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This rugged Android Wear smartwatch can swim with the fishes and keep ticking

Plenty of smartwatches out there have sports tracking features of some kind, but they’re normally water-resistant rather than waterproof, and they don’t offer much beyond simple fitness tracking. Nixon’s first smartwatch, the Mission aims to be the must-have device for action sports enthusiasts.

Like many other new smartwatches, the Mission is powered by Android Wear and the new Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor. It also has a fully round 1.39-inch AMOLED screen, which is encased in a 316L grade stainless steel and plastic body. Its dual-layer silicon strap comes in a variety of colors, as does the casing. Since it’s running Android Wear, it boasts all the typical smartwatch features like notifications, varying watch faces, and quick access to apps.

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However, perhaps the most important aspect of the Mission is its ability to track all your fitness metrics — even in the most extreme environments. The Mission smartwatch is one of the few smartwatches out there that is actually waterproof with a rating of 10-ATM. With a rating like that, you can take the watch swimming in depths of up to 100 meters or 330 feet. Even Casio’s rugged smartwatch can’t withstand water at those depths — It’s only rated up to 50 meters. As such, the Mission the ideal Android Wear smartwatch for surfers and those who like to be out on the water.

The Mission. Ultra-Rugged and Waterproof. The World's First Action Sports Smartwatch Powered by Google Android Wear™

“With current products splash-proof at best, we knew we had to create a smartwatch that could survive the surf or the first ride down the mountain. We developed the watch in tandem with our world-class surf and snow athletes who lead demanding, rigorous lifestyles,” said Nixon vice president of product in an emailed statement.

Nixon’s watch offers real-time information from services like Surfline, an app for information on surfing conditions; and Snocountry, which keeps tabs on snow conditions for snowboarders and skiers.

Last but not least, the watch supports fitness tracking apps from both Nixon and Trace, which keep track of your workouts and show you statistics from previous workouts. The device is clearly targeted at those who are more set on sports like surfing and snowboarding, but it is sure to be helpful for any kind of workout.

Just as there have always been sports watches and standard watches for every day use, there will be smartwatches for sporty types and those who prefer a more elegant look.  Nixon differentiates itself from the crowd of semi-smart sports watches and somewhat sporty Android Wear watches with its waterproof design and a suite of pre-installed apps for surfing, snowboarding, and other sports.

We’ll keep you updated on price and availability as we learn more information. In the meantime, you can check out Nixon’s site for more details.

Christian de Looper
Christian de Looper is a long-time freelance writer who has covered every facet of the consumer tech and electric vehicle…
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