstarter
It pairs with a free app available for both iOS and Android devices
Users can tailor alerts and notifications from the app to appear on the strap
Built-in NFC chip also gives users the option to use contactless payments

Published: 09:15 EST, 22 September 2015 | Updated: 10:18 EST, 22 September 2015

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The likes of Apple and Samsung are betting big on their smartwatch range but often the biggest criticism of the devices is how clunky they look.

Now, designers have found a solution that lets you buy a watch that suits your style, but which has the smart functions seen on the more high-tech models.

Called Unique, it is a strap fitted with sensors and LEDs that can be fitted to any watch and can be easily swapped in and out.

The Unique strap (pictured) was designed by Warsaw-based uBirds and is live on Kickstarter. It pairs with a free app, that will be available for both iOS and Android devices, and users can tailor alerts and notifications

The strap was designed by Warsaw-based uBirds and is live on Kickstarter.

It pairs with a free app, that will be available for both iOS and Android devices if the campaign is successfully funded, and users can tailor alerts and notifications.

Other features include fitness tracking sensors and a built-in NFC chip that lets wearers make contactless payments.

UNIQUE'S SMARTWATCH FEATURES

Activity Monitoring: Unique lets wearers track their distance, calories burned, steps and speed.

Notifications: Instantly see information from a paired phone, including phone calls and messages

Gesture Recognition: Unique lets wearers control their smartphone through the watch by tapping or shaking the device.

Loss Prevention: Unique will warn users if their about to leave their phone behind.

NFC: The programmable NFC tag allows any configuration so people can upload business cards, fitness club passes, hotel room keys and more.

'We invented a smart strap that makes your own watch smart, whether it's a luxury timepiece, a family heirloom, or an inexpensive watch you think the world of for sentimental reasons.' said Pawel Karczewski of uBirds.

The smart watch strap is available in leather and is said to be no thicker than a traditional watch strap.

As with smartwatches, the strap links to a dedicated app via Bluetooth where owners can tailor alerts, notifications and functions of the strap to their own personal preference.

This includes rejecting a phone call with a double tap of the strap while in a meeting, or using a movement or gesture to send a pre-written text to someone if the wearer is running late.

'Using discreet LEDs and vibrations as alerts, Unique lets you reject a phone call, monitor your fitness, control your music player, and know if a text's arrived - and if you're about to leave your phone behind, Unique will alert you as you walk away from it' continued Mr Karczewski.

The device uses wireless charging and can run on one charge for up to three days.

Other features include fitness tracking sensors and a built-in NFC chip that lets wearers make contactless payments. Unique also lets wearers control their phone through the watch by tapping or shaking the device

Unique (pictured) is available to 'super early bird' backers for $139 (£89) on Kickstarter. The first 100 backers of the campaign will be able to choose from three colours - light brown, dark brown or black - and receive their watch strap in April 2016

It stores up to five days worth of personal fitness data that can be synced with the app at any time.

Unique is available through Kickstarter to 'super early bird' backers for $139 (£89) who will be the first to receive a Unique strap.

The first 100 backers of the campaign can choose from three colours - light brown, dark brown or black - and should receive their watch strap in April 2016.

There's also the option to customise the strap with a Creator tool.

uBirds is hoping to raise $50,000 (£32,500) through the Kickstarter campaign and the fundraising total currently sits at $635 (£412) with 29 days left to go.