Why the Apple Watch Is the Most Accurate Timepiece out There GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Smart & Connected Life > Smart Watches & Wearables 36 36 people found this article helpful

Why the Apple Watch Is the Most Accurate Timepiece out There

Learn how the timepiece maintains optimal performance

By Emily Price Emily Price Writer Harvard University The University of North Carolina at Greensboro Emily Price is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire and a freelance tech writer who focuses on emerging technology. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 14, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Smart Watches & Wearables Eco Tech Electric Vehicles Working From Home Headphones & Ear Buds Smart Home Smart Watches & Wearables Travel Tech Connected Car Tech iPods & MP3 Players Not only is the Apple Watch the best selling watch in the world, but it is also the most accurate. When it comes to the Apple Watch, accuracy is exceptionally important. Several things go on behind the scenes to ensure that the watch is always as accurate as possible. Here's how the timepiece maintains optimal performance, no matter where your travels take you.

Why the Apple Watch Is the Most Accurate Timepiece

It isn't easy to be the most accurate watch in the world. Here are a few reasons Apple delivers the most accurate watch on the market. To support the Watch, Apple built a Network Time Protocol (NTP) that operates using servers located in different locations. Those servers ensure that the time that appears on the Apple Watch is as close to Stratum 1 accuracy as possible. The second hand on the watch is perfectly in sync with the second hand on every other Apple Watch. Each device is accurate down to 50 milliseconds of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). While one Apple Watch may be a tiny amount off from another, they're so close that no human can perceive the difference. The time on the Watch comes from atomic clocks, which measure time using the resonant frequency of a cesium atom—an atomic element—which works out the seconds. The time is served to GPS satellites that orbit the Earth, where high-precision time is used to determine location. That time is broadcast to servers deployed around the world to receive the signals from GPS satellites and share the time with a time server, which in turn communicates with the watches. Apple tested the Apple Watch in a variety of weather conditions to ensure its accuracy everywhere. The watch adjusts in cold weather, a situation where watches are often less accurate, to ensure it maintains a consistent time. The Apple Watch team used high-speed cameras to test the accuracy of the Apple Watch. The team filmed the screen at 1,000 frames per second, ensuring that each watch has millisecond precision. That precise time comes from an atomic clock within the Apple testing lab.

Exceptional Accuracy

All that together makes for one exceptionally accurate timepiece. Next time you try to decide which of your friends has the most accurate cellphone or watch time, throw out a few of these facts about your Apple Watch, you're likely to win the argument every time. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire What Is Crash Detection on iPhone and Apple Watch? How to Pair and Connect an Apple Watch With a New iPhone Apple Watch Ultra: Release Date, Specs, Price, and News How to Use Apple Watch With Siri Is an Apple Watch Worth It? How to Set Alarm on Apple Watch Apple Watch: Everything You Need to Know How to Use Maps on the Apple Watch How to Find My Apple Watch How to Zoom In and Out on Apple Watch Is the Apple Watch Series 6 Waterproof? How Far Does the Apple Watch Reach? How to Use an Apple Watch ECG How to Pair an Apple Watch With Your iPhone Apple Watch Repair: Everything You Need to Know How to Fix an Apple Watch That Won't Turn On Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies