Seconds Display Disappear & Reappear from Default Watch Face

I noticed today that occasionally the seconds display would disappear then reappear some time later.  The interval between disappearing and reappearing would vary as well as the time between disappearances.  The minute continues to update, so the watch is frozen.  I can also select a widget when the seconds are missing, then back to the watch display and the seconds would be displayed.  

Abnormal Display:

Normal Display:

  • Forgot to mention the SW Version is 6.51 Beta

  • This is normal behavior and designed as a power saving measure.  After a few minutes of no movement, the seconds will "disappear."  When the watch senses movement again, the seconds will "reappear."

    Try it yourself.  Set your watch on a stable surface and watch it for a few minutes until the seconds are no longer displayed.

    Then pick the watch up and watch as the seconds are displayed again.

    HTH

  • I noticed it too. It appears to occur when the watch has been still for a while. The seconds indication returns as soon as the watch is moved. Its a bit of a quirk (possibly helps to conserve battery power?) and I see it as an undocumented "feature" rather than a bug. It can be a pain, however, if you're using the main watch display to time something (e.g. waiting for it to return to 00 to set the time on another clock).

  • Perfect.  Functions exactly as you describe.

    Thanks

  • I understand that this is how the watch is designed to work (to conserve battery by reducing the need for screen refreshing), but it's really annoying when you're timing something when you're absolutely still (e.g., holding a plank! ;-) ).  I would like to see an option in System Settings for turning this behavior on and off.

  • After a few minutes of no movement

    Unfortunately, from the version 6.52 it is only 15 seconds (sometimes 30 seconds). Before the version 6 it was 5 minutes. A few days ago I was trying to configure windows scheduler to wake up my computer, and I needed to see real time including seconds. My frustration from non working scheduler was worsened by the Instinct,  laying on the table, which needed to be shaken by every 15 seconds.

    Timer for those 15 seconds is reset by movement, but not by buttons. So usually I see seconds disappearing while I am working with the watch.

     I have found, that when some activity is running,  seconds never disappear, neither after original 5 minutes. It is a workaround for my situation, but if I need sometimes to save battery life, it is just when an activity is running. So I think that this new feature is quite questionable.

  • As I workaround why not use the stopwatch function.

  • but if I need sometimes to save battery life

    Yes, using the Activity mode is a good workaround also for other cases - for example if you want to keep the Steps, Floors, Compass, or any other widget on the screen without the default limit of 2 minutes. With a dummy activity running in the backgroud, it will stay displayed as long as you want. I use it often too.

    To save power, simply select an indoor activity such as Indoor Bike, Treadmill, or Pool Swim. Without using the GPS it won't consume more than normally.