Can’t erase watch with broken touchscreen + unpaired

Your watch probably erased when you tried from your iPhone. A failed erase message here seems to be misleading, probably because the watch doesn’t reply to the phone (it is no longer paired so it can’t reply). In any case it doesn’t really matter if the watch is going to Apple for repair, because it will be either exchanged or completely wiped in the repair process. If the erase failed your data is still safe behind your passcode and the watch is unusable because the screen is broken, so no passcode entry.

Two more thoughts on this problem.

If you had the watch enabled for Find My iPhone you should be able to do a remote erase if the watch is still detectable. If it can’t be detected it is probably already erased.

A cracked screen is very likely to be “accidental damage” not covered by warranty, so the Apple Store process will probably be a rapid inspection followed by “out of warranty repair, the cost will be £x for an exchange watch, or £y if you want to upgrade to a new Series 3”. My advice is if possible to allow enough time to setup and test the replacement before you leave the store. Most times there are no problems but you have the experts on hand if it won’t play nicely.

Common sense fix your touch screen so you can be able to erase things the question. *****

[Edited by Host]