Even when a device has already hit the market and its secrets are out in the open, regulatory databases still hold a few surprises.
Months ago, we tracked down a mysterious Garmin filing carrying the model number A05240. At the time, it sent the rumor mill into overdrive. Was it a new watch or a new dive computer? Weeks later, Garmin pulled back the curtain and officially launched the device as the Descent X10 dive computer.
The mystery was solved, the specs were published, and life moved on. But today, looking back through Taiwan’s NCC (National Communications Commission) database, the agency finally unlocked the official exterior photos that Garmin had managed to keep hidden during the initial certification phase.
Even though the Descent X10 is already sitting on wrists and dive boats worldwide, these regulatory photos give us a cool, behind-the-scenes look at the raw hardware layout that Garmin kept under wraps before launch.
What the NCC Photos Show
The newly unearthed filing (tested by DEKRA) features six detailed exterior angles of model A05240 alongside its proprietary charging cable, laid out against standard measurement rulers for compliance documentation.
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The Distinct Form Factor: Unlike traditional round GPS watches, the photos highlight the unique square-ish, rugged block housing designed to withstand extreme underwater pressure while maximizing screen real estate for underwater navigation and dive data.
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Physical Control Layouts: The side and top profiles clearly show the heavy-duty, screw-fastened bezel architecture and physical button positioning built for easy operation with thick neoprene dive gloves.
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The Back Plate & Charging: The rear shot outlines the sensor configuration and proprietary charging port setup, alongside a look at the bundled cable included in the testing bundle.
Better Late Than Never
It is always funny how government certification pipelines work. Companies can launch a product globally, but local regulatory bodies will still drip-feed the official photo documentation weeks or months down the line.
We already know everything the Descent X10 can do underwater, but seeing these raw lab photos is a neat reminder of the paper trail every single piece of gear leaves behind before it ever reaches the public.
Also Read: Garmin’s New Fenix 9 Pro Is Live on Amazon—Here Is What You Need to Know
