Apple Watch lost at sea reclaimed after month-long journey

Tim Armitstead was swimming at Burleigh Beach on October 19 when the device detached from his wrist.

“Pulled a decent wave, popped my head up, watch has gone off the wrist. I thought ‘ahh no’,” Armitstead said.

The watch travelled about four kilometres north, washing ashore at Nobby Beach three weeks later.

Gold Coast Councillor Nick Marshall and his daughter discovered the device.

“This Apple Watch just sort of washed up at our feet,” Marshall said.

Marshall and his daughter charged the watch, revealing a screensaver image of a man and a young child.

“We put that on social media and said, ‘Do you know the owner?'” Marshall said.

After that proved unsuccessful, the community provided a crucial tip.

“The side part of an Apple Watch, if you hold down the medical ID section it comes up with a name,” Marshall said.

“So we were able to track down Tim via that.”

Armitstead was contacted through LinkedIn.

“I get this random message on my LinkedIn,” Armitstead said.

“It just in capital letters said ‘I’ve found your watch’.”

The Apple Watch was returned to Armitstead in working condition.

“Hasn’t missed a beat. Nothing wrong with it at all,” Armitstead said.