Pixel fans are still waiting to see what Google will do with its upcoming smartphone and smartwatch lines. However, we may have already gotten an unexpected glimpse of what to expect from the Pixel Watch 5. In late May, Gearbox co-founder Randy Pitchford posted to X, reporting that a friend of his had found a watch underwater while scuba diving near St. Maarten. Pitchford shared photos of the front and back. When you zoom in, the back of the watch appears to have “Pixel Watch 5” written on it, along with other official terms including “EDA,” “Skin Temperature,” and “SpO2.” There are also mentions of a heart rate sensor and a pulse sensor on the watch, as well as the term UWB – which stands for ultra-wideband and has been available since the Pixel Watch 3.
The markings on the watch are unusually detailed for what many might consider a prototype of the device, as Google had yet to announce or give any hints about the existence of the watch before this point. After the initial post on
Coincidence or promotion?
The truth is likely that it was simply an accident that happened to someone wearing one of the early models of the Pixel Watch 5. Reports suggest that Google only filed the new devices suspected to be the Pixel Watch 5 into India’s BIS database on June 1, 2026. That’s the day after Pitchford shared the images on the internet. As such, it is highly likely that Google decided to list the actual devices after the leak.
Unfortunately, all we can do is speculate. Information in the database suggests that there are potentially up to four different models in the Pixel Watch 5. However, the filing does not specifically mention the Pixel Watch 5 anywhere in the list. As such, the timely timing of this listing and Pitchford’s posts on The Pixel Watch 4 was a solid – but not revolutionary – upgrade for the company’s smartwatch lineup, and it looks like the Pixel Watch 5 may continue with its more subdued appearance.
