This watch looks good but after owning one for 2 years i can honestly say that it's a poor performer.
The alarm is indeed a joke but i never bought mine for that function.
The altimeter is indeed accurate but needs too much calibration otherwise it's way off.
The setup and functions are NOT logical, you keep struggling to find the proper functions simply due to ill placed buttons.
For instance the right top button is the main menu selector, while on most watches that is the lower left button.
While moving your hand the menu button is pressed too often and instead of showing the time you will find yourself in the altimeter setting or another function.

The stopwatch is hard too read, especially if you are running as the display is again not set up logically.

You can replace the battery by yourself, well that is the idea but it's hard when you insert a coin to twist open the battery hatch and you find out that the plastic used is too soft and you simply damage the 'slot' and it becomes wider and wider as plastic keep stripping off.

The titanium wristband is nice but the security 'clip' that secures it flips open too often while in action.

In short, a VERY expensive watch that simply justify the extra costs.
The typical Suunto setup (menu/function) make it even inpractical and a nuisance at times.

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The only thing holding me back initially from buying this watch was the reviews about the alarm being weak. What good is a watch if you can't hear the alarm right? Dont sweat it, its fine. I'm a military guy and half deaf from all the noise we encounter and it wakes me up just fine. Yes, it is hard to hear if it is under your coat and you are in a crowd, but otherwise it is sufficient. The owners manual is not as bad as they say it is either, plenty of pictures to follow along. You do need to calibrate the compass every once and a while (after being around large metal objects, like, say a tank). Altimeter works well. Just like all other wathces you need to take the watch off your wrist for 10 min or so before the temperature is accurate. I have the titanium version and love it, looks good enough to wear out to dinner, yet durable enough to work with. Crystal is protected by the bezel so it has not scratched on me yet. The only cons I have is the elastomer band is kind of cheesy with the Titanium inlays and it does not have a count-down timer.

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1st wrist computer.

Good watch. Cons: Alarm is VERY quite (probably to make room for the rest of the electronics). Compass never seems to be accurate (even if magnetic variation is set). I think it is just pretty sensitive to tilt. Gives good general direction though. The watch could also use some count down to beep feature as well. Pros: Altimeter/Barometer are amazing. I took them up flying with my in a C-172 and they agreed with the plane's altimeter within a few feet. Vertical speed has some lag though. It is nice the timer goes for something like 24 hours, (unlike a lot of watches which restart after 1 hour). The thermometer appears to be quite accurate provided you take it off your wrist and leave it for about 15 min as suggested. This watch is meant for truely outdoors type people. If you are a geek who just wants it because it is cool, it will probably get old quick.

Have used the Suunto Observer(SS and elastomer strap v.) for about 2 years now. Picked it for its looks, features, perceived manufacturing quality and yes, snob value cos hardly anyone on India seems to be aware of it, let alone possess one. My impressions so far- the features are by and large whatever is claimed, with the exception being the altimeter, where I have needed to reset the baseline very regularly. I am not sure if this is warranted if there are no dramatic weather changes, or the watch is very sensitive and is reflecting actual barometric changes. Or am i missing something here ? The alarm is of course intended for those minority of bats, dolphins, elephants who do have the opportunity to use the Observer. The compass function is quite accurate and has never given inaccurate readings and have never observed any drift either. Build quality is where sadly, I feel I have been let down, though the overall finish is superlative for a sub$ 500 watch. My watch fell down onto tile floor, a 3 ft drop and the MODE button is malfunctioning ever since. Though the light which uses the same button still functions, I cannot switch between modes and am stuck in time mode only. Go figure ! The time is still accurate, so I can still wear the thingie. But I thank every day that goes by without someone asking me to show em the different functions :-)

Customer Service

Suunto had no explanation for this w/o seeing the watch, but informed that this is not a "common" problem. Suunto does not have a service centre in India, so I will have to take it with me to a service centre abroad whenever I travel out next. Else, I have to Fedex it at my cost to Finland and pay customs duty when it reenters India.

Looks nice. The "metal" bands are useless. The metal is an overlay that causes a week point in the plastic. Two have broken since getting the watch two years ago. The compass is not reliable and may cause you to get lost. The alarm is too weak. Lastly, it's not that much smaller than a Casio. I expected much better from Suunto.

I like it becasue its different. I was looking for a new watch for years, I wanted something a bit different, diddnt/couldnt want to pay lots for a TAG/ROLEX type thing but also diddnt want a casio or sekonda. Every year I go on a car driving holiday round the Alps in europe, like the Gumball but only for Lotus cars. I need a good light coz there is no light in my car, a compas to naviagte and the altimter to see how fast I can drive up the mountain. The watch does it all and more besides. I think looks are good, I bet I never see anyone else waring one, and I expect it to last. However the alarm is useless!

Customer Service

NA

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NA

Recently I decided to treat myself to a Titanim Observer. Folks, the alarm on the watch is a scandal! It was so quiet I thought it was not working. I can't think of a more important item on ANY watch than an alarm, especially on a mountaineering watch: I need an alarm to rise a 4 AM to hit the peak by sunhit. I need an (altitude) alarm to look for the trail at 9,000 feet. And I need to hear this alarm when I wear my ski hat or when the wind howls. The Observer's weak alarm makes this watch useless outside the coffee shop. (My watch is back at the store.)

Customer Service

I hope SUUNTO checks this website and gets this watch a hell of an alarm. To write in the manual that the volume of the alarm cannot be adjusted, is kind of pathetic. Take the watch of the market and fix the problem.

Good: Great Display, I haven't had any trouble reading it Easy to use, after you review the manual it's pretty easy to use Bomberproof, I've beat up many watches climbing and so far this one is holding up better then I do Functions, I love the Barometer and compass and look forward to using the altimeter when I'm not in Florida Buttons, Great, even with gloves on! Bad: It is a little on the large side, I couldn't see any women I know wearing this watch Pricey! I don't love the watch band, but I have gotten over that Ugly: Pricey! THE ALARM IS HORRIBLE! Overall: I truly like this watch, but it truly needs a better alarm! Let's face it no one "Needs" this, but it is a ton of fun to use.

Customer Service

Unknown

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Performs well, looks fantastic. Buy one. As an all round watch it cannot be fauled at the price.

I've taken this watch on several backpacking and skiing trips and I love it. On the backpacking trips I've gone off-trail and used the compass - it worked flawlessly. Recently a buddy and I missed a trail and got all turned around. We used this watch in conjunction with the map to right ourselves. Nice compass! Since I work around a lot of electronic gear (computers) I sometimes have to calibrate the compass... The altimeter is accurate to 30 feet (as long as the barometric pressure remains constant). I've noticed that it gets very inaccurate with large changes in altitude (i.e. a 5000 foot change while driving to the trailhead), but it hasn't been a problem for me. Yes, the alarm is very quiet.. I don't care... When backpacking, the bright morning sun wakes me up. Like other multifunction watches, you gotta read the manual (RTFM) a bit to understand the dern thing. Other than being a bit pricey, I like this watch A LOT!

Customer Service

Haven't called customer service.

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