Pebble is staging a comeback—but not as a retro side hustle. Eric Migicovsky, the founder of the Pebble smartwatch, is back with a company called Core Devices, and he’s determined to rekindle all that was great about Pebble in the first place: simplicity, huge battery life, and an emphasis on people, not features. Since Google open-sourced PebbleOS in January of 2025, Migicovsky saw an opportunity to continue where things left off originally—not by pursuing the latest and greatest in technology, but by taking what succeeded and making it better and incorporating it into something new.
Core Devices is introducing two smartwatches: the Core 2 Duo and the Core Time 2. The Core 2 Duo refines the Pebble 2’s traditional look with a 1.26-inch black-and-white e-paper screen, a thin polycarbonate case, and a silicone band with a careful keeper to deal with unused band length. While its minimalist appearance might lead one to expect otherwise, the watch is chock full of upgrades like a speaker, linear actuator motor for haptics, compass, barometer, and better buttons—all while aiming at 30 days of battery life. That sort of endurance is practically unheard of in contemporary wearables, and the device remains water resistant to boot, hoping for IPX8 certification.
The Core Time 2 takes the Pebble Time 2’s design and expands upon it with a bigger 1.5-inch color e-paper screen, metal casing, and flat glass top with a clean look. It includes a touchscreen as well as the iconic buttons, speaker, and extended battery life. It’s intended for those who prefer a more visual experience but remain committed to Pebble’s central values of efficiency and thoughtful design. It will ship in December 2025.
The rebirth wouldn’t exist without Google’s willingness to open-source PebbleOS. That released the floodgates, allowing developers, hardware tinkerers, and enthusiasts to take free rein with improving and remixing the software. Migicovsky is embracing this openness in full, stating that while Core Devices is intent on refining the platform’s current features, the larger community can experiment at will. Progress is publicly followed on GitHub, and thus it is among the most open hardware projects in wearable tech today.
And attention to detail permeates both watch designs. The speaker hole and water resistance for the Core 2 Duo are a tip of the hat to the Pebble 2’s original design, and charging comes through a contemporary USB-C to a Pebble-style magnetic adaptor. Replacing watch bands is a breeze, also, with standard 22mm strap support. While the Core 2 Duo maintains a monochrome screen, it doesn’t cut corners on features—it monitors sleep and steps, can host thousands of PebbleOS apps and watchfaces, and provides the button-push interface veteran Pebble users are familiar with. The Core Time 2 pushes the boundary further with heart rate monitoring and a more interactive user interface through its color touchscreen.
Software development is ongoing but progressing rapidly. At the time of Migicovsky’s most recent podcast update, major features such as the real-time clock and notification drivers were in finalization. Certain classic watchfaces, including community darlings by Ash and Andrew Witty, are already in testing. Watchface widgets with quick views of weather or calendar events are possibilities for future updates, and there are whispers of further integration with Beeper, Migicovsky’s universal chat platform. And with microphones and speakers on both models, voice assistant AI support is also an option. And due to regulatory changes in Europe, iOS integration could one day support voice responses to messages—something Pebble enthusiasts have always requested.
Naturally, 2025 hardware has logistical challenges. Both watches are produced in Shenzhen and today are subject to a 27.5% U.S. tariff on smartwatches made in China. Migicovsky has been open about the possibility of price adjustments if tariffs change and has promised to provide full refunds to customers who don’t wish to continue under new pricing. Core Devices is shipping globally through carriers such as DHL, FedEx, and UPS, but cannot ship to nations subject to U.S. export restrictions. Prices are in U.S. dollars, and overseas buyers should include their local customs and tax policies.
Core Devices isn’t just going to stop with smartwatches, though. The team is already porting PebbleOS to new Bluetooth chipsets, paving the way for potential future devices outside of the wrist. Details remain scarce, but the company’s modular, open-source philosophy suggests a more ambitious vision for personal tech—namely, one where simple, long-lasting, easy-to-use devices can coexist.
This isn’t a revival—it’s a declaration. Pebble, from Core Devices, is demonstrating that wearable technology doesn’t necessarily equate to puffed-up features and daily recharging. With its loyal fan base, devoted founder, and fresh resolve to get back to what truly concerns users, the essence of Pebble is not only alive but is transforming.
