Next year marks a pretty special milestone for Suunto — 90 years since the brand first began. That’s almost a century of exploration, design, testing, and fine-tuning tools for people who love venturing into places most wouldn’t dare. Whether that’s the frozen tundra of Finland, mountain trails, or the silent blue of the ocean, Suunto's gear has been trusted by those who take their adventures seriously.
If you’ve ever strapped on a Suunto dive computer, you’ll know what I mean — that solid, reliable feel that makes you trust it before you’ve even descended. But how did a small Finnish company end up becoming such a name in diving? Let’s take a look.
From the Snow to the Sea
Suunto's story starts in 1936 with a Finnish engineer named Tuomas Vohlonen, who was fed up with the inaccuracy of traditional compasses. He invented a way to fill a compass with liquid, which stabilised the needle and made it far more precise — a small tweak that changed outdoor navigation forever.
That invention kicked off Suunto's journey. At first, they were all about land exploration — mapping, skiing, trekking. But it didn’t take long before the company’s obsession with accuracy and durability made waves (literally) in another world: diving.
In 1965, a British diver realised that his Suunto compass still worked underwater when strapped to his wrist. That simple discovery inspired Suunto to start developing purpose-built dive instruments. By the late ‘60s, Suunto was officially in the dive business — and things took off from there.
The Dive Computer That Changed Everything
Fast forward to 1987, when Suunto released the SME-ML, one of the first commercially available dive computers. Imagine what that meant for divers back then — no more juggling dive tables or tracking residual nitrogen manually. It was a game-changer, and Suunto was leading the charge.
From that point on, the brand became synonymous with progress in dive technology. Year after year, they refined and redefined what a dive computer could do — making them smaller, smarter, and more intuitive.
By the early 2000s, Suunto had developed the D9, the first wrist-sized all-in-one computer with a digital compass and wireless air integration. That was another huge leap forward — and it set the tone for the next two decades of innovation.
Built Like a Dive Buddy You Can Rely On
There’s something about Suunto gear that feels… reassuring. Maybe it’s the Finnish engineering — rugged, minimalist, built to endure. Or maybe it’s knowing the company still designs and tests its products in Finland’s harsh conditions, where precision isn’t optional.
Divers tend to trust brands that have proven themselves in real-world conditions, not just on paper. And Suunto's track record speaks for itself: whether you’re diving in the icy fjords of Norway, a quarry in the UK, or the coral gardens of the Philippines, Suunto's computers have been there — and they’ve lasted.
The design language has evolved too. The early blocky models gave way to sleek, modern wrist units that look as good topside as they perform underwater. The technology has advanced — think air integration, bright colour screens, multi-gas support, and connectivity — but that same “trust it with your life” reliability has stayed the same.
The Modern Era: Where Tech Meets Adventure
If you’ve been diving in recent years, you’ve probably seen a Suunto D5 or EON Core glowing on wrists around you — or the newer Suunto Ocean, which blurs the line between dive computer and multi-sport smartwatch.
Each one carries that Suunto DNA: intuitive menus, sturdy design, and an interface that feels like it was made by someone who actually dives (because it was).
Let’s give a quick nod to a few of their standouts:
- Suunto Ocean – The newest and most advanced in the lineup. It’s not just a dive computer — it’s a full-blown sports watch with over 95 activity modes, a crisp display, and wireless air integration via the Tank Pod. Whether you’re tracking a dive or a trail run, it does both beautifully.
- Suunto D5 – The sweet spot for many divers. It’s got a bright display, intuitive interface, and customisable watch straps. Perfect for divers who want something stylish yet serious.
- Suunto Zoop Novo – The classic first dive computer. Easy to use, reliable, and bulletproof — it’s the one that’s been on countless wrists during Open Water courses worldwide.
- Suunto EON Core – Compact, feature-packed, and clear as day underwater. A favourite for recreational divers stepping into more advanced territory.
- Suunto Vyper Novo – Tough, straightforward, and trustworthy — a great option for divers who value simplicity but still want advanced capabilities.
- Suunto Tank Pod – A small but mighty bit of kit that wirelessly transmits your tank pressure straight to your Suunto dive computer. Once you’ve used one, it’s hard to go back.
Each of these models tells a story — a progression from simple depth and time tracking to full dive-planning ecosystems that sync with your phone and log every dive automatically.
Meet the All-New Suunto Nautic — The Future of Diving
And now, the excitement doesn’t stop — Suunto has just launched its brand‑new Nautic dive computer, and it’s a bold leap into the future of diving technology. With a huge, crystal‑clear AMOLED display, support for multi‑gas and sidemount diving, wireless air integration, and even topside features like GPS, tide info, and weather updates, it’s more than a dive computer — it’s an all-in-one adventure companion. Yet even with all this cutting-edge tech, it still carries the trustworthy precision and reliability that Suunto has built over 90 years. For divers who want the ultimate combination of performance, versatility, and Suunto heritage, the Nautic is the next chapter in a story of exploration and innovation that started all the way back in 1936.
Why Divers Keep Coming Back to Suunto
There’s a reason Suunto's loyal following spans generations. Ask around at any dive shop or on a liveaboard, and you’ll find divers who’ve been using the same Suunto for years — maybe even decades. They’ll tell you it still works perfectly, and that’s probably true.
Suunto has never tried to chase trends. Instead, they focus on building tools that last, and that philosophy resonates deeply with divers. Because when you’re 30 metres down, you want gear that’s simple, accurate, and won’t let you down.
That quiet confidence is something Suunto has earned over time. It’s not about flashy features or marketing hype. It’s about trust built through experience — dive after dive.
Where to Find Your Next Suunto
If you’re looking to get your hands on one, Mike’s Dive Store is a great place to start. We’ve been diving with these computers ourselves for years and can actually help you choose based on how you dive — not just what’s newest or flashiest.
Whether you want a rugged entry-level computer like the Zoop Novo, something versatile and connected like the Ocean, or the latest Nautic, we’ll make sure you get set up right. And if you ever need updates, spares, or advice, we’re here — diver to diver.
Ninety Years and Counting
As Suunto approaches its 90th anniversary, it’s worth pausing to appreciate what that really means. Ninety years of exploration, invention, and reliability. Ninety years of making tools for people who go beyond the ordinary — on land, at sea, and underwater.
It’s a legacy you can feel every time you strap one on before a dive. That quiet reassurance, that connection to decades of adventure and precision engineering — it’s all there in every Suunto computer.
Here’s to Suunto's next 90 years. And to every diver who trusts them to help explore the blue.
If you’ve ever owned a Suunto, you’ll know it’s not just another gadget strapped to your wrist — it becomes part of your dive story. Whether it’s logging your first breath underwater, guiding you through a dark wreck, or keeping you safe on a deep drift, Suunto quietly does its job without fuss. That’s what makes the brand special — it’s built by people who understand what it’s like to depend on your gear when you’re 30 metres down and a long way from the surface. Ninety years on, that same trust and craftsmanship are what keep divers coming back — dive after dive, generation after generation.
