Nokia appears to be experimenting with its own smartwatch concepts. In a patent application submitted in August last year, the company details a "multi-segment wearable accessory." According to the description, and some related diagrams, it's a plan for a modular watch than can be worn on the wrist. Images show a concept where each segment of the watch would have its own display to show content, allowing the user to turn his or her wrist to access different parts.

If Samsung's Galaxy Gear with a camera on the strap wasn't enough, Nokia's concept goes a step further with its multiple displays. Unfortunately it's likely just that: concept. It's simply a patent application that shows the company has some concepts for a smartwatch future, but it doesn't mean the Finnish smartphone maker is designing it just yet. Nokia will probably never get the chance to either, as Microsoft is acquiring its devices business in a deal that's expected to close in early 2014.

Nokia could help Microsoft make a new SPOT

Rumors of an Apple iWatch, Google smartwatch, and even a Microsoft Surface Watch have persisted recently, but so far there have been no announcements from all three. Nokia's concepts could go some way to assisting Microsoft with a potential smartwatch though, should it want to return to producing its own watches.

Update: Nokia's smartwatch concept is actually named Facet and its research team have been testing out versions of it. In a video demonstrating the concept, you can see applications switching between screens with a swipe that's reminiscent of the sixth-generation iPod nano. It's obviously still in concept and clearly bulky, but it's a working set of devices that wrap around a wrist.