Less is more when it comes to how I use the Apple Watch. The best experience, for me, requires few notifications and intentional focus on what I want out of the device. This approach applies to Apple Watch faces too. While there are no new watch faces in watchOS 27 yet, I have been loving a scaled-back version of a very information-dense option.
Apple Watch faces are one of the most personal parts of owning an Apple Watch. They define not only how the device looks, but how quickly you can access the data that matters most. Some people want every possible metric visible at a glance. Others want a clean, calm display that shows only what is essential. watchOS 27 has not delivered a brand-new face so far, but that does not mean there is nothing fresh to explore. The existing library still offers plenty of room for creative configuration, and the Modular Ultra face remains one of the most flexible options available on Apple Watch Ultra.
A more modular, less ultra version of Modular Ultra face
Modular Ultra, exclusive to Apple Watch Ultra, is one of those faces that can look super different based on how you configure it. It was introduced as part of the larger watchOS redesign that brought richer widgets and more glanceable information to the Apple Watch. On paper, it is a powerhouse: it can carry an extraordinary amount of data, from multiple complications to bezel readouts. But the face also rewards restraint. By leaving several slots empty, it transforms into something calmer, more focused, and surprisingly elegant.
My approach prioritizes the time in large size with seconds visible. This is especially nice on Apple Watch Ultra 3, which always displays the seconds, including in always-on mode. The sweeping seconds hand gives the watch a mechanical feel, even though it is a digital display. It also makes the watch feel more alive when the wrist is down, since you can still see time passing without raising the watch.
The bottom left complication is current temperature with low and high. The top right complication currently displays my activity rings, though I change this slot sometimes based on interest. I swap it out for UV index sometimes. This gives me a quick view of two things I genuinely check throughout the day: how the weather is trending and whether I have been moving enough. Everything else is stripped away.
The other four small complication slots are blank. I like the opposite corner balance and what the negative space offers. The empty slots allow the remaining elements to breathe. The time becomes the undisputed hero of the display. The temperature and activity rings sit quietly at the edges, waiting to be consulted instead of demanding attention. This may sound counterintuitive on a device designed to be a powerful information hub, but for me, it has made the watch more useful.
You can configure Modular Ultra with way more data
As an example of what Modular Ultra is capable of display, I have also configured a version that shows its full capacity. The face can show six compact complications, a medium complication under the smaller clock, and bezel data that can include seconds, depth, elevation, or training load. This is the version that makes the Apple Watch Ultra feel like a serious instrument for athletes, divers, hikers, and anyone who wants every metric at their fingertips.
In full configuration, Modular Ultra becomes a dashboard. The large time display remains central, but the surrounding area is packed with data. The medium complication can hold a calendar appointment, weather conditions, or a stopwatch. The compact complications can show activity progress, heart rate, stock prices, timers, world clocks, and more. The bezel adds another layer, turning the edge of the display into an always-on live readout. For training, you might set the bezel to show training load. On a hike, elevation might be more useful. In the water, depth is critical. The fact that one face can adapt to all those scenarios is impressive.
I think it is great that the Modular Ultra face can display so much information. It gives people options. For my day-to-day needs, I just get more out of the toned-down version. I have tried the full-detail setup, and it is genuinely useful in certain situations. When I am traveling, I appreciate having multiple time zones and a boarding pass countdown. When I am running a short workout, I like start, pause, and lap controls right on the face. But for my regular days, the simplified layout reduces cognitive load. I glance at the time, see the temperature, and check my rings without feeling overwhelmed by numbers.
This philosophy mirrors the broader shift in how some people use smartwatches. In the early years, more complications felt like a win. Every slot filled with data made the watch seem more powerful. Over time, many users have realized that too much information can create a cluttered, stressful experience. The best smartwatches are the ones you can glance at without having to process a spreadsheet. The Modular Ultra face, when configured with restraint, supports that minimal mindset.
It also helps that Apple Watch Ultra hardware is so legible. The large, flat display has excellent contrast. The bright orange accent on some models adds a sporty touch. The flat sapphire crystal reduces glare. Even with just a few complications, the screen looks premium and purposeful. The blank spaces do not feel empty; they feel intentional.
The one weird quirk that this face has in the restrained mode is the red notification dot placement. Because it is positioned to accommodate a top-middle complication slot, the dot is not centered in how I use the watch face. That is actually just one more thing I like about the layout: it is a little weird and different. It gives the watch personality. It also makes me slightly more aware when a notification arrives, because my eye has to move to a slightly unexpected location.
Apple Watch faces have always been a topic of passionate discussion. Some users never change their face once they find one they like. Others rotate through several based on the time of day, location, or activity. watchOS 27 may not have introduced a brand-new face, but the absence of new faces has encouraged me to revisit the options that already exist. I have rediscovered the power of customization within an existing face. That is perhaps more valuable than a flashy new design.
For people who want to try this simplified approach, the process is simple. Start with the Modular Ultra face. Tap and hold to enter edit mode. Swipe to the complications screen. Select a large time style that shows seconds. Add temperature to the bottom left and activity rings to the top right. Then clear all other complication slots by choosing the blank or off option where available. The result is a face that feels both modern and calm.
There is also the option to create multiple versions of the same face. You can have one fully loaded for workouts and one minimal for daily wear. Since the Apple Watch lets you store several faces and switch by swiping, this is a practical way to get the best of both worlds. I have a full-data version for weekends when I am outdoors and the minimal version for workdays.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 is currently available from $699 (reg. $799) on Amazon. Apple's refurbished store also carries Apple Watch Ultra 2 for $589. Both devices support the Modular Ultra face and watchOS 27. If you are thinking about trying a new look for your Apple Watch, you do not need to wait for an entirely new face. The tools for a better experience may already be sitting in your watch face gallery.
At the end of the day, the watch face is the gateway to everything your Apple Watch can do. A thoughtful layout can make you more productive. A clean layout can make you more calm. With watchOS 27's existing library, you have the freedom to craft something that fits your life perfectly. That is the real beauty of the Apple Watch customization system.
Which watch faces are you loving these days? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Source: 9to5Mac News