Garmin has lifted the curtain on the quatix 8 Pro, a premium marine-focused smartwatch aimed at boaters, sailors, and water sports enthusiasts who spend long stretches away from shore. Positioned at the top of Garmin’s marine wearables range, the new model blends rugged hardware with advanced connectivity designed specifically for life at sea.

Visually, the quatix 8 Pro stays close to the established Garmin marine aesthetic. The watch features a 47 mm titanium bezel paired with a sapphire crystal lens and a 1.4-inch AMOLED screen that delivers high brightness for clear viewing in direct sunlight. Garmin says the display and materials are engineered to cope with harsh marine conditions, including saltwater exposure, spray, and prolonged time outdoors.

The biggest leap forward comes in communications. To address the challenge of losing coverage offshore, Garmin has combined inReach satellite messaging with built-in LTE connectivity. This setup allows users to remain in contact even when travelling up to around 80 kilometres from the coast. Owners can send messages, make voice calls, and access live weather information directly from the watch without relying on a smartphone.

Safety is a major focus of the new model. The quatix 8 Pro includes an SOS feature that enables users to trigger an emergency alert from the wrist. Once activated, the distress signal is routed to Garmin’s кругл-the-clock Response coordination centre, which the company says has already played a role in more than 1,200 successful water rescues worldwide.

Garmin has also refreshed the software experience with a dedicated Boat Mode. When the watch detects that the wearer is on the water, the interface prioritises marine functions such as autopilot control, vessel data, and trolling motor information. Once the user returns to land, the display automatically shifts back to everyday tools like fitness tracking, notifications, and general smartwatch features.

Despite its bright screen and always-on connectivity options, Garmin claims the quatix 8 Pro can last up to 15 days in standard smartwatch mode. Alongside its marine tools, the watch supports continuous health monitoring, contactless payments through Garmin Pay, and more than 100 activity profiles. These include a wide range of water-based sports such as wakeboarding and water skiing, as well as land-based training and gym workouts.

The Garmin quatix 8 Pro will be available in a single 47 mm size and is set to go on sale from 16 January. Pricing is set at approximately $A1,950, reflecting its positioning as a specialised, high-end smartwatch for serious time on the water.