Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
I like a contemporary watch face, and would even say it’s considered one of my favourite elements of sporting a smartwatch. It’s the quickest solution to make a tool really feel new once more, and on the Google Pixel Watch 4, the fitting 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 must spend additional 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 coloration palette, slim palms, and refined issues that maintain the dial clear with out feeling sparse. On the wrist, it lands someplace between a classic discipline watch and an understated smartwatch. Personally, it offers low-key spy gadget power, like loading right into a spherical of 007 on N64 (the closest I’ll ever get to being an actual undercover agent).
After 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 coloration themes, and three complication slots present flexibility with out inviting countless tweaking, and the Watch Face Format basis helps all the things run easily. I swapped coronary heart fee 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 faux like I’ve an upcoming secret mission). General, the design received’t seize consideration the best way 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 essentially 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 data into the search for a extra customizable expertise. I like to consider it because the native Concentric with the guardrails eliminated.
Reliably constructed by a developer I maintain coming again to, Concentric is definitely my most elegant choose.
A variety of coloration themes, index kinds, and complication choices lets me tailor the look with out disrupting the symmetry. In the meantime, AOD help and intentional spacing maintain particulars readable. It received’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 in addition stunning.
Sports activities Watch Face 019

Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
The identify 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 attempting to persuade myself to get there). It leans right into a traditional digital coaching aesthetic with clear metrics, segmented progress bars, and simply sufficient coloration to remain attention-grabbing with out muddying the information. I picked the obnoxious orange, however there’s a variety of vibrant themes relying in your tolerance for visible motivation.
Because the identify implies, Sport Watch Face is my best choice for health companion.
The utilitarian format facilities the numbers I really verify, whereas visible aim 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 attempting to not lose momentum. 4 customizable complication slots let me shift the main target from coronary heart fee to timers to restoration stats relying on the day, all whereas holding all the things 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 power 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 guide, which makes it each nostalgic and upbeat.
The punchy look additionally doesn’t derail usability. Although it isn’t customizable, preset information factors embody time, date, steps, coronary heart fee, battery, and climate, every inside high-contrast panels which can be very readable. The structured grid prevents the format from getting too overwhelming (no small feat when your watch appears prefer it’s mid sound impact). At all times-on (AOD) help retains the comedian styling intact, simplified all the way down to the time in a single bubble.
Fishcat

Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
I’m undecided there’s a foul day that may’t be at the least reasonably improved by an animated cat and a wiggly fishbone. Fishcat by artisan offers it a shot with a design that balances persona with practicality, pairing easy, looping animation with a tidy digital format. Although not customizable when it comes to issues, 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 attraction. Customized coloration choices vary from pastel-pep to barely extra understated, whereas the general format stays readable and enjoyable.
It is onerous to beat the attraction of an animated cartoon cat.
It’s not essentially 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 information and characters are nonetheless faintly seen. In case your rotation may use one thing cheerful, this heartwarming face is value contemplating.
Honorable mentions
In actuality, narrowing this record down to only 5 was loads simpler mentioned than achieved. Beneath are a two extra value 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 brilliant sweet colours with a chunky digital format that’s straightforward to learn at a look.
- Embassy is a really primary possibility for minimalists. It pairs a clear digital format with refined coloration choices that make for knowledgeable however personalised look.
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