Do you need the ear buds for the new apple watch?

Hi

In order to be able to listen to music that has been synced to your Apple Watch, compatible Bluetooth headphones or a Bluetooth speaker are required, paired directly to the watch:

• Listen to music on your Apple Watch - Apple Support
• Connect Bluetooth headphones or speakers
• Use Bluetooth accessories with Apple Watch - Apple Support

Synced music cannot be played from the watch's speaker.

Note that Apple Watch does not support using Bluetooth headphones for making or receiving phone calls.

Depends on whether you want to listen to music or not.