Two decades after inventing the world's first wristop dive computer, Suunto has sold its millionth dive unit. The coveted computer, the venerable Suunto D9, arrived on the market in November of 2005, and was recently purchased by Mr. Bob de Graaff of the Hague, Netherlands. Suunto plans to honor de Graaff at the February Duikvaker Dive Show as part of Suunto's 70th anniversary celebration.

De Graaff, already the proud owner of a Suunto Cobra diving device, was shopping at his favorite local dive shop, Fata Aquana for a new dive computer for him, and his wife. Upon purchasing a Suunto D9 for himself and a Suunto Vytec DS for his wife, de Graaff learned that he unwittingly purchased the millionth Suunto dive computer.

De Graaff was then greeted by Suunto Benelux BV Sales Manager Joep Mol. Mol presented the surprised de Graaff with the commemorative-marked Suunto D9, and informed him that he was the proud owner of Suunto's millionth dive computer. De Graaff left the store with the commemorative-marked Suunto D9 and a Suunto Vytec DS for his wife.

The high demand for Suunto dive computers is attributed to their reliable measuring of depth, time, duration of dive, air pressure, and rate of ascent—all the elements essential to the safety and performance of a diver. The information is accessible at any time during a dive, and newer models allow the transfer of dive data to a PC for viewing and comparison. Suunto dive computers are specially formatted to be worn on the wrist, or attached to a high-pressure hose. The Suunto D9 model is unique, as it incorporates a digital compass, and remains the official record-setting device of the International Association for Development of Apnea, or A.I.D.A.

Suunto began manufacturing diving instruments with the introduction of its compasses in the mid-1960's. For Suunto, the dive compass was a natural progression from its hallmark field compasses. The Suunto lore holds that a professional British diver tested a Suunto field compass for personal use underwater. He sent the compass and his suggestions to Suunto, and Suunto subsequently developed a dive compass. The dive compasses were soon followed by a complete range of other diving instruments: pressure gauges, depth indicators, and combo consoles.

Suunto has received numerous honors for its diving line, the most recent accolade was the title of "most popular diving product of all time" awarded to the Suunto Vyper at the Dive Fair in England.

Founded in 1936 with the world's first liquid-filled compass, Suunto is a leading designer and manufacturer of precision sports instruments for diving, mountaineering, hiking, skiing, sailing, training and golf. Prized for their design, accuracy and dependability, Suunto wristop computers combine the aesthetics and functionality of watches with sport-specific computers that help athletes at all levels analyze and improve performance. Headquartered in Vantaa, Finland, Suunto employs more than 500 people worldwide and distributes its products to nearly 60 countries. The company is a subsidiary of Helsinki-based Amer Sports Corporation. More information about Suunto and its products is available online at www.suunto.com.