An unreleased Pixel Watch 5 was found at the bottom of the Caribbean Sea
Google's next smartwatch has turned up in the last place anyone expected: underwater in the Caribbean. Randy Pitchford, co-founder of game studio Gearbox, posted photos on May 31 claiming a friend discovered the device while scuba diving near the island of St. Martin. The watch clearly shows "Pixel Watch 5" branding on its back — a product Google hasn't announced yet.
The find
Pitchford shared images that reveal several details about the device. It's a 45mm model, the design closely mirrors previous Pixel Watch generations, and the back markings confirm an IP68 water-resistance rating. Health sensors are visible too — a heart-rate monitor, thermometer, and blood-oxygen sensor among them. Pitchford later said he tracked down the watch's owner and arranged its return.
A friend of mine found this watch a few days ago ~underwater~ when he was scuba diving near the island of St. Martin. He noted that the reverse of the watch indicates that it is a Google Pixel 5, which has not yet been announced, let alone released. It seems to be fine. The face… pic.twitter.com/Mnenov1sFE
— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) May 31, 2026
Google has not commented on the find, and the device's authenticity hasn't been officially confirmed. The condition of the watch — reportedly pristine despite ocean exposure — has raised eyebrows, as Android Authority noted. That said, IP68 is specifically rated for sustained submersion, so a working device isn't impossible.
Earlier leaks suggested the Watch 5 will run a custom Google Tensor wearable chip — reportedly featuring a Cortex-A78 core paired with two Cortex-A55 cores — a step up from the Snapdragon W5 used in the Watch 4.
What to expect
The Pixel Watch 5 is expected to be announced at Google's Made by Google event in August 2026 alongside the Pixel 11 series, with shipping likely starting in October. PhoneArena puts the base price around $349 for a 41mm model, consistent with what Watch 4 launched at — though a 45mm version will likely cost more.
That puts it in direct competition with the Apple Watch SE and Samsung Galaxy Watch FE at similar price points. If Google's custom Tensor chip delivers on battery life and on-device AI features, those could be the key differentiators. The watch will launch across the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, and Spain.
The bigger picture
Accidental prototype leaks aren't new — the iPhone 4 famously turned up in a bar in 2010. Whether this one is genuine or staged, the photos have effectively confirmed the Watch 5 exists and is well into development. Google has about two months left to control the narrative before its own event.
