Uh, actually that may not be exactly correct. I am sure some attorneys will chime in and give is their opinions (multiply number of attorneys giving opinion by 1.2 and you will have the number of opinions given).Scott M:...Bottom line is they made the product and they are responsible for it no matter what they try to tell you.
The following is my understanding of the issue based entirely on my own life and work experience and does not constitute legal advice, informed advice, knowledgeable advice or even good advice, it is just my opinion.
What is a warranty? A warranty is a written contact between the buyer and seller (there are also laws that specify a product has certain legislated warranties like suitability for its intended purpose etc. and there are implied warranties). They offer the warranty in writting and you accept it by purchasing the product. That said, you have to look to what the warranty says to determine what, if any warranty you have. Many warranties are only to the ORIGINAL purchaser while others transferable.
What makes a grey market item? A product is sold by an authorized dealer to a buyer (usually overseas) who in turn imports it into your country and either sells it directly to the public or to other sales outlets. Why, usually to get around import limitations or other restrictions placed either by governments or the mfg themselves. Sometimes it is to take advantage of price differences like we see with prescription drugs which are cheaper in Canada than the same drug is here in the USA.
If you are buying on the "grey market" you are NOT the original purchaser. The entity that purchased the product from an authorized dealer (most likely overseas) is the original purchaser to who the company owes a warranty. You as a grey market buyer are in fact buying what is technically a used product and you are at least the second and most likely third owner. So unless the warranty is transferable, you have no warranty with the mfg.
By way of example: Grey market was a major issue for me when I was a department head in SoCal for a certain major electronics firm from Japan back in the mid 80s. Their policy at that time was "grey market product equals no warranty period."
The fact that Suunto is a standup company and provided you excellent customer service in spite of it being grey market does not mean that they had a "legal" obligation to do so. Again, it depends upon what the warranty says. Most warranties are limited to the original purchaser.