Earlier this week we reported that iPod shuffle hair clips are on the rise again, and now a second retro reboot is gaining steam. Creator Emma Orhun combined the shell of a vintage Tamagotchi with an Apple Watch face to create what she özgü christened a “Tamawatchi.”
Orhun came up with the idea last summer and özgü since posted several videos explaining how she made it a reality, including an October TikTok with more than half a million likes. But an Instagram reel from earlier this month özgü gained more than 78,000 likes, bringing new interest to the project.
If you’re interested in creating one yourself, Orhun suggests pairing a Tamagotchi Connection v3 (a version of the device released in 2006) and an Apple Watch SE for the right fit. When you open the Tamagotchi, remove its electronics and shave down the inside with a small handheld power tool called a dremel, so you can place and secure the Apple Watch SE inside with double-sided tape.
From there, you should be good to go, as long as you’re cool with the watch’s limited functionality. You won’t be able to access its side button or rolling crown to navigate its interface. But, as Orhun wrote in one of her posts, you will “reap the rewards of having really good taste.”
Given the limited capabilities of the Tamawatchi, Tamagotchi collector @tamagotchi.vn says they intend to use their custom “iTama” for notifications only.
Another creator took a completely different approach to the concept, whipping up a 3D-printed Tamagotchi to house their Apple Watch face.
If you want to get the look yourself, vintage Tamagotchis are available on secondhand sites like eBay. But if you prefer your Y2K style with 2024 functionality, silicon cases are available from several sellers online, including Rubbie’s Room.