Continuous second on Apple Watch: available from Series 10, but Apple slows down
The new Series 10 display finally makes it possible to display a “ticking” second on the Apple Watch. But this is currently only possible with four dials.
Dials with seconds display: there aren't many of them.
(Image: Apple / via Fahad X)
From the Apple Watch Series 5 onwards, Apple has incorporated the so-called always-on mode in its computer watches, which means “always on” in German. This allows the display to remain slightly dimmed even when the user is not looking at the smartwatch, making its use more similar to a regular wristwatch. With last year's Series 10, the option of implementing a continuous second was added thanks to a further improved screen control: The watch therefore shows how the second “ticks on” even in always-on mode. A simple but very satisfying effect. The problem: the feature has only been implemented in a few watch faces, as the Apple blog 9to5Mac discovered this week.
Four watch faces use new function, few of which are useful
This is because the ticking second can only be used in the watch faces “Flux” (where the screen slowly fills up), “Reflections” (ticking second hand, visually appealing but minimalist) and “Activity Digital” (second counts up digitally). As part of Apple's Black History Month campaign this year, the watch face “Unity Rhythm” was added via a watchOS update, which Apple has also given a ticking second hand. The feature is missing from all other standard watch faces, and Apple still does not allow third-party providers to create their own watch faces.
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Only the company knows why Apple does not equip its other – and certainly more popular – watch faces with the permanent second in always-on mode. It is hardly a battery problem. Otherwise, the feature would not be implemented in the four watch faces in question. Popular displays with many complications such as Modular (including the Ultra version on the Apple Watch Ultra) would also benefit from this. Apple has not yet commented on why this is the case.
Erratic approach to watch faces
The example may be of little significance, but Apple explicitly advertised the continuous second at the launch of the Apple Watch Series 10. Accordingly, customers are entitled to expect this to be implemented. Overall, Apple's approach to the watch face issue, which is close to the hearts of many computer watch users because they constantly notice it in their everyday lives, is rather erratic.
From watchOS version to watchOS version, watch faces are added, but also deleted without comment. There are also changes to existing versions, so that certain complications are no longer available, and the user is required to get used to them with a watchOS update. These are all internal Apple decisions – There are rarely any technical reasons for this.
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