Miraculous Reunion: How Jared Brick Recovered His Lost Apple Watch After More Than a Year Underwater
In a story that can only be described as incredible, Jared Brick has finally reunited with his Apple Watch after losing it in the Caribbean over a year ago. Thanks to the magic of Apple’s “Find My” feature, a fortunate discovery by a kind stranger, and a bit of luck, Brick’s valued possession made its way back to him. The watch not only returned but was still in perfect working condition after spending more than a year underwater.
A Birthday Celebration Turned Into a Dilemma
Jared Brick’s ordeal began in June 2022, when he was on a trip to the Caribbean to celebrate his son’s birthday. As part of the celebration, he bought new Apple Watches for himself and his son so they could stay in touch even if they didn’t have their phones on them.
Brick, an avid diver, almost always kept his Apple Watch on during his twice-daily scuba dives. “It’s certified as water-resistant to depths of up to 50 meters,” he explained. The waters of the Caribbean are often too mesmerizing, and on one particular dive, amidst the stunning aquatic beauty, Brick’s watch slipped off his wrist.
“I’m wearing it and poof, it’s gone,” Brick described. “I was so distracted by the true beauty of that place, I didn’t even realize it at the time.”
The Long Wait and An Unexpected Call
Brick immediately utilized Apple’s “Find My” feature, marking the device as lost. While he fantasized about someone finding and returning his watch, he admitted that he didn’t hold much hope of it actually happening.
Months passed, and life continued on. It wasn’t until December last year when Brick received an unexpected voicemail from an unknown caller in the Caribbean. To his disbelief, the caller claimed to have found his Apple Watch. The device had sent out a signal via “Find My,” displaying a message along with Brick’s phone number.
A Kind Stranger and a Reunion
The caller, named Jonathan, located Brick’s contact information on the watch and reached out to him. “So amazing, so big thank you to Jonathan in the Caribbean for finding it, contacting me, and shipping it back,” Brick celebrated, praising the stranger’s honesty and the finder’s initiative in making sure the watch found its way home.
Jonathan mailed the watch back to its rightful owner in California. Upon receiving the package, Brick was thrilled to discover that not only was it indeed his lost Apple Watch but it was also still in perfect working order. “Thank you to Apple for making such amazing technology that works,” Brick exulted.
The Technological Magic of “Find My”
The “Find My” feature has become a game-changer for Apple users, helping them locate their devices under the most improbable circumstances. Last year alone, there were other similar stories of Apple Watch recoveries. One user found his watch during a schooner trip, and another retrieved his Apple Watch Ultra after a lake dive.
Apple’s “Find My” system can locate devices even when they are offline by sending out signals to nearby Apple devices. This remarkable capability was key to Brick’s happy reunion with his watch.
Lessons Learned
While not every story of a lost device has such a happy ending, Brick’s tale underscores the importance of enabling useful features like “Find My” on your devices. Brick’s experience had an unforgettable ending, one that serves as a testament to both human kindness and cutting-edge technology.
For those interested in seeing the full story from Brick’s perspective, he shared his detailed experience in a YouTube video. You can watch it here.
This miraculous recovery isn’t just about a piece of technology; it’s a story of hope, patience, and the small but significant gestures that connect us all.