Anarc Smartwatch by Tech Burner – When a Tech YouTuber Turned Smart Tech-preneur:

In the world of Indian consumer tech, few names shine as brightly as Tech Burner, aka Shlok Srivastava. What started as a tech-review YouTube channel with millions of subscribers and millions of views on all major videos and shorts has now evolved into a brand that makes the products people watch him review.

In mid-November 2024, Shlok’s startup Layers launched the Anarc smartwatch, a bold, design-first wearable that aimed to redefine the smartwatch market in India. The journey has been nothing short of cinematic: a record-breaking launch, waves of customer criticism, and a determined comeback through product updates and transparent communication.

Let’s together we learn something good of this crazy journey of Anarc smart watch led by Tech Burner.

From Skins to Smartwatches:

Layers began in 2022 in mid of covid fear when all are inside their homes, with a relatively safe product category custom phone skins and accessories. Within months, the brand had crossed ₹40 crore in revenue, showing that Shlok’s influence could translate into real, large-scale sales.

But the real ambition lay beyond skins. Inspired by global wearable trends and frustrated by the sameness in design among budget smartwatches, Layers envisioned something visually iconic.

Making a Watch Worth Wearing:

Partnering with Big names like Thought Over Design, Mumbai and Seymourpowell, London, Layers created the octagonal Anarc case after rejecting many designs. This wasn’t just another Apple Watch clone it was a distinctive shape that would become its own brand signature.

Key design highlights:

• Octagonal stainless-steel body (medical grade)
• Crown with haptics
• 100+ custom watch faces
• IML back case for premium feel

IP Move:

The most interesting and notable aspect of this product is that the layer team filed a design patent before launch, securing rights over the non-functional appearance of the watch. This is a smart defensive step against copycats & counterfeit avoidance in the market, enabling Patent enforcement rights. Here below is details about their design patent (Source: Indian Patent Office):

Design Number: 421697-001

Article Name: Smartwatch

Publication Date: Aug 23, 2024

Applicant: Layers Electronics Private Limited

The Launch: Breaking Sales Records:

On 15 November 2024, the Anarc smartwatch went live at ₹6,999, significantly above the local budget smartwatch segment, where most models sell under or around ₹2,500.

Yet, the results stunned the market:

• Anarc generated roughly around ₹3–4 crore in sales in 24 hours
• #1 trending launch video on YouTube with over 4 million views
• Massive pre-orders from a loyal Tech Burner fanbase

This wasn’t just a product launch; it was a masterclass in creator-led marketing.

The Technical Backbone:

Beneath the design, the Anarc smartwatch offered:

• 1.85″ AMOLED display (60Hz refresh rate, 700 nits brightness)
• Advanced Hisilicon chipset
• 7-day battery life, up to 30 days standby
• IP68 water resistance
• Bluetooth 5.2/5.3
• On-device music storage
• 100+ workout modes & full health tracking suite

Just like the jaw-dropping twists we see in blockbuster movies right before the interval, Layers experienced a dramatic turning point. Until then, everything seemed to be running smoothly, but this moment marked the true beginning of their real journey.

The Backlash: When Hype Meets Reality:

The honeymoon period didn’t last long. Within weeks, reviews began pointing out:

• Build quality inconsistencies
• Software glitches
• Limited feature optimization
• Customer service delays
• Criticism over imported chipsets despite India-first marketing

Social media was quick to amplify the dissatisfaction of a risky situation for any influencer-backed product.

Facing the Music: The Kaizen Approach:

Many brands retreat when faced with public backlash. Layers didn’t. Instead, Shlok and his team immidiately started to work on:

• Released firmware updates.
• Improved after sales support response times.
• Engaged directly with critical feedback on social platforms.
• Publicly committed to continuous improvement a true Kaizen philosophy.

This willingness to confront problems head-on helped restore trust among early adopters.

The IP Lesson: Secure Before You Sell:

A standout element of the Anarc story not only their crazy journey but also is its intellectual property (IP) foresight at right time:

• Design patent filed pre-launch: Prevents design theft and copycats.
• Consideration of IP as a business asset: Increases brand valuation.
• Proof that securing IP before a public reveal is a hallmark of a smart tech-entrepreneur.

Financial Snapshot:

While Layers hasn’t disclosed long-term revenue from Anarc, the roughly around ₹3–4 crore day-one figure alone speaks volumes. Substantial amountinvestment into R&D, design, and marketing, the smartwatch launch proved profitable from the start.

What Future Techpreneurs Can Learn:

The Anarc smartwatch journey is rich with lessons:

• Leverage personal brand power but ensure product-market fit.
• Secure IP early before marketing begins.
• Accept and address criticism quickly.
• Iterate like Kaizen small, continuous improvements.
• Differentiate through design, not just features.

Anarc: More Than Just a Watch:

The Anarc smartwatch by Tech Burner and Layers team is not simply another gadget it’s a case study in modern Indian tech entrepreneurship. From record breaking launch to public criticism, and from design patent protection to product evolution, Shlok Srivastava has shown that resilience and IP savvy thinking are as crucial as marketing genius.

In closing, the Anarc smartwatch stands as a promising symbol of India’s growing creator-led innovation. If Layers continues its path of improvement, this could be the beginning of a true homegrown smartwatch legacy proving that the Indian creator economy is capable of producing not only viral content but also world-class technology products.