Apple’s watchOS 27 update has arrived without the usual fanfare around new watch faces. The annual operating system refresh for Apple Watch is packed with new capabilities, yet the watch face gallery remains unchanged, at least for now. For users who enjoy personalizing their watch, that might feel like a missed opportunity. But the absence of new faces doesn’t have to mean boredom on your wrist.

I’ve been spending time with a configuration of Modular Ultra that strips away most of the complications. It’s a version that favors breathing room over raw information, and it has become my favorite way to use the Apple Watch. If you own an Apple Watch Ultra or Ultra 2, especially an Apple Watch Ultra 3, this might be the reminder you need to revisit your own watch face settings.

A more modular, less ultra version of Modular Ultra

Modular Ultra is exclusive to Apple Watch Ultra, and it can look incredibly different depending on how you configure it. At its most basic, it shows the time in a large typeface with a dedicated seconds readout. On the latest Apple Watch Ultra 3, the seconds are always visible, even when the display is in always-on mode. That’s a subtle but meaningful upgrade for people who like precise timekeeping at a glance.

My setup keeps the big digital clock at the top. The bottom left complication is set to current temperature, along with the day’s low and high. The top right complication currently shows my activity rings. I’ll sometimes swap that slot for the UV index, especially during summer months when sun exposure is more relevant. The remaining four small complication slots are intentionally left blank.

At first, leaving so many slots empty feels like a waste of the watch face’s potential. But the negative space creates balance. The two active complications sit on opposite corners, and the otherwise empty grid gives the display a calm, focused appearance. It makes every glance feel less cluttered, which is rare for a watch face that can be packed with data.

Apple Watch faces have always been about compromise. A face like Modular Ultra is designed to show off the hardware’s capability, but not every user needs every complication all the time. Reducing the information to only what matters most has changed how I interact with the watch. Instead of scanning across a busy screen, my eyes go directly to the two pieces of data I care about most.

You can configure Modular Ultra with way more data

To be clear, Modular Ultra is still a heavyweight when you want it to be. At its full capacity, it can display six compact complications, a medium complication positioned beneath the smaller clock, and bezel data that can be configured to show seconds, depth, elevation, or training load. That level of density is useful for athletes, divers, hikers, and anyone who wants the full array of metrics from the Apple Watch Ultra line.

I’ve built a second configuration of the same face that uses nearly every available slot. Six complications around the edge give me quick access to weather, activity, heart rate, calendar, and more. The medium complication adds a week view or a long-range weather forecast. The bezel readout can also be changed on the fly, which makes the face just as practical for trail navigation as it is for everyday use.

Having both extremes on the same face makes it easy to switch depending on the situation. For weekend workouts, I can jump to the full configuration. For normal workdays, I return to the minimal setup. Because the watch face layouts are saved, changing between them takes only seconds. This is one of the best reasons to explore the watch face gallery even when no new faces are added.

The red notification dot quirk

No watch face is perfect, and Modular Ultra has a small oddity in its minimal configuration. The red notification dot, which appears when you have unread notifications, sits differently on this face. Because the design reserves space for an optional top-middle complication, the dot isn’t centered when that slot is left empty. It floats slightly off-center, near the top of the display.

For most people, this is probably a minor annoyance. For me, it’s become a quirk that adds character. It’s also a useful reminder that Apple Watch faces are not always symmetrical. The asymmetry works because it reflects how the face is meant to be configured, not because something is wrong with the display. It’s one of those tiny details that you only notice when you strip the face back to its essentials.

What’s next for watchOS 27 watch faces

The absence of new watch faces in watchOS 27 is notable, especially because rumors earlier this year pointed to a new Apple Watch face. Leaks also suggested that an existing popular face would gain new options in watchOS 27. None of that has materialized publicly yet, so it’s possible Apple is holding some watch face updates for a later point release. In previous years, Apple has added new faces in x.x updates rather than waiting for the next major version.

In the meantime, existing watch faces continue to receive attention through alternative customizations. Users can still choose from different colors, styles, complications, and app integrations. Faces like Modular, Modular Duo, Infograph, and Siri can be configured to match nearly any workflow. The watchOS 27 update also brings enhancements to third-party complications, which makes older faces feel more capable even without a new gallery entry.

Apple Watch Ultra availability and pricing

Apple Watch Ultra 3 is currently available from $699, with a regular price of $799 at some retailers. Apple’s refurbished store also carries Apple Watch Ultra 2 for $589. For those who want the brightest display and the always-on seconds feature, the Ultra 3 is the model to consider. The Ultra 2 remains a strong alternative if you want the same Modular Ultra face and most of the same features at a lower price.

The Apple Watch Ultra line has evolved quickly since the original model launched in 2022. Each iteration has improved battery life, display brightness, and processor performance while keeping the 49mm case design. The ability to read the watch at a glance in bright sunlight is still one of the biggest advantages of the Ultra models. All of them support the Modular Ultra face, which means this minimal setup is available on Ultra, Ultra 2, and Ultra 3.

Which watch faces are you loving these days? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Source:9to5Mac News