Apple Watch
Cupertino, USA · Est. 2015
Founded by Apple Inc., Tim Cook, Jony Ive, Kevin Lynch
Apple Watch is a line of smartwatches designed and sold by Apple Inc., first released in April 2015 and developed under the leadership of Jony Ive and Tim Cook. The world's best-selling wearable device, Apple Watch integrates health monitoring, fitness tracking, communications, and Apple Pay in an increasingly sophisticated ecosystem.
- Founded
- 2015
- Headquarters
- Cupertino, USA
- Group
- Other
- Price Segment
- Entry
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- Series — Apple Watch Series is the mainline Apple Watch family, refreshed regularly with Apple’s latest sensors, chips, and health features while serving as the core everyday smartwatch range.
- Ultra — Apple Watch Ultra is the rugged titanium Apple Watch line built for endurance, outdoor adventure, and demanding sports use, with a larger case, extended battery life, and advanced GPS and water-resistance features.
- SE — Apple Watch SE is the value-oriented model in the lineup, offering core Apple Watch health, fitness, safety, and connectivity features in a more affordable aluminum package than the flagship Series and Ultra models.
- Hermès — Apple Watch Hermès is the luxury collaboration line pairing Apple Watch cases with Hermès-designed straps, exclusive watch faces, and fashion-led materials that position the smartwatch as a premium lifestyle accessory.
Timeline
- 2014 — Tim Cook unveils Apple Watch at the September iPhone 6 event — Apple's first new product category since the iPad.
- 2015 — Apple Watch goes on sale 24 April; 4.2 million units sell in the first quarter, instantly becoming the world's best-selling wearable.
- 2018 — Series 4 introduces ECG monitoring (FDA-cleared) and fall detection, pivoting the product toward health.
- 2020 — Series 6 adds blood oxygen monitoring; Apple Watch becomes a mainstream health device.
- 2022 — Apple Watch Ultra launched — 49mm titanium, 100m WR, dual-frequency GPS. Targets extreme athletes.
- 2024 — Estimated installed base exceeds 267 million units worldwide.
- 2025 — First shipment growth since 2022 (plus 8 percent). Launched Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3, reaching 23 percent global smartwatch market share.
Frequently Asked Questions about Apple Watch
- Does the Apple Watch work without an iPhone?
- GPS+Cellular models can make calls, send messages, and stream music independently. But initial setup and full functionality still require a paired iPhone.
- What health features does Apple Watch have?
- Heart rate monitoring, ECG, blood oxygen, sleep tracking, fall detection, crash detection, cycle tracking, and medication reminders. It's essentially a medical device on your wrist.
- How does Apple Watch compare to traditional watches?
- It dominates by volume — selling more units annually than the entire Swiss watch industry combined. But it's a different category: a technology product with a 3-5 year lifespan, not a mechanical heirloom.