Apple Watch: 2015 to 2025.
Technically it was announced in 2014, so it’s a little over ten years.
Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

For the 10th anniversary of its launch, we compiled over a decade of Apple Watch history into a quick timeline. Starting with the original three collections — including models in solid 18 karat gold — all the way to today’s far more advanced (and sensible) Apple Watch Series 10 and Ultra 2.

The Apple Watch was the first major product introduction of Tim Cook’s reign as Apple CEO. There was immense pressure on Apple to prove that it could still innovate without Steve Jobs. While the Apple Watch wasn’t as flashy as the iPhone and iPad, it’s grown into an incredible business rife with breakthrough technology, in one of the most physically constrained form factors yet.

Apple Watch timeline: 10 years of Apple Watch history

Click here or in the video player below to see the evolution of Apple Watch:

Since its debut in 2015, the Apple Watch has transformed from a stylish wrist accessory into a powerful health, fitness, and communication tool. In the last 10 years, Apple has released 15 different generations, including the latest Series 10, and sold more than 100 million units. In that time, Apple Watch has come to define what to expect from wearable technology. It’s gone through several design changes, gained a lot of new features, and become central to many people’s’ digital lives. From its humble beginnings to becoming the world’s most popular smartwatch, the Apple Watch’s history is a fascinating look at Apple’s relentless innovation.

Apple Watch is announced (2014)
Tim Cook on stage after revealing Apple WatchThe Apple Watch was revealed after the iPhone 6 in September, 2014.
Photo: Apple

  • September 9, 2014: Apple Watch introduced.
    • Apple Watch uses motion to activate the display when you raise your wrist.
    • The Digital Crown lets you zoom in and out, precisely adjust on-screen controls and also works as the Home button. (Remember Home buttons?)
    • Glances are a row of screens below the clock that let you quickly see information from apps.
    • Click the side button to see a list of contacts.
    • Digital Touch lets you draw, tap and send your heartbeat to friends.
    • The display detects force; you can force-touch the screen to bring up context-specific controls.
    • The Taptic Engine provides haptic feedback.
    • The charger attaches magnetically without any pins.
    • It comes with six watch bands.
    • Two sizes are available: 38mm and 42mm.
    • Three “collections” are the steel Apple Watch, aluminum Apple Watch Sport and solid gold Apple Watch Edition.

Apple Watch Series 1 goes on sale, watchOS 2 is the first major update (2015)
Original Apple Watch modelsAluminum, stainless steel and solid gold.
Photo: Apple

  • April 24, 2015: The Apple Watch officially launches.
  • June 8, 2015: Apple announces watchOS 2.
    • New watch faces.
    • Third-party apps can create complications.
    • Time Travel lets you spin the Digital Crown to show future info on your complications.
    • Apple Maps offers transit information.
  • September 9, 2015

Series 2 and watchOS 3 brings much-needed updates (2016)
Apple Watch Series 2Apple Watch Series 2 was water resistant for the first time.
Photo: Apple

  • June 13, 2016: watchOS 3.
    • Apps launch faster.
    • The side button now brings up a Dock of pinned apps.
    • Write replies using Scribble, drawing one character at a time.
    • The Breathe app helps you meditate.
  • September 9, 2016: Apple Watch Series 2.
    • Apple Watch Series 2 is water resistant up to 50 meters, with new swimming workouts.
    • The S2 dual-core processor is more powerful.
    • The display is twice as bright.
    • All models have built-in GPS.
    • A new ceramic model replaces the solid gold models.
    • Apple Watch Nike+ comes with special sport bands and custom faces.
    • The previous model was updated with the same new S2 SiP, and retroactively called “Series 1” — leading to some people calling the original Apple Watch the “Series 0.”

Apple Watch Series 3 goes cellular (2017)
Apple Watch Series 3Apple Watch Series 3 could make phone calls.
Photo: Apple

  • June 5, 2017: watchOS 4 alerts you if your heart rate is high and you’re not active — the first of many important life-saving features.
  • September 14, 2017: Apple Watch Series 3
    • A new cellular model can make and receive calls all by itself in the same case size.
    • Siri can talk.
    • It has a faster processor and Wi-Fi.
    • A barometric altimeter can track your elevation.
    • A new Sport Loop is a lightweight Velcro band.
    • The ceramic model now comes in gray.

