watchOS 26 Adds Four New Apple Watch Faces - MacRumors
Skip to Content

watchOS 26 Adds Four New Apple Watch Faces

When Apple previewed watchOS 26 in June at WWDC, the company didn't reveal any new watch faces, but now we know Apple was just holding them back to show off with the new Apple Watch models that it unveiled on Tuesday.

watchos 26 faces
During its "Awe dropping" event, Apple also dropped the release candidate of watchOS 26. As it turns out, there are four new watch faces included in the upcoming update, some of which you may have already seen adorning the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3.

According to Apple's release notes, they are as follows:

  • Exactograph is a modern re-imagination of a traditional regulator watch which separates out hours, minutes, and seconds for more precise timekeeping
  • Flow uses Liquid Glass numerals that refract a fluid orb of color that responds to your wrist movements
  • Waypoint acts as a live compass that shows where you are in relation to saved locations in Maps or points of interest (Available on Apple Watch Ultra)
  • Hermès Faubourg Party features animated shorts that appear based on the time of day or your movements, with a series of characters (Available on Apple Watch Hermès)

These faces are coming to older models too. Waypoint is exclusive to Apple Watch Ultra models, adding to the two existing Ultra faces called Wayfinder and Modular Ultra.

Meanwhile, Hermès Faubourg Party – as the name suggests – is limited to Hermès models.

That leaves Exactograph and Flow, both of which will be available to all Apple Watch models that support watchOS 26. As a reminder, the existing Photos face has also been enhanced by a new design with Liquid Glass, elevating numerals so more of your photos are visible. Apple says the watch faces can be explored more easily thanks to a redesigned watch face gallery, where faces are grouped into collections.

watchOS 26 will roll out to all users on Monday, September 15.

Popular Stories

iOS 26 Battery Glass Feature

Three Years of 80% Charge Limits on iPhone: The Results

Tuesday October 6, 2026 12:59 pm PDT by
Since 2023, Apple's newer iPhones have had an 80 percent charge limit for those who want to extend battery lifespan. Charging to 80 percent instead of 100 percent is supposed to put less stress on the battery, improving longevity. For the last three years, I've used that setting on my iPhone. I started with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, then did the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and most recently, the iPhone...
MagSafe 3 Cable Midnight Feature

Apple Releases MagSafe 3 Charging Cable Firmware Update

Monday October 5, 2026 5:59 am PDT by
For the first time since February 2023, Apple has released a firmware update for the MagSafe 3 charging cable for the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. Specifically, Apple last week released firmware version 3.2.0 for the USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable. The previous firmware version for the cable was 3.1.12. It is unclear what is included in the latest firmware, as Apple does not publish release...
Prime Big Deal Days 25 Red and Green

Amazon Launches Prime Day Discounts on AirPods, iPad, MacBook Air, and More

Sunday October 4, 2026 9:15 am PDT by
Earlier this week, we began tracking early Prime Day deals on Apple-related accessories, and now Amazon has introduced major early deals on Apple products as well. This includes AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, and more, all available at some of the lowest prices of the year so far. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small...

Top Rated Comments

turbineseaplane Avatar
14 months ago
Why can't 3rd parties make their own Apple Watch faces yet?

This is such a huge missed opportunity.

It's incredible to see what folks come up with at garmin.watchfacebuilder.com and the like.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Séamus Boyle Avatar
14 months ago
These new ones are hideous and also useless for most of the styles because you can’t have complications. So absurd.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
14 months ago
I still think it’s asinine that watch faces can’t be designed either through submission and review of a “watch face store” or with some sort of end user tool.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Eric_WVGG Avatar
14 months ago

For sure.
I'm just surprised they haven't monetized it yet.

There is surely way more money to be made by doing a 3rd party Watchface store.
Everything could be paid if they wanted... no free options
This probably isn't the main reason, but I just realized that there would be a huge problem with people doing "inspired by 1982 Casio" copyright-infringing suits.

There's this developer who made a Mac app called Bauhaus clock and immediately got slapped with a legal threat. Had to back up and remove all references to his inspirations and possibly alter the design a bit. https://bauhausclock.com/
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Phogro Avatar
14 months ago

Why can't 3rd parties make their own Apple Watch faces yet?

This is such a huge missed opportunity.

