The forecast is perfect—84 degrees, mostly sunny with only a 2% chance of precipitation. The beach chair is unfolded, the paperback is starting to get good and I'm ready to swap my pasty winter-white skin for a bronze glow.

Except the UV-tracking jewel on my bracelet keeps forcing my iPhone to disrupt my favorite sedentary sport. "Apply SPF 15," my phone flashes after a loud chime. "The UV Index has hit 7," it says moments later. Just like my parents at the community pool years ago, the pair keep interrupting the fun to remind me to reapply sunscreen.

The $99 Bluetooth-equipped Netatmo June, which hits store shelves next week, aims to make people—specifically, fashion-conscious women—more aware of their skin's sun exposure. "Seriously? There's a gadget to tell us the sun is out?" I can hear you asking. "Haven't our eyeballs done a great job of that since the beginning of time, no wireless connection needed?"

I had the same healthy skepticism. In fact, when the June was first announced, I was more attracted to the concept of electronics disguised as jewelry than I was to its particular protective features. Though this product is the first smart wearable of its kind, you can buy less sophisticated, less attractive portable UV meters on Amazon for as little as $25.

But while the bracelet has many faults, wearing it has made me more aware of how much the sun is beating down on me—especially when it is windy or chilly outside—and that I need to be much better about slathering on the sunscreen.