Pebble 2 Duo.
Nov 25.
A simple white watch that feels like a memory from 2013, still alive and full of character.
The Watch That Never Died.
A reflection on finally owning the Pebble 2 Duo, a tiny comeback story about detail, nostalgia, and honest design.
The Dream from 2013.
I still remember being a starry-eyed teen reading about the original Pebble smartwatch in 2013. Back then, a watch with an e-paper screen, week-long battery, and fun apps felt like a gadget from the future.
I dreamed of owning one for years. Fast-forward to November 2025: that dream has finally come true. I have a Pebble 2 Duo on my wrist. I even shared a quick x-tweet about it!
Buying from the Revival.
I ended up purchasing my Pebble 2 Duo from store.repebble.com. Opening the package, I felt a rush of nostalgia. The Pebble 2 Duo looks and feels just like the Pebble I’d imagined all those years ago: simple, quirky, and utterly charming.
Pebble 2 Duo
Media: store.repebble.com
Credit Where It’s Due.
I have to give credit to Eric Migicovsky, the founder of Pebble and the visionary who set this whole idea in motion back in the day. His work on the original Pebble inspired an entire ecosystem of fans (and perhaps indirectly sparked this 2025 revival too).
In fact, Eric is involved in this revival effort himself, which makes it even more special. It’s not often that a founder gets to see their creation get a second life years later, and I’m grateful that his original vision was so strong and inspiring.
A Story That Didn’t End.
Of course, the journey between 2013 and 2025 wasn’t smooth for Pebble. The company behind Pebble was acquired by Fitbit in 2016 and essentially disappeared from the market.
For a long time it seemed like Pebble was gone for good. Yet the Pebble’s software and community refused to fade away. Volunteers and fans (through the unofficial Rebble project) kept the Pebble ecosystem alive – maintaining apps, servers, and support – long after the official lights went out.
Even big players lent a hand: Google (which later bought Fitbit) open-sourced Pebble’s OS code, clearing the way for enthusiasts to build on that foundation. In hindsight, it’s amazing: Pebble survived in the hearts and hard drives of its community until it could be reborn.
Still a Joy to Use.
Using the Pebble 2 Duo now, I’m struck by just how smooth and thoughtful Pebble OS feels. Navigating the menus, I notice little animations and touches that make the experience friendly and fun. The interface is pixelated and simple, yet every detail feels considered – nothing is over-engineered or bloated.
The watch doesn’t have a flashy high-res screen or a zillion sensors, but that’s kind of the point. Its simplicity is its strength. The layout of information on the tiny e-paper display is clean and legible, and interacting via the physical buttons is surprisingly intuitive.
Even after all these years, the Pebble’s software UX feels on point – a testament to how well it was designed in the first place.
More Than a Watch.
Wearing this watch brings a wave of emotion and nostalgia. It takes me back to my younger self, the kid who excitedly followed Pebble news and tinkered with gadgets whenever possible. Back then, I couldn’t afford a Pebble or just never got around to owning one. Now, more than a decade later, I’m finally here, strapping on essentially the same dream gadget I longed for in my youth.
It’s a strangely poetic feeling – like I’ve picked up a conversation with an old friend after years apart. The curiosity and wonder I felt in 2013 have come rushing back, but this time I get to experience the real thing every day.
Takeaway.
This whole experience has taught me something truly heartwarming. A good design and a passionate community can keep an idea alive, even when it’s been shelved or written off as “dead.”
Pebble’s comeback in 2025 isn’t just about a smartwatch; it’s about the enduring power of a great idea. When a product is built with care and loved deeply by its users, it can survive against the odds – sometimes it even returns, as vibrant as ever, to inspire a new generation.
Pebble’s story shows that innovation, community spirit, and thoughtful design never go out of style, and that’s a legacy worth keeping alive.
More in Projects.
Car Digital Cockpit.
Jan 25.
Developed intuitive digital cockpits integrating real-time data visualization, driver-centric design, and responsive interfaces.
Car Control Widgets.
Oct 24.
Crafted native-style widgets for car controls, bringing Apple’s clarity and consistency into everyday driving.
Noque.
Mar 24.
Engineered an innovative mobile app simplifying restaurant interactions through streamlined ordering and efficient pickup.
Musyka.
Nov 24.
Designed a vibrant digital music experience tailored specifically to the dynamic preferences of new generation.
Kodomi.
Dec 24.
Built a versatile no-code tool empowering designers to rapidly prototype and share UI components and full websites.
More in Nuggets.
Component Shortcut.
Sep 25.
Added a custom shortcut feature for design components to reduce friction and avoid digging through the library every time.
More in Readings.
Copyright Maksim Anisimov.
