> At a Glance
> – Cambridge Consultants unveiled “Ouroboros,” a user-repairable smartwatch concept
> – The design keeps waterproofing intact while letting owners swap the battery in seconds
> – Built on Garmin Fenix 7 internals to prove real-world feasibility
> – Why it matters: Right-to-repair laws are spreading; consumers want longer-lasting gadgets
A British deep-tech firm just handed wearable-makers a blueprint for guilt-free upgrades. At CES 2026, Cambridge Consultants showed Ethan R. Coleman a working proof-of-concept that proves repairability doesn’t have to mean bulky or ugly.
How Ouroboros Works
The team tore down a Garmin Fenix 7 and re-stacked every component so the battery sits directly under a hinged back cover. One thumb flick opens the seal, yet the watch still survives swims and showers.
Key tweaks:
- Tool-free battery swap in under a minute
- Test pins under the battery let technicians diagnose faults without full disassembly
- Original screen, sensors and charging ring untouched-only the guts were rearranged
Why Big Brands Still Resist
Matt White, head of sustainable design at Cambridge Consultants, says the excuse that “small equals unfixable” no longer holds.
> “Consumers are expecting more from brands with regard to sustainability.”
He stresses that keeping devices alive-via repair or refurbishment-slashes e-waste and the need to mine fresh minerals.
Google’s Pixel Watch 4 already moved in this direction, yet most wearables remain sealed black boxes. Ouroboros aims to nudge the rest of the industry before regulators force their hand.
Key Takeaways
- Right-to-repair legislation is live in multiple regions; design-for-repair is becoming law, not PR
- A sports-ready, waterproof smartwatch can be owner-serviceable without aesthetic compromise
- Cambridge Consultants used an existing Garmin platform to keep the concept grounded in today’s supply chain
- Longer-lasting gadgets cut both environmental damage and consumer frustration
The message from Las Vegas is simple: if a consultancy can retrofit repairability into an already-shipping watch, multinationals have run out of excuses.
