Imagine having your Apple Watch tick like a classic quartz watch! It's a unique feature that adds a touch of nostalgia to your modern device. But here's the catch: it's not as straightforward as you might think.
Last week, we discovered a subtle change in iOS 26.1 that affects the Clock app icon's seconds hand in low power mode. Instead of the continuous movement we're used to, it now ticks like a quartz clock. This change also applies to the analog faces on new Apple Watches, with a sweeping seconds hand in active mode and a ticking one in always-on mode.
For those who prefer the quartz-like movement, there's a clever workaround. You see, Apple Watch has traditionally used a continuously moving seconds hand, similar to an automatic movement watch. However, with the Apple Watch Series 10 and beyond, the displays are capable of refreshing once per second, allowing for the display of seconds at all times.
While this feature is handy, the switch between quartz-like and automatic movement can be jarring. If given the choice, many would opt for a consistently ticking seconds hand.
The good news is, there's a way to achieve this! By toggling off the 'Wake on Wrist Raise' option in the Settings app, you can make your Apple Watch behave more like a quartz watch. However, there are some trade-offs. The watch face will dim significantly, and you'll lose the convenience of one-handed gestures.
Despite these drawbacks, it's an interesting mode to explore if you want a more traditional watch experience. You can still wake the display with a tap or button click, and access widgets and apps without fully waking the watch.
And here's a fun fact: this feature only works on Apple Watch Series 10/11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3. Without an always-on display, disabling 'Wake on Wrist Raise' simply keeps the screen off.
So, are you ready to give it a try? It's a unique way to personalize your Apple Watch and add a touch of classic style. Just remember to toggle back to normal if you decide it's not for you!
And this is the part most people miss: Apple could potentially add an option in future watchOS updates to cater to this preference. What do you think? Should Apple give users more control over their watch's behavior? Let us know in the comments!
