TL; DR
- A scuba diver reportedly found a Google Pixel Watch 5 prototype on the ocean floor near St. Martin in the Caribbean.
- Photos shared by Gearbox Software CEO Randy Pitchford show “Google Pixel Watch 5” engraved on the back.
- Pitchford says he has since contacted the owner and arranged for the unreleased smartwatch to be returned to Google.
Unreleased devices usually leak through certification listings, regulatory databases, or supply chain reports. The Pixel Watch 5 appears to have taken a different route.
Gearbox Software CEO Randy Pitchford revealed on X that a friend discovered what appears to be aj unreleased Google Pixel Watch 5 prototype while scuba diving near the Caribbean island of St. Martin. According to Pitchford, the watch was found on the ocean floor a few days before he shared the story publicly.
The photos quickly attracted attention after the tweet went viral, largely because the device appears to be an actual pre-release Pixel Watch rather than a modified or disguised product.
The Watch Is Clearly Marked “Pixel Watch 5”
The images shared online show the rear of the smartwatch with “Google Pixel Watch 5” clearly engraved on the casing. Interestingly, Pitchford noted that although the battery was completely dead, the watch still displayed the correct time after being connected to a charger.
That doesn’t tell us much about the final hardware, but it does suggest the prototype remained functional despite spending an unknown amount of time underwater.
Randy Pitchford Has Already Contacted the Owner
After initially posting the photos, Pitchford asked the internet for help identifying the owner so the watch could be returned.
Later the same day, he posted an update confirming that he had successfully established contact and arranged for the prototype to be returned safely.
He also shared a simple message alongside the update: “If you find something that isn’t yours, pay it forward and try to return it to its rightful owner.”
Real Accident or Convenient Leak?
As expected, the discovery has sparked plenty of speculation online. Some people believe this is simply a lost prototype that ended up in the wrong place during testing or travel.
Others have questioned whether finding an unreleased Google smartwatch on the ocean floor is a little too convenient and have suggested the possibility of a deliberate leak.
Google has obviously not commented on the incident, and there is currently no evidence supporting either theory.
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