When Suunto released the Suunto 9 model last year they made a big play, at the time, of the watch’s suitability to extreme environments and they, Suunto, stated that the Suunto 9 met these tests/criteria
- Temperature cycling
- Thermal shock
- Shock test ISO1413
- Static pressure 100m ISO22810
- Pressure cycling 66m
- Tumble test (100 drops)
- Seawater test 4%
- Artificial sweat test
- Chlorinated water test
- ESD test IEC 61000-4-2 level 3
- Mechanical abrasion
- Solar radiation
- Immersion
- Contamination by fluids
That’s a nice list but the following video of the Coros APEX from a few months back shows some of the rigours that the devices are put through. Maybe it’s interesting enough for a 60-second watch. These sorts of tests will be done to varying degrees by Polar and Garmin as well, of course. Just that some of the tests are more appropriate for watches that are intended for extreme environments.
I’m trying to see if I can dig out the tests that the Vertix went through. It’s probably a similar list to the Suunto 9
https://the5krunner.com/2021/08/17/coros-vertix-2-review/
Last Updated on 20 January 2026 by the5krunner
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors.
