Limited edition Suunto adventure watch is proof smartwatches can have history

We think of smartwatches as distinctly modern products, lacking the history of a mechanical watch. Unless it’s made by a brand like Tag Heuer or Casio, which bring heritage of their own to the table, how far back can a smartwatch really trace its roots?

Suunto, a brand with more history than you may expect, has launched a special edition of its Vertical 2 smartwatch, which pays homage to its spiritual ancestor, the Suunto Vector which launched in 1998.

Adventure watch

Suunto is best known for its rugged, no-nonsense sporting and adventure smartwatches, but few may be aware of its 90-year history, which it’s commemorating with the release of the Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium Limited Edition.

Based on the existing Vertical 2, it has a 466 x 466 pixel, 1.5-inch AMOLED screen, and a battery which should last up to 65 hours on a single charge while using GPS, or 20 days in standard smartwatch mode.

The case is made from glass fiber reinforced polyamide, the screen is covered in sapphire crystal, and the bezel is made from titanium. It has heart rate tracking, multiple workout modes, and big physical buttons to access all the features.

Tracing its heritage

Although an altimeter, barometer, and compass aren’t top of the high-tech features list on the Suunto Vertical 2, they’re important for other reasons.

Suunto took inspiration for the Vertical 2 Limited Edition’s black-and-yellow color scheme and a custom, throwback LCD-style watch face from the 1998 Suunto Vector, which was the world’s first “ABC watch.”

This means it had an altimeter, barometer, and a compass inside, making it ideal for explorers and adventurers. Subsequent Suunto watches included GPS tracking. All have gone on to become core features inside Suunto’s smartwatches.

Finnish company Suunto’s history goes way back to 1936, hence it is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year with the Vertical 2 limited edition.

Limited numbers

The Suunto Vertical 2 Titanium Limited Edition is a true limited edition, and although they won’t be numbered, only 1936 will be produced. This will be printed on the case back as “one of 1936” models.

It comes in a special commemorative box containing the smartwatch, a silicone and an elastic strap, a special Suunto 90th anniversary magnet, and a Suunto MC-2 G Mirror compass.

The set will be released on March 10 and can be pre-ordered now for $799 through Suunto’s own website. This is the same price as the standard titanium version of the Vertical 2, which comes in two other colors.