The Apple Watch Deals to Shop During October Prime Day

Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.Apple2 min readWhile Apple’s most recent keynote might have made headlines for the iPhone Duo and post-keynote has focused heavily on the iPhone 18 Pro, it also ushered in new generations of smartwatches with the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4. That said, the watch updates were a bit iterative this year—some of which will be available in older models still eligible for software updates. Since the company isn’t reinventing the wheel here, you’re not going to miss out on much if you score one of the previous generations on discount.As luck would have it, Amazon’s October Prime Day is nearly here. Right now, sales are slim, although we’re predicting some worthy deals will emerge once the fall sale officially kicks off on October 6.Right now, the best Apple Watch deal is this record-low 22 percent discount on the Apple Watch Ultra 3. Associate commerce editor Bryn Gelbart went so far as to call it the “best Apple Watch ever” when it was released last fall.“I was never tempted to upgrade to the premium option, but the Apple Watch Ultra 3 changed my mind,” Gelbart said. “It turns out I didn't quite know what I was missing.” It has souped-up fitness and health tracking technology, a bright 49mm display, satellite messaging features, a durable titanium case, and Apple’s longest-lasting watch battery (an impressive 42 hours under normal use and 72 hours on Low Power Mode). Gelbart recommends it for cyclists, runners, or the adventure-prone.As of publication, stock of the Apple Watch Series 11 is extremely limited, which means if you’re looking for a sub-$300 watch, we suggest turning your attention to the entry-level Apple Watch SE 3, which we predict will be discounted when Prime Day arrives. We’ve seen this model drop to just $190 before—and it was actually the watch that converted Gelbart to Apple wearables in the first place, arguing that its beauty is in its simplicity.“It's an accurate and predictive workout tracker. It counts my steps and activity and connects to my phone to play music and receive messages and calls,” he says. “If you’re new to the Apple Watch and want to dip your toes, this is where I recommend you start.” It has the same sleep tracking features, like nightly sleep score and sleep apnea notifications, but lacks the ECG app or hypertension notifications of its newer siblings. It also has an 18-hour battery life so you’ll need to charge most nights.Our philosophy when it comes to shopping for Apple tech during October Prime Day? If you find the watch you want at a price you can stomach, it’s worth grabbing quickly. Stock is fluctuating and will likely sell out fast, as we’re seeing with the preview deals.