August 21, 2026: The Apple Watch Series 12 is rumored to have a ceramic option for the first time since the Series 5 was discontinued. With that in mind, I’m sharing my favorite Apple Watch reviews from September 2019. Seven years later, it’s still the best model I’ve ever owned. I hope you are happy!
Apple Watch Series 5 introduces the return of the Ceramic Edition after the absence of the Series 4. That means that this is the first time that ceramic is an option with the new design that was launched last year, and the new model is amazing. Check out our first look at the Apple Watch Edition before our Series 5 review next week.
Unboxing ceramic Apple Watch Edition
Start with Apple Watch Series 5Apple is adding titanium and bringing back ceramic as a case material option in addition to aluminum and stainless steel. Titanium comes in two colors, one silver and the other black channel. The ceramic returns in the same white color we saw with the Apple Watch Series 2 and Series 3, and there is no gray ceramic finish like we saw with the Apple Watch Series 3.
Both ceramic and titanium models are in the Apple Watch Edition collection, although there is less packaging right with the Series 5 than we see with the Series 2 and Series 3. Both Apple Watch Edition cases complete with a sports band in the box, in addition to any band you choose to buy (just like the Hermès series), but two things that are missing this year.
The Apple Watch Edition used to include Apple’s Magnetic Charging Dock and a special book on how to build materials. Both are without Series 5, it is possible to support the standard case for all watches, but the $79 Magnetic Charging Dock can be purchased separately.
Here’s a look at the Series 5 packaging for the Apple Watch Edition, which carries the same experience as the Series 4:
The Apple Watch Edition sports bands bundled in the main box and includes both small/medium and medium/large bands (although ‘what’s in the box’ suggests S/M for 40mm and M/L for 44mm).
Under the main box is the tab selected at the time of purchase. Apple Watch Edition can be purchased with Sport Loop, Leather Loop, Milanese Loop, Link Bracelet, or Sport bands through the new Apple Watch Studio experience.
The paper sleeve that wraps the main box and the band packaging together are similar to what we saw with the 4 series, minus some of the color and band design.
Since this is the first time that the redesigned Apple Watch has been presented in ceramic, it also means that the Apple Watch Edition has a different look than the Ceramic Series 3.
The back cover changes from aluminum and steel to all-ceramic starting with the Apple Watch Series 4, and continuing with the Apple Watch Series 5. The back cover blends in with the dark optical heart rate sensor on all Series 4 and Series 5 watches, accented with white ceramic.
The Digital Crown also has the new look of the Apple Watch Series 5. The original ceramic model had a black cap inside a white crown, then the second ceramic version changed to a red cap like the other mobile watches. The new version — which includes an electrical heart sensor for the ECG app — has a more subtle black cap with a red ring.
The new Sport Loop band colors launched with the Apple Watch Series 5 this month, including two-tone options like the new Anchor Gray option seen here.
The Ceramic Apple Watch Edition also includes a special sports band with a ceramic pin that is not sold separately. Originally paired with a white exterior called Cloud, Apple added the Soft White version seen below with the Series 3.
Apple Watch Edition in ceramic has two sizes, 40mm and 44mm, priced from $1299 to $1749 depending on the choice of band. Apple Watch Series 5 In other cases, materials start at $399; Larger displays and cell phone models have higher prices, but different case materials include the same features.
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