It's incredible to see what folks come up with at garmin.watchfacebuilder.com and the like.
If Apple wanted to they would have by now. By not supporting 3rd party faces they are basically showing us they want to maintain control of the watch face. There's also likely some amount of protecting the "upsell" for the Ultra/Hermes with exclusive faces.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheJackal Avatar
14 months ago
So the most simple, uncomplicated and elegant one still remains California :)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
LG Making Doorbell, Lock, and Cameras for Apple's Home Hub
LG Making Doorbell, Lock, and Cameras for Apple's Home Hub
8 hours ago
Apple to Report Q4 2026 Earnings on November 2
Apple to Report Q4 2026 Earnings on November 2
8 hours ago
Three Years of 80% Charge Limits on iPhone: The Results
Three Years of 80% Charge Limits on iPhone: The Results
10 hours ago
macOS 27.2 Further Hints at MacBook With Touch-Enabled OLED Display
macOS 27.2 Further Hints at MacBook With Touch-Enabled OLED Display
11 hours ago
The 15 Best Apple Deals Under $200 for Prime Day
The 15 Best Apple Deals Under $200 for Prime Day
12 hours ago
AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2 Get Big Price Drops for Prime Day
AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2 Get Big Price Drops for Prime Day
12 hours ago
Apple Releases Second Public Betas of iOS 27.2 and macOS Golden Gate 27.2
Apple Releases Second Public Betas of iOS 27.2 and macOS Golden Gate 27.2
13 hours ago
'Crossy Road Rush' Launching Exclusively on Apple Arcade in November
'Crossy Road Rush' Launching Exclusively on Apple Arcade in November
13 hours ago
Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Series 12 Buyer's Guide: Is It Worth Upgrading?
Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Series 12 Buyer's Guide: Is It Worth Upgrading?
13 hours ago
Prime Day Savings: TVs, Headphones, Chargers, and Other Tech Accessories
Prime Day Savings: TVs, Headphones, Chargers, and Other Tech Accessories
14 hours ago
Apple TV 4K Rumored to Support Four HomePods for Surround Sound
Apple TV 4K Rumored to Support Four HomePods for Surround Sound
15 hours ago
iPhone 18 Pro and Duo Were Once Planned With 16GB RAM, Leaker Says
iPhone 18 Pro and Duo Were Once Planned With 16GB RAM, Leaker Says
15 hours ago
Apple's Entire Mac Lineup Gets Massive Discounts for Prime Day
Apple's Entire Mac Lineup Gets Massive Discounts for Prime Day
16 hours ago
Prime Day iPad Deals Include Low Prices on iPad Air, iPad Mini, and More
Prime Day iPad Deals Include Low Prices on iPad Air, iPad Mini, and More
16 hours ago
Apple's $634 Million Apple Watch Patent Bill Just Got Even Bigger
Apple's $634 Million Apple Watch Patent Bill Just Got Even Bigger
17 hours ago
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days Offers Major Discounts on AirPods, iPads, and Much More
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days Offers Major Discounts on AirPods, iPads, and Much More
12 hours ago
Microsoft OneDrive to Drop Support for These iPhone Models
Microsoft OneDrive to Drop Support for These iPhone Models
18 hours ago
HomePod Mini Waits Reach Eight Weeks Ahead of Rumored Refresh
HomePod Mini Waits Reach Eight Weeks Ahead of Rumored Refresh
18 hours ago
Apple Music Is Getting a New Logo
Apple Music Is Getting a New Logo
19 hours ago
Apple Quietly Boosts Email Feature for iCloud+ Subscribers
Apple Quietly Boosts Email Feature for iCloud+ Subscribers
19 hours ago
iOS 27.2 May Let You Hide Specific Suggested Actions in Messages
iOS 27.2 May Let You Hide Specific Suggested Actions in Messages
20 hours ago
Sources: Apple Planning Two Sets of Product Launches in October
Sources: Apple Planning Two Sets of Product Launches in October
1 day ago
Apple Announces iPhone Duo Apps Can Now Be Submitted to App Store
Apple Announces iPhone Duo Apps Can Now Be Submitted to App Store
1 day ago
macOS 27.2 Adds Touch Gestures Ahead of MacBook Ultra
macOS 27.2 Adds Touch Gestures Ahead of MacBook Ultra
1 day ago
Apple and AT&T Have Yet to Explain Cause of iPhone 18 Pro Max Issue
Apple and AT&T Have Yet to Explain Cause of iPhone 18 Pro Max Issue
1 day ago
tvOS 27.2 Code Hints at Apple Intelligence for New Apple TV
tvOS 27.2 Code Hints at Apple Intelligence for New Apple TV
1 day ago
Apple Seeds Third macOS Golden Gate 27.2 Beta to Developers
Apple Seeds Third macOS Golden Gate 27.2 Beta to Developers
1 day ago
Apple Releases Third watchOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2 and visionOS 27.2 Betas
Apple Releases Third watchOS 27.2, tvOS 27.2 and visionOS 27.2 Betas
1 day ago
Apple Releases Third iOS 27.2 Beta
Apple Releases Third iOS 27.2 Beta
1 day ago
Apple Cash Adds ID Check for Reloads, Teases Bank Funding
Apple Cash Adds ID Check for Reloads, Teases Bank Funding
2 days ago