Understanding number in complication messages logo on watch

Hello carolagatge, The back arrow is shown when you click on your Message Compilations. See screenshot. By clicking there the screen will take you to your message display option page. You say you want to show only Unread Messages. Click on that option and you should see my second screen shot and on your Watch Face it will show number of unread messages only.

Hello carolagate, YES you can. On your watch click on messages. I assume it shows All Messages. If you press the top Left back arrow it will take you to the OPTIONS window of Messages. There just scroll down to the bottom and Select Unread Messages. Now on your watch face you should see the number of unread for your messages complication.

Hello carolagate, It looks like you have a Series 4 iWatch. Mine is a Series 5. Series 4 may not of had the option to show different message screens. My wife has a Series 4. When she gets home I'll take a look at it and see if I can show different screen options. Stand-By🤠

Hello carolagate, Yes you are correct. After checking my Wife's iWatch Series 4 the feature to show different message screens is not there. Sorry. If you want this feature looks like you need to upgrade to a new model Apple Watch. Sorry.