
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
I really like a contemporary watch face, and would even say it’s one among my favourite facets of carrying a smartwatch. It’s the quickest method to make a tool really feel new once more, and on the Google Pixel Watch 4, the precise watch face can fully change the vibe from workout-ready to weekend informal. Whereas there’s no scarcity of paid choices within the Play Retailer, I’m a agency believer that you just don’t have to spend further to get one thing nice. After biking via extra designs than I care to confess, I narrowed issues down to 5 free Pixel Watch 4 faces that I carry on deck.
Retro Analog

Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
Retro Analog (CMF Analog) by Sparkine Labs is presently my every day driver and one of many faces I return to most. The design is deliberately pared again, with a muted retro shade palette, slim arms, and delicate problems that preserve the dial clear with out feeling sparse. On the wrist, it lands someplace between a classic area watch and an understated smartwatch. Personally, it provides low-key spy gadget vitality, like loading right into a spherical of 007 on N64 (the closest I’ll ever get to being an actual undercover agent).
Once I wish to really feel like a undercover agent, this retro analog look delivers.
What retains it in my rotation is how calm it feels. Two core kinds, dozens of curated shade themes, and three complication slots present flexibility with out inviting infinite tweaking, and the Watch Face Format basis helps every little thing run easily. I swapped coronary heart price in for step depend as my prime complication, however stored the default date and battery indicators. When I’ve one thing thrilling on my calendar, I commerce one of many three for a countdown (so I can fake like I’ve an upcoming secret mission). Total, the design gained’t seize consideration the way in which novelty faces can, however that’s the attraction. It’s a face that feels timeless, adaptable, and just a bit cinematic.
Concentric

Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
Some builders present up in these lists many times, and Luka Kilic typically earns a spot on mine. Concentric is definitely probably the most elegant choose in my rotation. The balanced design is impressed by the Pixel Watch’s personal built-in model, however this third-party possibility layers rings of knowledge into the search for a extra customizable expertise. I like to think about it because the native Concentric with the guardrails eliminated.
Reliably constructed by a developer I preserve coming again to, Concentric is definitely my most elegant choose.
A variety of shade themes, index kinds, and complication choices lets me tailor the look with out disrupting the symmetry. In the meantime, AOD help and intentional spacing preserve particulars readable. It gained’t be the choose for somebody chasing novelty, however in a rotation filled with persona and efficiency faces, Concentric is the one I select once I need one thing helpful but additionally lovely.
Sports activities Watch Face 019

Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
The title doesn’t depart a lot to the creativeness, however Sports activities Watch Face 019 by Lihtnes Watch Faces is the face I default to once I’m headed to the health club (or making an attempt to persuade myself to get there). It leans right into a basic digital coaching aesthetic with clear metrics, segmented progress bars, and simply sufficient shade to remain fascinating with out muddying the info. I picked the obnoxious orange, however there’s a variety of vibrant themes relying in your tolerance for visible motivation.
Because the title implies, Sport Watch Face is my best choice for an excellent health companion.
The utilitarian structure facilities the numbers I truly examine, whereas visible purpose markers like a 10K step indicator make progress really feel concrete as a substitute of theoretical. It’s sensible, dependable, and precisely what I need once I’m making an attempt to not lose momentum. 4 customizable complication slots let me shift the main target from coronary heart price to timers to restoration stats relying on the day, all whereas protecting every little thing fast to learn at a look.
Pop Time

Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
One other aptly named design, POP Time by Time Design LLC feels prefer it was pulled straight out of pop-art comics, with classically saturated colours, daring dots, and speech bubbles. Personally, it jogs my memory of watching Batman cartoons with my dad: excessive vitality and too corny to not love. It’s playful, nostalgic, and stands out in my carousel of favorites.
Pop Time appears straight out of a comic book ebook, which makes it each nostalgic and upbeat.
The punchy look additionally doesn’t derail usability. Although it isn’t customizable, preset information factors embrace time, date, steps, coronary heart price, battery, and climate, every inside high-contrast panels which are very readable. The structured grid prevents the structure from getting too overwhelming (no small feat when your watch appears prefer it’s mid sound impact). All the time-on (AOD) help retains the comedian styling intact, simplified right down to the time in a single bubble.
Fishcat

Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
I’m undecided there’s a nasty day that may’t be not less than reasonably improved by an animated cat and a wiggly fishbone. Fishcat by artisan provides it a shot with a design that balances persona with practicality, pairing easy, looping animation with a tidy digital structure. Although not customizable when it comes to problems, the design surfaces all of the necessities, together with time, date, battery, and every day steps. There’s additionally an itty-bitty second-hand dial that provides to the chaotic allure. Customized shade choices vary from pastel-pep to barely extra understated, whereas the general structure stays readable and enjoyable.
It is onerous to beat the allure of an animated cartoon cat.
It’s not probably the most data-heavy possibility, however typically I want a break from overload anyway (and apparently an equal break from mature aesthetics). In AOD mode, the animations pause, however the data and characters are nonetheless faintly seen. In case your rotation might use one thing cheerful, this heartwarming face is price contemplating.
Honorable mentions
In actuality, narrowing this listing down to simply 5 was rather a lot simpler stated than finished. Beneath are a two extra price contemplating.
- Sweet Time is one other choose by Time Design LLC, however this one appears prefer it’s been doodled onto your wrist with Sharpie, pairing shiny sweet colours with a chunky digital structure that’s straightforward to learn at a look.
- Embassy is a really primary possibility for minimalists. It pairs a clear digital structure with delicate shade choices that make for knowledgeable however personalised look.
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