Unannounced Google Pixel Watch 5 surfaces after scuba dive discovery

Randy Pitchford, creator of the Borderlands franchise and co-founder of Gearbox Software, has provided an early glimpse of the Google Pixel Watch 5 following an unusual recovery. Pitchford posted images on X of a smartwatch claimed to be the unreleased device, which was discovered by a friend while scuba diving near Saint Martin in the Caribbean Sea.

According to Pitchford, the device’s reverse side bears markings indicating it is a Google Pixel 5, a model that has not yet been announced or released to the public. The watch was found in decent condition despite being submerged, with a battery that was empty but retained sufficient reserve power to display the correct time on the face.

Pitchford noted that his friend, believing he had connections within the technology sector, sought assistance in locating the original owner. After Pitchford issued a call to identify the finder, an individual contacted him, and arrangements have since been made for the device’s return. The identity of the person who lost the watch remains unknown.

This incident marks a departure from typical product leaks, which usually originate from supply chain insiders or data mining activities. The discovery mirrors previous accidental revelations of unreleased Google hardware, such as the original Pixel Watch in 2022, which was found by a bartender and shared on Reddit. A comparable historical precedent is the leak of the iPhone 4 in 2010.

Details regarding the specifications of the upcoming Pixel Watch remain limited, though prior rumours suggested the device could feature Google’s in-house Tensor processor. Google did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the leak. With Google typically unveiling new Pixel devices in August, the authenticity and specifications of this recovered unit will likely be confirmed in the coming months.