You’ve seen them on eBay for the price of a decent sandwich. Maybe you found one in a junk drawer, buried under old Lightning cables and receipts from 2017. We’re talking about the Apple Watch Series 1.
Honestly, the naming convention back then was a total mess. People get it mixed up with the "Series 0" (the original 2015 model) all the time. But here is the thing: the Series 1 was actually a stealthy little speed demon when it launched in 2016. It wasn’t just a re-release; it was a corrective measure.
Apple realized the first watch was, well, kinda slow. To fix it, they dropped the Series 1 alongside the Series 2, giving it a dual-core brain that made the original look like it was running through molasses.
The Confusion Between Series 0 and Series 1
Let’s clear this up once and for all. If your watch says "7000 Series Aluminum" on the back but doesn't explicitly say "Series 1," you're holding the original 2015 watch. That’s the Series 0. It had a single-core S1 chip that struggled to do basically anything without a five-second lag.
The Apple Watch Series 1 arrived in September 2016.
It looked identical. Same 38mm and 42mm sizes. Same OLED display. But inside, Apple swapped the old chip for the S1P. This was essentially the same dual-core processor found in the high-end Series 2, just without the GPS chip.
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Suddenly, Siri actually answered. Apps opened in a second or two instead of an eternity. It was the "budget" watch that actually worked.
What You Actually Got (and What You Didn't)
If you bought a Series 1 back in the day, you were making a specific trade-off. You wanted the speed, but you didn't care about swimming.
The Series 1 had an IPX7 water resistance rating.
In plain English? It could handle a rainstorm or a sweaty workout. It could even survive a splash while you washed your hands. But you couldn't take it in the pool. If you tried to track laps with it, you were basically asking for a paperweight.
- Processor: Dual-core S1P (50% faster than the original).
- Display: 450 nits brightness (fine for indoors, struggle-bus in direct sunlight).
- GPS: None. It had to piggyback off your iPhone’s location.
- Case: Aluminum only. No stainless steel or ceramic options here.
The Series 2, which launched at the same time, had the 1000-nit screen and built-in GPS. But it was also thicker and more expensive. For the average person who just wanted notifications and step tracking, the Series 1 was the "sweet spot" that kept the Apple Watch relevant.
Is it Still Usable in 2026?
We have to be real here. As of August 2025, Apple officially moved the Series 1 to its obsolete products list.
That sounds harsh, but it's a technical term. It means Apple stores won't repair them anymore. They don't even make the parts.
Software-wise, the Series 1 is stuck in the past. It caps out at watchOS 6.3. While the world is moving onto watchOS 26 with all its fancy AI health metrics and advanced sleep stages, the Series 1 is essentially a digital fossil.
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But does it still "work"?
Yes. If the battery hasn't swollen up and popped the screen off (a common issue with older lithium-ion tech), it will still tell the time. It will still track your heart rate. It will still buzz when you get a text.
But don't expect it to run modern apps. Most developers have abandoned watchOS 6. The "Weather" app might work, but your favorite third-party fitness tracker probably won't even install. It's a notification mirror and a basic pedometer now. Nothing more.
The Battery Longevity Problem
If you're looking at a used Series 1, check the screen. If it looks like it's lifting away from the metal frame, do not buy it.
That's the battery expanding. It's a fire hazard and a sign the hardware is finished.
Most Series 1 units today suffer from "the 3:00 PM death." Since the batteries are nearly a decade old, they've gone through thousands of charge cycles. A watch that once lasted 18 hours might now struggle to make it to lunch.
Replacing the battery is technically possible, but it’s a nightmare. You have to slice through the adhesive, avoid tearing the delicate Force Touch gasket (remember that feature?), and hope you don't break the screen. Honestly? It's usually not worth the $50 in parts and the two hours of frustration.
Why People Still Love the Series 1
There’s a weird nostalgia for this specific model. It was the first "affordable" Apple Watch. It was the one that proved the wearable category wasn't just a flash in the pan.
For many, the Series 1 was their entry point into the ecosystem. It didn't have the "always-on" display of the Series 5 or the ECG of the Series 4, but it had a simplicity that’s sort of missing now. No Oxygen Saturation. No Fall Detection. Just your rings, your music, and your messages.
Final Reality Check
If you're a collector, go for it. A mint-condition Series 1 in the box is a cool piece of tech history.
But if you’re looking for a daily driver in 2026? Skip it.
Even a used Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) or a Series 8 will provide a vastly superior experience. You'll get better sensors, a screen you can actually see outside, and software that isn't vulnerable to a decade's worth of security exploits.
The Series 1 did its job. It saved the Apple Watch from being a slow, clunky failure. It gave us the dual-core power we needed. But its time has officially run out.
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Actionable Insights for 2026:
- Avoid buying for daily use: The lack of security updates on watchOS 6 makes the Series 1 a risk for anyone using Apple Pay or sensitive health data.
- Recycle properly: If you have an old Series 1 with a bulging battery, take it to an Apple Store or a certified e-waste center. Don't throw it in the trash; those batteries are spicy.
- Check the Back: If you're buying "vintage" tech, verify the engravings on the back of the case. Ensure it says "Series 1" to avoid being scammed with an even older, slower Series 0.
- Look for SE Models: If you want a budget-friendly watch today, the Apple Watch SE (3rd Gen) released in 2025 is the modern equivalent of what the Series 1 used to be—reliable, fast, and stripped of the "pro" features you probably don't need anyway.