Apple is expanding personalization on the wrist with four new watch faces in watchOS 26, headlined by a fresh Liquid Glass design language and a pair of exclusives for Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Hermès. The update also refreshes the Photos face, signaling a broader visual shift across the platform.
The new lineup includes Exactograph, Flow, Waypoint (Ultra only), and Hermès Faubourg Party (Hermès only). Two of these faces arrive for all supported models, while the other two lean into hardware and brand-specific experiences.
What’s new: a closer look at each face
Exactograph is Apple’s modern riff on classic “regulator” dials used in watchmaking studios, where hours, minutes, and seconds are separated to prioritize precision. It’s clean, legible, and purpose-driven—ideal for users who value exact timing over ornate flourishes. Expect customization for color accents and complications without sacrificing the disciplined layout.
Flow leans fully into the new Liquid Glass aesthetic. Its refractive numerals bend around a fluid orb of color that subtly responds to wrist movement, creating depth without clutter. It feels like the spiritual successor to Apple’s Motion and Kaleidoscope experiments, but with crisper typography and more predictable legibility at a glance.
Waypoint, designed for Apple Watch Ultra, functions like a live compass that orients you to saved locations in Maps or nearby points of interest. It’s a practical face for hikers, sailors, or anyone who appreciates the Ultra’s dual‑frequency GPS and robust compass sensor. By tying the face directly to navigation data, Apple turns the watch face into a situational tool rather than a static screen.
Hermès Faubourg Party is a playful, animated face exclusive to Apple Watch Hermès. Short character animations vary with movement and time of day, continuing the fashion house’s tradition of whimsical, art-forward dials that still respect Apple’s constraints for glanceable timekeeping.
Availability and device support
Flow and Exactograph are available to all Apple Watch models that support watchOS 26. Apple lists Apple Watch Series 6 and later, all generations of Apple Watch Ultra, and Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) among compatible devices. Waypoint is limited to Apple Watch Ultra, while Hermès Faubourg Party is exclusive to Apple Watch Hermès.
Apple also updated the Photos face with the Liquid Glass treatment, so existing photo albums and portraits will take on a shinier, refractive look—subtle, but noticeable in ambient light and on Always‑On displays.
Why watch faces matter
Watch faces are the gateway to everything on Apple Watch, from activity tracking to notifications. Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines emphasize “glanceability,” and faces are where that principle either lands or fails. Rich complications surface data without taps, making the choice of face a practical decision as much as an aesthetic one.
Industry analysts have long argued that personalization drives smartwatch satisfaction and retention. Counterpoint Research has consistently highlighted Apple’s leadership in smartwatch revenue share, in part due to the depth of its ecosystem and customization options. More faces—especially ones tied to real utility like Waypoint—reinforce that advantage.
A shift toward Liquid Glass
Apple previewed Liquid Glass as a signature visual theme during its developer conference, and watchOS 26 is where it comes alive. Flow’s refracting numerals and the revamped Photos face are the most obvious examples, but the broader intent is clear: depth, motion, and light play that feels premium without undermining readability or battery life.
This face lineup also pairs well with watchOS 26 features like an AI‑powered Workout Buddy and Live Translation, which benefit from glanceable cues. Apple appears to be threading a needle—making the watch feel livelier and more personal while keeping interactions quick and context-aware.
How to try the new faces
On your Apple Watch, press and hold the current face, swipe to the far right, tap the plus icon, and scroll to select Exactograph, Flow, Waypoint (if you’re on Ultra), or Hermès Faubourg Party (if you’re on the Hermès edition). Customize colors and complications to suit your routine, then set it as your default. You can also add and edit faces in the Watch app on iPhone under the Face Gallery tab.
If a face doesn’t appear, it may be restricted to specific hardware or editions. Once installed, these faces work like any other—serving as the home for your complications and the first thing you see when you raise your wrist.
With four fresh designs and a brighter design language, watchOS 26 gives Apple Watch owners more personality and, in the case of Waypoint, purposeful utility right on the dial.