Smartwatches may have made strides in the looks department, but let's face it: They still don't have anywhere near the timeless craftsmanship of a traditional luxury analog watch. And if you own both, you're stuck playing favorites for the day, choosing between brains and beauty. The new Smartlet watch band claims to offer the best of both worlds by letting you wear the two on the same wrist, simultaneously, with one on top of the other. 

When the Paris-based startup first announced Smartlet at the 2026 CES in Las Vegas, it felt like an awkward solution to a niche problem. But after seeing it up close on the show floor and spending some hands-on time with it, the concept feels less out there than we initially thought. While still niche and not without its flaws, the setup makes sense for anyone who loves a classic watch but doesn't want to give up the health-tracking benefits, notifications or mobile payment options of a smartwatch .

The stainless steel strap starts at $400, while the titanium version can go up to $700. The straps don't include a smartwatch or a mechanical watch.

What you're really buying is the modular strap system, which is compatible with most major smartwatches and fitness trackers, including Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Google Pixel Watch, Garmin models, Fitbit Charge devices and Whoop. On the analog side, it supports watches with lug widths from 18 to 24 mm, which includes high-end models from brands such as Omega, Tudor, TAG Heuer and Rolex.

The idea comes from the founder, David Ohayon, who says he was tired of having to choose between his analog and Apple Watch every morning. Smartlet, in theory, lets you toggle from fitness nerd to polished executive with the flick of a wrist. In practice, at least in early hands-on demos, it skews more clever than awkward.

Our CNET social producer, Tara Brown, who tested the band on the CES showroom floor, said it felt much lighter than expected, despite having two devices on one wrist. Smartlet says it intentionally designed the strap side to be ultralight to offset the added hardware and that it only adds between 9mm and 12mm of height to the underside of the wrist once a connected device is attached.

Yet as someone who already manages to scratch watches without even trying, the idea of strapping a second device to the underside of my wrist, where it regularly comes in contact with desks, armrests and tabletops, sounds like a dangerous gamble. I would, however, be much more inclined to pair my (nonexistent) Rolex with a screen-less tracker to get all the health tracking benefits without worrying about damaging the watch underneath. The Whoop 5 for example, integrates directly into the metal clasp of the Smartlet and effectively disappears into the band.

There's also the aesthetic. Smartlet is clearly aimed at what it calls the "modern gentleman," with marketing language that leans heavily into luxury watch culture and phrases like "from the boardroom to the weekend." Translation: This is a watch for wealthy men who want to show off their investment piece without sacrificing their gym gain tracking.

And while it may not be the most practical (or budget-friendly) solution for most people, Smartlet is one of those highly niche, standout products that had us doing a double take at this year's CES.