Apple Watch Series 4 goes full screen (2018)
apple watch series 4The stunning display is over 30% larger with thinner borders and curved corners.
Photo: Apple

  • September 12, 2018: Apple Watch Series 4
    • The screen measures more 30% larger, pushed to the edges.
    • The larger screen allows for new faces and complications.
    • The Digital Crown utilizes haptic feedback.
    • The back is now entirely black ceramic and sapphire crystal.
    • The processor is 64-bit and twice as fast.
    • Fall detection can call emergency services when you take a tumble.
    • You’ll be notified if your heart rate is too low or if you have possible atrial fibrillation.
    • You can take an ECG in just 15 seconds by touching the Digital Crown.
    • A new gold stainless finish mimics the former Apple Watch Edition for much less money.

Series 5 tells time, all the time (2019)
Apple-Watch-Series-5-colorsFeaturing the first always-on display.
Photo: Apple

  • September 10, 2019: Apple Watch Series 5
    • The display is now always-on.
    • A built-in compass helps navigation.
    • New brushed titanium models join aluminum, polished stainless steel and ceramic.
    • Hermes models now come in black.
    • It tells time.

Series 6 measures blood oxygen, just in time for the pandemic (2020)
The Blood Oxygen app is not for medical use. So what exactly is it for?The blood oxygen feature was very helpful for those with COVID — and perfectly timed in 2020.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

  • January 9, 2020: Health tech company Masimo sues Apple for allegedly stealing pulse monitor technology that measures blood oxygen and heart rate.
  • June 22, 2020: watchOS 7 adds a new sleep app, handwashing detection and new watch faces.
  • September 15, 2020: Apple Watch Series 6
    • It comes in new blue and red aluminum finishes, and gray-black stainless steel finish.
    • It can measure your blood oxygen, just in time for the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • The always-on display is 2.5 times brighter outdoors.
    • The always-on altimeter provides continuous elevation readings.
    • A new Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop are straps entirely without any clasp mechanism.
    • The Apple Watch SE offers basic features at just $279.

Bigger, colorful Apple Watch Series 7 (2021)
Color options are similar to Series 6Many more aluminum color options than ever before.
Photo: Apple

Apple Watch Ultra is bigger and hardier (2022)
The age of Ultra. Apple Watch Ultra.The age of Ultra. Apple Watch Ultra.
Photo: Apple

  • June 6, 2022: watchOS 9 brings refreshed faces, banner notifications, sleep stage tracking and medication tracking.
  • September 7, 2022
    • Apple Watch Series 8
      • A notable milestone in the Apple Watch timeline: A new sensor can track your overnight temperature and automatically log cycle tracking.
      • Car crash detection can call emergency services if you’re in an accident.
      • Low Power Mode gets up to 36 hours of battery life.
    • The second-gen Apple Watch SE brings a refresh, with new features and rear design.
    • Apple Watch Ultra
      • All-titanium body with the biggest, brightest display.
      • A customizable Action button.
      • A custom Wayfinder face.
      • Three new bespoke bands.
      • Dual-frequency GPS for higher accuracy.
      • An 86-decibel siren can alert someone if you need help.
      • Twice the water resistance for scuba diving.
      • It starts at $799.

Apple Watch Series 9 gets faster; watchOS 10 revamps the whole UI (2023)
watchOS 10 will work with Apple Watch Series 4 and newer.watchOS 10 brought a fresh new interface.
Photo: Apple

  • January 11, 2023: A Washington, D.C., judge rules that Apple Watch infringes on Masimo’s sensor technology patent.
  • June 5, 2023: watchOS 10 comes with a new widget smart stack below the watch face, redesigned apps emphasize the content with full-screen scrollable views and new watch faces.
  • September 12, 2023
    • Apple Watch Series 9 is much faster, with certain Siri requests processed on-device.
    • Double Tap lets you control the watch hands-free.
    • The first 100% carbon-neutral models go on sale.
    • Apple Watch Ultra 2 also gets the new S9 SiP and a brighter display.
  • December 18, 2023: The ITC orders a ban on U.S. imports and sales of Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2. Apple halts online sales on December 21, but sells in-store inventory through the holidays. Old models will continue to work, but cannot be repaired by Apple customer service if broken.

Apple Watch Series 10; Apple dodges a ban on U.S. sales (2024)
Apple Watch Series 10 lineupThe Apple Watch Series 10 lineup of colors and bands.
Image: Apple

When are new Apple Watches coming out?

A new Apple Watch Series 11 should arrive in fall 2025, along with new Apple Watch SE 3 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 — but details about new features and new sensors, as well as pricing and availability — remain closely guarded secrets.