Apple Watches With Ceramic Finish Reportedly Returning This Year

Ceramic case finishes for Apple Watches are reportedly set to return in the upcoming Series 12 lineup, after a seven-year hiatus, according to tech insider Kosutami and tech analyst Mark Gurman. The news was shared on X by Kosutami, who wrote, "Hell yeah, Ceramic Watch is back. We'll see it at Series 12." Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also reported earlier this month that the ceramic edition would be included in the next Apple event, which could be as early as September 9. Apple has not yet commented on the matter.

The ceramic finish was previously available in the Apple Watch Series 2, 3, and 5, with the first white ceramic watch launching in 2016, followed by a gray option in 2017. After a year-long break, white ceramic returned in 2019 with the Series 5. Since then, there has been no ceramic option in the lineup. The Edition line, which included gold and titanium watches, was discontinued in 2021.

Ceramic watches were not only expensive but also featured a unique combination of zirconia and alumina, with a diamond slurry used to create a smooth, exquisite shine. The casing was four times harder than stainless steel, making it highly resistant to scratches and nicks. Tech influencer Jon Rettinger, with over 1.66 million YouTube subscribers, has previously expressed his fondness for the ceramic model, stating that while it was "absurdly expensive," its unique look made it a favorite.

Apple currently leads the market in smartwatches, accounting for 23% of global shipments in the first quarter of the year, followed by Huawei at 17%. Apple's shipments also grew by 21% compared to the previous year.