Pebble 2 Duo.
Nov 25.
A simple white watch that feels like a memory from 2013, still alive and full of character.
The Watch That Never Died.
A reflection on finally owning the Pebble 2 Duo, a tiny comeback story about detail, nostalgia, and honest design.
The Dream from 2013.
I still remember being a starry-eyed teen reading about the original Pebble smartwatch in 2013. Back then, a watch with an e-paper screen, week-long battery, and fun apps felt like a gadget from the future.
I dreamed of owning one for years. Fast-forward to November 2025: that dream has finally come true. I have a Pebble 2 Duo on my wrist. I even shared a quick x-tweet about it!
Buying from the Revival.
I ended up purchasing my Pebble 2 Duo from store.repebble.com. Opening the package, I felt a rush of nostalgia. The Pebble 2 Duo looks and feels just like the Pebble I’d imagined all those years ago: simple, quirky, and utterly charming.
Pebble 2 Duo
Media: store.repebble.com
Credit Where It’s Due.
I have to give credit to Eric Migicovsky, the founder of Pebble and the visionary who set this whole idea in motion back in the day. His work on the original Pebble inspired an entire ecosystem of fans (and perhaps indirectly sparked this 2025 revival too).
In fact, Eric is involved in this revival effort himself, which makes it even more special. It’s not often that a founder gets to see their creation get a second life years later, and I’m grateful that his original vision was so strong and inspiring.
A Story That Didn’t End.
Of course, the journey between 2013 and 2025 wasn’t smooth for Pebble. The company behind Pebble was acquired by Fitbit in 2016 and essentially disappeared from the market.
For a long time it seemed like Pebble was gone for good. Yet the Pebble’s software and community refused to fade away. Volunteers and fans (through the unofficial Rebble project) kept the Pebble ecosystem alive – maintaining apps, servers, and support – long after the official lights went out.
Even big players lent a hand: Google (which later bought Fitbit) open-sourced Pebble’s OS code, clearing the way for enthusiasts to build on that foundation. In hindsight, it’s amazing: Pebble survived in the hearts and hard drives of its community until it could be reborn.
Still a Joy to Use.
Using the Pebble 2 Duo now, I’m struck by just how smooth and thoughtful Pebble OS feels. Navigating the menus, I notice little animations and touches that make the experience friendly and fun. The interface is pixelated and simple, yet every detail feels considered – nothing is over-engineered or bloated.
The watch doesn’t have a flashy high-res screen or a zillion sensors, but that’s kind of the point. Its simplicity is its strength. The layout of information on the tiny e-paper display is clean and legible, and interacting via the physical buttons is surprisingly intuitive.
Even after all these years, the Pebble’s software UX feels on point – a testament to how well it was designed in the first place.
More Than a Watch.
Wearing this watch brings a wave of emotion and nostalgia. It takes me back to my younger self, the kid who excitedly followed Pebble news and tinkered with gadgets whenever possible. Back then, I couldn’t afford a Pebble or just never got around to owning one. Now, more than a decade later, I’m finally here, strapping on essentially the same dream gadget I longed for in my youth.
It’s a strangely poetic feeling – like I’ve picked up a conversation with an old friend after years apart. The curiosity and wonder I felt in 2013 have come rushing back, but this time I get to experience the real thing every day.
Takeaway.
This whole experience has taught me something truly heartwarming. A good design and a passionate community can keep an idea alive, even when it’s been shelved or written off as “dead.”
Pebble’s comeback in 2025 isn’t just about a smartwatch; it’s about the enduring power of a great idea. When a product is built with care and loved deeply by its users, it can survive against the odds – sometimes it even returns, as vibrant as ever, to inspire a new generation.
Pebble’s story shows that innovation, community spirit, and thoughtful design never go out of style, and that’s a legacy worth keeping alive.
More in Projects.
Car Digital Cockpit.
Jan 25.
Developed intuitive digital cockpits integrating real-time data visualization, driver-centric design, and responsive interfaces.
Car Control Widgets.
Oct 24.
Crafted native-style widgets for car controls, bringing Apple’s clarity and consistency into everyday driving.
Noque.
Mar 24.
Engineered an innovative mobile app simplifying restaurant interactions through streamlined ordering and efficient pickup.
Musyka.
Nov 24.
Designed a vibrant digital music experience tailored specifically to the dynamic preferences of new generation.
Kodomi.
Dec 24.
Built a versatile no-code tool empowering designers to rapidly prototype and share UI components and full websites.
More in Nuggets.
Component Shortcut.
Sep 25.
Added a custom shortcut feature for design components to reduce friction and avoid digging through the library every time.
More in Readings.
Copyright Maksim Anisimov.