The concept of a smartwatch that is stylish yet understated is still very much alive, thanks to the latest offerings from the company formerly known as Pebble, now rebranded as Core Devices. The new Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2 smartwatches pay homage to the classic Pebble design, which debuted in 2013. The fact that the aesthetic remains largely unchanged is a testament to the original design’s timelessness. In an era where smartwatches often sacrifice battery life and user experience for the sake of features, it’s refreshing to see a brand that’s committed to keeping things simple.

While the new Pebble smartwatches do incorporate some modern features, such as a microphone for interacting with ChatGPT and step and sleep tracking, they manage to avoid the pitfalls of overly complex technology. The Core Time 2 also offers heart-rate monitoring, a feature that’s become a staple in the wearable world. Both watches boast an impressive 30 days of battery life, surpassing even the longest-lasting Android smartwatch, the OnePlus Watch 2R.

One of the defining characteristics of the Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2 is their emphasis on simplicity. The Core 2 Duo, in particular, is a minimalist’s dream, with a button-only interface that eschews the touchscreen in favor of a more traditional watch-like experience. This approach is reminiscent of the classic Casio G-Shock, which also features tactile feedback button input. The key difference, of course, is that the Core 2 Duo’s software is easily hackable, offering a level of customization that’s not possible with a traditional wristwatch.

The Core Time 2, on the other hand, offers a slightly more sophisticated experience, with a 64-bit color display and touchscreen capabilities. Despite its more modern features, the watch still maintains a approachable aesthetic, making its $225 price tag feel relatively reasonable compared to the $250 starting price of the Apple Watch SE. However, it’s worth noting that the Apple Watch SE, like many other smartwatches on the market, comes with the added cost of being locked into a specific ecosystem. Whether it’s Apple, Samsung, or Google, these ecosystems often require users to create additional accounts and navigate complex fitness tracking systems, such as Fitbit on the Pixel Watch or Samsung Health on the Galaxy Watch.

Even a basic fitness tracker from one of these brands can feel like a commitment, requiring users to log in and manage multiple accounts. The new PebbleOS smartwatches, on the other hand, offer a refreshing alternative to this complexity. As the /r/dumbphones subReddit has been gaining popularity, it’s clear that there’s a growing demand for simpler, more straightforward technology. The Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2 are poised to capitalize on this trend, with an initial production run of just 10,000 units. Although shipping won’t begin until July, it’s worth pre-ordering one of these watches before they’re gone.

As Eric Migicovsky, the founder of Pebble and a key figure in the revival of PebbleOS, put it, the new smartwatches aren’t intended to compete with the likes of Apple and Garmin. Instead, they offer an alternative for those who are looking for a more stripped-back, uncomplicated wearable experience. “If you’re looking for something that’s perfectly polished or looking for something like a Garmin, go and buy those watches,” he said. For those of us who crave a simpler time, before the era of smartwatches and ecosystems, the Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2 may just be the answer we’ve been waiting for.