This is a long reply but I want to pass along what I have learned over the last 8 days (totaling about 12 hours) working with both Verizon and Apple tech support (at multiple levels)
Verizon's system is use a "line share" technology that they developed that is part of the backbone of their cellular identification system. This is Verizon's way of having your Apple watch get a mobile call that was dialed to your iPhone. But because the somewhat co-join 2 IMEI and eSIM numbers, Verizon has a somewhat convoluted system.
When Verizon receives product from Apple for their inventory, Verizon logs the IMEI number into their system. Note this happens when Verizon gets inventory from Apple and Verizon logs the product in.
When you go through the activation App on the iPhone for the Cellular part of an Apple Watch, the Watch App looks for the IMEI number in the Verizon system, finds it, and Verizon assigns an eSIM (which appears as the ICCID in the Watch App), and viola - a connection to the Verizon network is made. So if you buy your Verizon product, directly from Verizon, you will have no issue connecting to the cellular network.
However..........
If you "bring your own product" into the Verizon system, you are going to experience serious issues UNLESS the Apple Watch has previously been connected to the Verizon Network. By bringing your own, I mean buying something on eBay, getting an Apple Care+ replacement (like me), getting a hand me down, etc.
Why is this an issue? Because the IMEI number for your product is not in Verizon system. Remember - Verizon adds the IMEI when they RECEIVE product into inventory. Product never in Verizon's inventory = not in the Verizon cellular database. The standard Watch App process, calling the customer service line, going to the store are all going to yield the same result - the Apple Watch is not going to connect because the IMEI number is not in the system. No IMEI match means no eSIM assignment and no cellular service. All the pairing, unpairing, resetting, etc is not going to make a bit of difference. Nor will cancelling the service on that line and starting a new service.
Only at the Verizon Engineering support level can an IMEI number be added manually to Verizon cellular database. This is 2 levels above the standard support service and typically take 24-48 hours to activate. Once the IMEI is in the Verizon system (remember takes 24-48 hours to update), you can use the Watch App to activate the cellular service.
You will need to push HARD to get to Verizon's Engineering tech level to get a "ticket" created to manually add the IMEI to their database. I went through 2 Verizon store managers and countless service techs (all of whom demanded to "try" and activate the cellular service before pushing me forward) before FINALLY convincing one to create the ticket.
What is seriously frustrating is that senior Apple Advisors and senior Verizon advisors know this is an issue. The Apple Business team member at my store gave me his business card with a note on it on how to proceed. The Verizon Engineering tech that final fixed my problem told me he does DOZENS of manual IMEI number system adds every day - and he is one of many Engineering techs. But you are not going to find a tech note anywhere explaining this on either company's website.
A few of the Apple folks were far less than helpful - saying it is Verizon's problem. While in some ways that's true, I bought a CELLULAR watch - that Apple says works on Verizon. Apple has some responsibility to help - if in no other way than explaining to an unknown customer what Verizon needs to do.
Bottom line - if you get a replacement Apple Watch from Apple Care+ and you're a Verizon customer, call straight to Verizon and tell them you need to have an Engineering ticket created to have the IMEI added to their database. That is the ONLY way you will get the Apple Watch connected to the Verizon network (unless, for some reason, at particular Apple Watch previously was on the Verizon network before you received it)
Hope this helps others.
Tim
