Apple Watch trade in called a “demo unit”

Apple has the right to refuse any item traded in. You may want to try walking into an Apple Store and talking to one of the Apple Geniuses or a store manager. They will probably be in a better position to explain what’s going on.

Are you trading in because you purchased another Watch?

If you have your original receipt, check it and see if there is anything that would indicate that the Watch was anything other than new. If not, you can call Apple Store Support and discuss the issue with them, if you think the effort is worth it for what is probably a very small trade-in value. Without an original receipt, then you really don't know what AT&T actually sold you, so you'll just have to accept what you were told re. the trade-in being refused.

Regards.

At the store level a lot can be seen about the history of the watch. I’m a form Apple store manager and I know what I could see. A current or former AT&T corporate employee might be able to shed light on the history of the Watch. Reddit has an AT&T subreddit that might also be a good place to ask.

If you go the Apple route, please make an appointment first to avoid long wait times.

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple

Support Options - Apple

How did you come by the Watch? Did you purchase it from Apple or who exactly?