Suunto X-Lander 51-XLander Wrist Watch

This gorgeous watch is way more than just a watch. It is definitely a computer strapped to your wrist. I don't have the military version (all black case) but the version I do have is a breathtaking piece of craftsmanship. The brushed aluminum casing has the look of a diver's watch with the bezel, yet the bezel is used for the compass headings. The bezel is very well made, unlike any other type watch I've owned before with a bezel. This one clicks with every increment with the fine workmanship that went into making this great piece. The backing is made of a all-black carbon fiber waterproof plate which has the serial number and the key slot battery access port. The face is either a positive face (a bright background) or the negative face (a dark background). I have the negative face version and, at first, I thought I had preferred the positive face for unknown reasons yet, now that I own this type, I like the negative face version just as well. I guess that depends upon your preference, but at least you have a choice. I usually break out with a slight rash after wearing a watch for a few days...but with this waterproof all-black leather band which came with this version, I hardly break out at all. The only thing that seems to affect me is the stainless steel strap buckle which comes into contact with my wrist. But, I take the watch off to allow my skin "to breath" and I have no problems like I used to. Now for the price...very steep in my opinion. However, once you've had an opportunity to wear this prize for a while, you'll easily be able to justify the cost when you eye the craftsmanship that went into making the Xlander. I tried out the altimeter and I'm still trying to get used to the way it tends to wander off depending, I suppose, upon different variables such as air pressure and temperature fluctuations. The compass is dead on accurate. Even in the places where Suunto recommends that you try not taking compass readings in areas such as buildings, etc... I've taken some very accurate readings in places like WalMart, or out on the road in a vehicle. I live in the desert near the ocean so I doubt there is very much magnetic variations around here like there probably would be in say Denver, near REAL mountains. I usually don't write reviews...in fact, I believe this may be my first; like the Suunto. But, I suppose there is always a first time for everything and if you are in the market looking for a Suunto or similar...take it from me. I've compared this watch with the Casio Pathfinder PAW1500t-7v and I actually prefer the Suunto over the Casio for this one main reason; the length of time the backlight stays on. The Casio has a bright backlight with a very cool feature which "autolights" when you tilt your wrist toward your face, but the Suunto backlight, although subdued, lasts about 10 seconds which is perfect for me to read since my eyesight isn't so good any more. Other than that, it was a VERY TOUGH choice to make but I'm happy with it.

Everyone can check whether the look of the watch is fine for him or not. I own the Suunto X-lander black which is nice to wear even to work but also for outdoor actions etc.

It is very nice watch to wear and surprisingly lightweight because of aluminum carbon case. And that's also the watch's biggest problem. The materials are heat sensitive so the build in thermometer really don't work precisely until you get the watch off the wrist and leave it for few minutes adapting the environment temperature.

Despite it's measurement issue, I like the watch very much because of their second feature - barometer. When hiking, and going out, the weather in mountains changes quickly and when out of civilization there is not weather forecast, you can easily guess whether that day will be raining or not because of athmospheric pressure trend tracking.

Summarizing - it's not just watch, but a tool. :-)

Awesome watch. Only one negative I have which I think was pointed out
in another review I had read is in the main time mode when you push the buttom
to display the seconds, the seconds are only shown for 10 seconds before the watch reverts back to the date. The watch is light weight, and has a much louder alarm than the previous Suunto Observer watch I had. I highly recommend this watch.

Love the watch. Works great both when I´m excersizing and with a suit. I´d recommend it to all! Bought it just to be able to use it cycling, paddeling or running.