Reviews for Suunto Observer

I give the watch 3.5 stars but the band one, so, Observer, you get 2 stars overall.

I've had my Observer for probably six years now and have had little problem with it but have come to accept its drawbacks. Quickly reviewing other comments, I concur that the alarm is a joke (it's never succeeded in waking up this light sleeper) and I find it frustrating that the altimeter and barometer cannot be used at the same time. It seems to be a very sensitive instrument and you have to be certain to recalibrate the altimeter each day, otherwise changes in barometric pressure will throw it very far off in no time. Compass is the same thing. It works great but you have to recalibrate after walking too close to generators or anything else with a motor strong enough to make it go haywire (you'd be surprised how often this happens).

But my real complaint is the band. The simple elastomer band broke after the first year, so I replaced it with the much more handsome stainless band, thinking that if it's stainless, it must be stronger. Unfortunately the metal is only cosmetic (and more expensive) and does nothing to reinforce the band. Also, Suunto will not warranty the band, so you're stuck buying a new band every two years.

Don't waste your time on the expensive band!!

Had the Observer for 3-4 years now and used it for daily wear during prescribed fire and wildland fire operations. The barometer is within a half inch of mercury of official weather stations at all times. I wish I could use the altimeter and barometer at the same time. Both are important to the job. The compass sucks. It needs to be constantly re-calibrated. Time function works well. I find the chronometer to be very awkward to operate and wish it were easier. Temp is accurate when not on wrist but it is pretty useless otherwise. As others have said the band is a major weak point. Suunto, please make a new updated Observer. I will buy it, especially if barometer and altimeter can be used at the same time.

Comments from The Staff:

Thank you so much for your review. Thank you for sharing your suggestions and thoughts on the Observer watch. As a Suunto authorized retailer, we will gladly share your feedback with Suunto so they can take into consideration your suggestions!br>
Thanks,
Melissa T.
(SuuntoWatches.com)

Had the Observer for over 6 years. Replaced the Titanium band once. very Expensive in Australia. The watch has been repaired for the same fault twice and the alarms are a joke. Very quiet and useless. Otherwise a great watch and very stylish and very accurate in all functions.

I have had this watch for 4 years and love it's accuracy and durability. I have used it from Greenland to Antarctica and it works great. I did have a problem with erratic performance with a department store replacement battery. It worked perfectly when I replaced with the battery in the Suunto kit. The band is another story. It failed early, quickly, and often. I am lucky that I have not lost the watch as a result. At $42 to replace it is ridiculous that they have not fixed this problem yet. The alarm is also worthless but I find that to be less of issue for me since they never work for me under heavy clothes or in the wind.

I've had my watch for 4 years. It's a great watch but the band is another matter. I'm on my 3rd band...

I have had the Suunto Observer for 4 years. I love the watch. It has the ultimate altimeter with resolution and update rate required to be used as an altimeter for skydiving. This has been my primary altitude device for last 4 years and it has never given me any problem reading altitude or time. If you are a skydiver, base jumper or a climber this is the altitude gadget ! Any of the bands may work as they are based on a rubber band sole, so it is safe to wear....

SUUNTO should be aware (see reviews on your site) by now that the band is a problem. I have replaced 3 bands since 2001/2 when I bought the watch...The watch itself is just great. I have done 4 extreme adventure races with it and it works excellent. My friend refers to my watch as the watch that can give time too".

I really love this watch...It is a great, everday outdoor watch for all activities and it looks good.Very useful functions and very resisitant and quite unbreakable. My Observer has quite a few scratches but it still working fine. However the band just could not keep up. I simply bought a new leather band and made it fit. True, it is not as good looking as the ss band but it does the job. I only wish for Suunto to offer an all ss band. I can hardly wait to buy another!!!