Turn Your Old Apple Watch Into A Desk Clock With This 3D-Printed Case

There quickly comes a time when everything new becomes old, something that can be seen with early models of the Apple Watch. While Apple's little wrist computer was the darling of the tech world, it's now simply another offering in the company's extensive catalog of products. That said, the latest Apple Watch is still fantastic, but those older models are now showing their age. 

These older devices are often being used as hand-me-downs and take up space in junk drawers full of dead tech. And while buying an older Apple Watch might not be a good investment, for those who already own one, there are ways to take advantage of it. You can breathe new life into the ageing device and make it a highly usable part of your daily life.

That's where some ingenious designers come into the picture, using 3D printing to turn that old Apple Watch into something modern. There exist projects like the Apple Watch Case by Offline Designs, inspired by the failed Rabbit R1. This case turns your old Apple Watch into an incredibly usable device that may just become the cornerstone of your modern workspace.

The case itself encourages what the makers call a phone-light lifestyle. You can now use that older Apple Watch to handle your text messages, calls, notifications, and more. It turns that ageing smartwatch into your modern standalone personal companion.

And there are lots of other options for those wanting a different look and feel. The WatchDock from ArtK is a great way to give new life to your old Apple Watch, taking advantage of a more minimalist design that's great for the office or the bedside table. You also have ingenious designs from the likes of HiloDude that essentially un-tether your Apple Watch and turn it into a small phone.

For those without access to a 3D printer, a number of these types of companion cases are available from sites such as Etsy. These are just a few clever uses for your old Apple Watch, but you can go further with professionally manufactured cases that turn it into an iPod on steroids. With all of these, you can help keep older tech alive and out of the local landfill, while waiting for the upcoming Apple Watch Series 12.