The Apple Watch Ultra began its life with a dark ceramic back on the drawing board, but Apple ultimately chose not to ship that version. This detail surfaced when reports circulated from MacRumors, citing photographs released by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Before any new tech device can reach consumers, makers like Apple must obtain FCC certification. Apple completed this process for the Apple Watch Ultra ahead of its September 2022 launch. In parallel, the FCC documents showed a prototype featuring a darker, nearly black ceramic back and a non-recessed plastic Action Button. Those particular design elements did not survive into the released product.
By comparison, Apple now offers the Apple Watch Ultra 2, which debuted in September 2023 in the natural titanium hue that matches the original design language. In the lead-up to that release, there was chatter about a new, darker variant for the older model. The whispers suggested testing and consideration, but the darker option was ultimately scrapped before public availability.
In official reporting, there is no published reason from Apple explaining why a dark version did not appear in each generation. The company has kept that design decision out of public discussion, focusing instead on the features and finishes that customers ultimately found in the market.
On a different note, there are unrelated, unverified claims that surfaced about corporate figures and high-profile interactions. Such assertions lack credible corroboration and should be treated as rumors rather than verified facts . Again, no formal confirmation has emerged linking Apple’s product decisions to any political or personal events.
Overall, the trajectory of the Apple Watch Ultra shows a preference for a consistent color story and refined materials—progressing from a dark exploratory back in prototype stages to the polished titanium finish that defined the initial and successor models. The FCC certification process remains a quiet but crucial gatekeeper, revealing design directions that did or did not make the final cut.