Google Pixel Watch 5 leaks from an unlikely source: Borderlands creator Randy Pitchford
An early look at the Google Pixel Watch 5 may have surfaced, and it comes from an unusual source. Randy Pitchford, the creator of the Borderlands game franchise, posted a pair of images of a watch on X, explaining that his friend found the device underwater while scuba diving near Saint Martin. The images were reported earlier and offer a rare glimpse at what could be Google’s next-generation smartwatch.
The Leak Details
Pitchford shared two images on his X account, showing a watch that appears to be an unreleased Google Pixel Watch 5. According to his post, the device was discovered by a friend during a scuba diving excursion near Saint Martin, a Caribbean island. The watch was found submerged underwater, though Pitchford did not specify the exact depth or conditions of the recovery. The images show the watch from multiple angles, revealing its design and potential hardware features, but no further context about the device’s functionality or state was provided.
Design and Specs
Based on the leaked images, the Pixel Watch 5 appears to retain the circular, domed design language of its predecessor, the Pixel Watch 4, with a prominent crown on the right side. The display seems slightly larger, possibly expanding to 1.4 inches, while the bezels appear thinner than previous models. The watch body is shown in a dark, possibly matte black finish, with a silicone strap attached. No official specifications have been confirmed, but the images suggest a new sensor array on the back, which could indicate upgraded health monitoring capabilities, such as improved heart rate tracking or blood oxygen sensing. The watch appears to be powered off or unresponsive in the images, likely due to water damage from its underwater recovery.
Context of the Leak
The source of the leak, Randy Pitchford, is best known as the co-founder of Gearbox Software and the creator of the Borderlands video game series. His X post has since generated significant attention within the tech community, as Pitchford has no known history of leaking hardware from Google or any other tech company. The authenticity of the images has not been independently verified, and Google has not commented on the leak. The discovery near Saint Martin, a popular diving location, raises questions about how a prototype device ended up underwater, possibly lost or discarded by a Google employee or contractor during testing.
Market Context
As of today, June 01, 2026, the cryptocurrency market shows Bitcoin trading at $71,033, down 3.5% in the past 24 hours. Ethereum is at $1,992.23, a 0.7% decline over the same period. The broader tech sector continues to see heightened interest in wearable devices, with Google’s Pixel Watch line competing directly with Apple’s Watch Series and Samsung’s Galaxy Watch series. The Pixel Watch 5 is expected to launch later this year, though Google has not announced an official release date. This leak, if confirmed, would mark the first significant glimpse at the device ahead of its anticipated unveiling.