An American named Amir Noorani lost his Apple Watch Ultra during a swim and only discovered it was still functional after a surprising three-month interval. This account was highlighted in reports from 9to5Mac.
Noorani, a resident of Los Angeles, had misplaced the watch while vacationing at Lake Travis in Texas, a destination famous for its water-based amusements. The Apple Watch Ultra’s silicone strap released during a dive at roughly nine meters below the surface. Although Noorani immediately realized the loss, searching the water proved futile.
“I even hired a professional scuba diver, but there was no luck in locating the watch,” Noorani explained.
With loss mode activated on his iPhone for the Apple Watch Ultra, a hopeful signal continued to guide the device toward its owner and assist in reuniting it with its rightful owner. The reunion, however, came not in days but in months.
“Three months later they called to say the watch had been found. My brother arranged to meet the diver and recover the device,” the Watch owner recounted.
Upon retrieval, the watch appeared caked with mud and silt. After a careful rinse, the device did not power on immediately, but extended charging eventually revived its functionality. The experience prompted Noorani to commend Apple for the thoughtful engineering embedded in the watch’s design.
In related guidance on water exposure, experts emphasize proper drying techniques for electronics after immersion and the importance of patience when attempting to revive devices that have been submerged. This incident underscores how modern wearables can survive underwater mishaps with the right precautions and a bit of luck. The owner’s positive outcome also highlights the value of set loss notifications that help connect lost devices with their owners even after a lengthy period.
For travelers and water-sport enthusiasts, this story offers a practical reminder: secure straps before diving, enable loss mode early, and be aware that recovery processes can take time, especially if the item has settled into sediment or mud. As always, following manufacturer recommendations for post-immersion care can improve the chances of a successful revival. The device’s eventual return demonstrates the persistence of sea-level salvage attempts and the benefit of cooperative recovery efforts between finders and owners.
Ultimately, Noorani’s Apple Watch Ultra proved remarkably resilient, serving as a testament to contemporary wearable technology and its capacity to endure unexpected aquatic adventures. The anecdote serves as a practical case study for users who rely on loss-prevention features and robust hardware in wet environments, offering reassurance that a submerged device can still return home with proper steps and a bit of good fortune.
Note: The above narrative references the original report and attribution to 9to5Mac for the initial breakthrough in the story.