Sony has confirmed its involvement in the development of an e-ink-powered smartwatch dubbed FES Watch or Fashion Entertainments Watch.

The Japanese electronics giant has a startup project in development "where it is studying how electronic paper can be used to make fashion products," a Sony spokesman said.

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For months, Sony's name has been kept under wraps as part of its strategy to test the public's interest on the product, Mashable reported.

"We hid Sony's name because we wanted to test the real value of the product, whether there will be demand for our concept," said one of the project's coordinators.

Last September, the FES watch was launched on Makuake.com, a Japanese crowdfunding site, and it successfully surpassed its initial goal of US$17,000 (2 million yen) in three weeks.

The FES watch is shaped like a traditional wristwatch. The wristband, however, is made from electronic paper and comes with 24 design patterns. FES weighs 50.6 grams; its dial is 1.5 inches (4 cm) in diameter and the case is 0.2 inches (7 mm) thick.

The gadget's battery is expected to last up to 60 days, according to the project's campaign page.

Sony is selling the FES watch for around US$167 on Makuake. FES is scheduled to ship internationally in May 2015.

Sony, however, hasn't released an official statement regarding the FES watch or whether the device will be made widely available as a commercial product.

Tagssony, E-paper watch, FES, e-ink smartwatch, smartwatch