If you need a travel case for your Apple Watch, take a good look at the Smatree SmaShell A100.
A very long time ago, I had a small Ipad Nano with a LunaTik watch strap, and at the time it was about as close as you could get to an Apple Watch, without Apple having actually invented one.
After what seemed like an eternity, Apple finally released the fabled Apple Watch and I have been lucky enough to own a Rose Gold Apple Watch Edition since launch.
Every night it goes on my phone/watch charging stand which is perfect for home charging, but up until now there had been nowhere to store my watch when I wasn’t at home, ie if travelling or camping for example. The original watch box would do a fine job but would get grubby and damaged over time so that want really an option. I had sought out and purchased a crowdfunded watch case which did the job, but wasn’t perfect and didn’t really give me more than some light protection when I wasn’t wearing the watch, and whilst it did allow for charging, it required the mains to do so.
So I was really happy when I saw that Smatree we’re looking into releasing a case for the Apple Watch. They went out to users of the Apple Watch and asked what features they would like in the product, something very few other companies openly do, and in turn they released a product with features that many users really wanted. Portable charging was something requested, as was the ability to charge other USB devices, all in a rugged but stylish case. The users asked, and Smatree came up with the goods, The Smatree SmaShell A100 Apple Watch Charging Case
 
When it arrived, it was instantly recognisable as a Smatree product, the blue and black packaging this time had a window showing the product off too, and it looked great.
As expected, Smatree have all of the required bits in the box, the case itself, a small instruction booklet, a USB to USB mini charging cable and a carabiner. The one exclusion is the Apple Watch charge cable, although to be honest this is a £25 product on its own and an Apple product which no 3rd party seems to produce yet. Any Apple Watch owner would already have one of these cables, so facilitating that would be an issue.
The case looks great, and is stylish whilst remaining functional. Its made of durable PU+EVA and looks great in black with red accents.
Again rather than just making a case, Smatree have put in extra effort that not every other manufacturer goes into. On the rear of the case you will find a micro and standard USB connection. The micro USB port is used to charge the case itself which holds a rechargeable 3000mA battery with an output of 5v @ 1A, which Smatree claims will allow you to fully charge your Apple Watch up to 6 times. The full sized USB port can be used to charge anything else than can be charged via a USB cable, be it your phone or a GoPro. This will of course impact how many times you can charge up your watch before the case itself needs charging, but it’s a nice addition and does give the case itself multiple functionality. At the front of the case are four small LED’s and a button. Depressing the button will illuminate the LED’s to show you the charge state of the case, when all four lights show, it means your case is fully charged, and the lights deplete as the charge level decreases. This is really handy as it means you don’t have to charge this each time you want to use it, as you may have enough charge in it already. There is also a small loop on the rear, so using the included carabiner, you can attach this to say your rucksack or similar if you don’t have the capacity to store this in your actual bag.
Undo the two zips (another nice touch) and you can see where the watch will be charged once the charging cable has be inserted, made of a nice gloss plastic that stands up well to fingerprints, it’s all nicely thought out and is pleasing on the eye.
Removal of the watch charging plate is simple enough, just lift the block and it easily comes away from the case. Here you will see the USB plug that the Apple Watch charging cable will attach to. The charging plate is a two piece affair, removal of the top section will reveal the cable storage space. I am currently using mine with the longest available charge cable at 2 metres long, it fits fine and once the top cover is on you wouldn’t know otherwise. Once the cable has been attached simply pressing the charging plate down into the case so the USB plug lines up, the case is now ready to charge your watch.
In its most basic form, this is of course a watch case, the beauty of this case is that whilst looking good, it actually gives your watch protection from any bumps or scratches it might normally pick up whilst being charged. If like me you have young children wandering around you home, it’s quite possible for them to take interest in your shiny watch and pick it up to take a look whilst it’s charging. At least with this case you could have the watching charging but have it tucked out of the way, and even if it is plug into the mains, it will mean it’s safe if a little person decides to pick it up.
This also means that the case gives real protection whilst travelling. Regardless of whether you are staying in a nice hotel and this case sits on the bedside table, or if you away camping for a weekend, you can be safe in the knowledge that whilst your watch is tucked up in the case, it’s going to be nice and safe.
This case will accommodate the watch with whichever strap you happen to own. I’ve tried it with the Leather Loop, the Classic Buckle and the Sports straps and fit perfectly in the case.
So if you are looking for a watch case, you should definitely give this one a look. Yes there are other cases available on the market, and some may even be a little better looking on your bedside table, but this really isn’t where the Smatree Watch Case really shines. Because of its rugged construction, it’s when travelling that this really comes into its own. Until now, there really hasn’t been another way to keep your watch safe when you’re out in the elements and to be honest there really isn’t anything which does all that this does.
As with all Smatree products, they have chosen a fantastic price point and I can highly recommend this case.
You can order it here from Amazon.co.uk
Jonno's Reviews 