Suunto has unveiled the Core 2, a rugged upgrade to its iconic ABC watch, featuring brighter display, longer-lasting battery, and increased water resistance, catering to outdoor enthusiasts seeking resilience and essential navigation tools.
Suunto has updated one of its best-known ABC watches with the launch of the Core 2, a tougher and brighter successor to the original model first released in 2007. The Finnish company says the new version keeps the familiar outdoor focus of the line, but adds a more durable build, improved readability and a longer-lasting power system for hikers and other users who spend time away from chargers and mobile signals.
The Core 2 retains the core trio of tools that define this category: altimeter, barometer and compass. According to Suunto, it is aimed at hikers, backcountry campers, anglers and overlanders who want basic navigation and weather awareness rather than a full GPS smartwatch. The company says the watch now uses Bluetooth connectivity, while also preserving the self-reliant character that has long distinguished ABC watches from connected wearables.
Suunto says the new model is built to a MIL-STD-810H durability standard and is rated to 10 ATM, or 100 metres, which is a substantial increase from the original Core’s modest water resistance. The LED dot-matrix display is said to be 40% brighter than before, with a choice of red or green backlight. Battery life is another major change: Suunto says the replaceable CR3032 cell can last up to 15 months, and users can swap it themselves.
The watch also adds practical outdoor functions such as sunrise and sunset times, moon phase, dual time, stopwatch, countdown timer and daily alarms. Suunto says the Core 2 launched globally in July 2026 and is sold through its website and authorised retailers at $179. The company has not yet announced a Japanese release, although the original Core remains on sale in some markets.
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