The device serves as a direct antithesis to the Apple Watch. Instead of a vibrant OLED touchscreen, it utilizes a 64-color e-paper display housed in a stainless steel frame. With a 21-day battery life and physical buttons that provide tactile satisfaction, the watch feels like a piece of functional hardware rather than a miniaturized smartphone. Its design, available in blue, red, silver, or black, favors a casual, Swatch-like vibe that encourages interaction without the constant demand for engagement.
This comeback is rooted in the persistence of its original community. After the initial company shuttered and was acquired by Fitbit, users kept the ecosystem alive for years. In 2025, founder Eric Migicovsky leveraged the open-source release of the original operating system to launch Core Devices. The result is a platform thriving on niche development, hosting over 2,120 watch faces and a sprawling array of community-built apps. From quirky games like Pixel Miner to utilitarian tools, the software reflects a hacker ethos where users build solutions for their specific needs, such as tracking Claude AI usage or local transit schedules.
While the watch offers basic fitness tracking and notification mirroring, its limitations are most apparent on iOS, where Apple’s restrictions prevent deep integration. Yet, for many, this friction is a feature. It transforms the smartwatch from a tethered communication device into a glanceable companion, allowing users to stay informed without the urge to reply or engage. With firmware updates arriving every few weeks and a new Pebble Round 2 expected in September, the project remains a living experiment in brand loyalty and sustainable, community-led hardware.
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