Yeah, you can count your steps with Apple watches as they all contains numerous features such as health and fitness. For instance, if you have forgotten your iPhone at home or anywhere, you can turn your watch into a pedometer, it will store all the info in it and will sync as soon as it gets into contact with iPhone to get paired up. However, if you are still not satisfied, you can check this article.
https://www.theinternetpatrol.com/h...ometer-without-your-iphone-and-no-extra-apps/