Unable to run software update for apple watch 10, without switching to IOS 26

I've just updated my iPhone 13 Mini to IOS 18.7 but due to IOS 26 being available for download, the iphone is now not allowing me to run software updates for my Apple Watch 10. An error is being returned stating "Update iPhone First. To update your Apple Watch, you first need to update your iPhone. You can update your iPhone software in Settings".

I don't want to update my iPhone to IOS 26 yet due to the known issue with draining the battery and my phone is now over 3 years old, so the battery life is not the best anymore. However, the Apple Watch software updates won't even search for a newer software version for the watch without updating my phone's IOS.

Is there a way to keep running Apple Watch software updatesw without updating my iPhone to IOS 26?