Prior to the rise of popular smartwatches like the Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, and Garmin devices, Pebble Technology made waves in the wearable technology space with its innovative timepieces. Although the company has since ceased to exist, a new venture named Core Devices aims to revive that nostalgic spirit.
This year, they are introducing the Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2 smartwatches, which incorporate the open-source PebbleOS and bear aesthetic similarities to the Pebble 2 and the never-released Pebble Time 2. If you’re in the market for an affordable smartwatch with impressive battery longevity, the Core 2 Duo could be ideal.
Currently available for pre-order at $149, the device is expected to ship starting July 2025. However, those interested should act quickly, as there are “limited quantities” available.
This revival project has reportedly been funded personally by Eric Migicovsky, the original founder, indicating that stock might be particularly scarce. The design of the Core 2 Duo features a lightweight polycarbonate frame, comes in black and white color options, and sports a 1.26-inch black-and-white e-paper display that remains always on.
Though it lacks touch functionality, the simplicity of the display contributes to a 30-day battery life, a feat that many competing smartwatches struggle to achieve. It’s essential to note that this device is not meant to compete directly with the polished offerings of larger brands like Apple.
For those seeking additional features, the Core Time 2 offers enhancements such as a colorful 1.5-inch touchscreen, upgraded resolution, and a metal frame, but it’s priced higher at $225. Despite these improvements, its health tracking features remain somewhat limited, only monitoring heart rates along with basic fitness metrics from its sibling model.
Pre-orders for both devices are open, and potential buyers can cancel their orders for a full refund if necessary.