Apple event on Sept 9: time for an anniversary Apple Watch on the anniversary?

Apple's decision to hold its next event on September 9 on a Monday could have an even more important reason for Apple besides the US presidential candidates' duel on Tuesday: This date marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of the first Apple Watch. As Apple usually attaches great importance to such anniversaries and decades, the temptation is great to use this date for the launch of the Apple Watch X as an anniversary model, according to current speculation online.

Apple's plans to fundamentally change its standard Apple Watch for the anniversary have been circulating through the rumor mill for over a year. Meanwhile, it has also been speculated that Apple could present this watch as the successor to the Series 8 as early as September 2023 – just as the iPhone 8 was followed by the iPhone X at the time. However, the Series 9 was then unveiled and the Apple Watch X was scheduled for 2024. Simultaneously, however, the rumor mill has become somewhat more cautious about the scope of the changes.

Fateful day for Tim Cook

September 9, 2014 was a particularly important date for Apple CEO Tim Cook, as it was the first introduction of an entirely new type of Apple device since the departure of Steve Jobs. Cook, who some observers and analysts did not believe would be able to fill the big shoes of the late Apple co-founder, was able to overcome the skepticism – even though the profile of the Apple Watch still had to be significantly sharpened in the first series generations and the initial focus on software in particular gave way to others. Moreover, it was months before the first Apple Watch was launched – on April 24, 2015.

In 2024, the challenge is rather to bring the Series range back out of the shadow of the Apple Watch Ultra, which recently seemed more like the flagship Apple Watch in terms of features than the Series, although the latter remained the bestseller due to its lower price. The rumors circulating around the Apple Watch X suggest that Apple is planning major changes that could put the anniversary watch in the spotlight.

What the Apple Watch X should be able to do

According to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, for example, there is talk of a thinner case, larger screens with diameters of 45 and 49 mm are expected (instead of 41 and 45 mm) and there is speculation about new health functions, such as blood pressure or sleep apnoea detection. However, the latter and a magnetic docking system for watch straps have recently become less likely. However, the focus of the event on September 9 will be the iPhone 16.

(mki)