While a lot of newer consumer-grade watches these days often come with built-in smart features, it should be said that there’s still a good number of brands out there who are dedicated to sticking to tried-and-tested formulas, at least when it comes to timepieces. Take for example Suunto, which recently unveiled the new Suunto Core 2, a watch designed for field adventurers and folks who don’t need all the bells and whistles of a smartwatch.
For Enthusiasts
In fact, the only feature that the Suunto Core 2 shares with smartwatches is Bluetooth connectivity, which is used sparingly as a means to transmit settings to and from your smartphone, in addition to firmware updates every once in a while. That said, the watch’s main highlight is its status as an “ABC” (altimeter, barometer, and compass) watch, made for folks who regularly take on the great outdoors.
Credit: Suunto
In front you’re getting a high-contrast LED dot-matrix display with Gorilla Glass that is 40% brighter than its predecessor, and even comes with a switchable red and green backlight. Inside, the watch comes with updated ABC sensors for more accurate readings alongside an improved storm alarm that cuts down on false warnings.
Other Features and Pricing
That said, the watch is also durable with up to 10 ATM water resistance and MIL-STD-810H military-standard toughness against shock, cold, and heavy downpours. As it’s not a smartwatch, you won’t need to charge it—instead, there’s a user-replaceable battery that can last for up to 15 months (it’s a CR3032 coin cell battery, by the way), which isn’t too bad as opposed to daily charging sessions.
The Suunto Core 2 is now available for $199 in the United States.