Looking for the good the bad and the ugly on Marathon brand watches. They check a lot of boxes both in style and function that I like and have been searching for. Reviews seem solid. Just looking for anyone here with real world experience before I spend $1k on a watch.

I’ve not be able to try one in person as the closest authorized dealer is in D.C area. They have a two year warranty. I don’t know much about watches, is that normal or standard?


This is the one I’ve been eyeballing: https://www.marathonwatch.com/...riant=39777488830506

I don't think I've ever heard a criticism of Marathon other than they can be kind of thick, but if you like a chonky watch, that's not a negative. They have a loyal following, even here. Probably see CPDSIG and I think Pullicords chime in on this thread.

I think for what they are, they do fine.

I'm not a watch aficionado or, collector but, I've owned two and have no issues with them. I like the look and feel, and felt the price was appropriate.

I’ve owned a black, automatic GSARS for about 3 years now. Bought it based on many positive reviews on this very forum, followed with some research.
I needed something that I could wear all the time. I do just about everything with this thing on my wrist and only take it off for three activities.
I don’t abuse it but, but I don’t pamper it either. So far it has proven to be a good time keeper and pretty rugged.
I don’t feel that it is chunky like, say a Breitling…

Lots of discussion here on the forum using the search function.

https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...230085394#8230085394

I have had an initial mechanical SAR release (Oct 2001: 6645-21-558-0133) and it continues to perform flawlessly.
Yes, big and chunky but a solid 300m divers watch period.

Actually bought two when first offered by CountyComm on MilWatch forum but flipped one to a guy who missed out of the first 100.





It originally came with a high quality rubber strap but when they offered a solid link bracelet I bought one.

(not my photo)

I wore a GSAR for about a decade, now wear a JDD (though my Sinn gets primary wrist time these days).

Worn them doing real stuff. From cop work to EMS to search and rescue. Flawless, with the exception of the glow marker sticky triangle falling out of the bezel in the GSAR, but that was an easy fix.

Only problem with them is the dang price keeps going up.

The Marathon bracelets are fantastic, though pricey. But very well made. The natural rubber straps have a wonderful vanilla smell. I usually use a Zulu strap on mine, but if the strap is not heavy enough it will dig into you from the weight. I recommend the Countycomm Zulu straps.

I have a GSAR I was issued in the CG. It’s a very nice watch and I wore it for a very long time daily as a cop and a reservist.

It’s pretty heavy, and thick.
The bezel is 41.2mm across
It’s 13.68 thick
The lugs are 20mm
And from tip to tip is 48mm

After a ridiculous experience with a Luminox*, I still wanted a durable quartz model with tritium illumination and after reading how wonderful Marathon watches were, I was delighted to discover the “Officer’s Quartz” model.

Well, it is a good size for my small wrist, it keeps good time, and I can see the hands in the dark—all the things I like. On the other hand, in reading the instruction manual, I discovered its dire warning about using the wrong procedure to change the date setting: Do it wrong, and it will kill the watch, and that’s not covered by the warranty. Although the proper method is more or less described in the manual, my date today shows “25” because it’s simply not worth the trouble to try to ensure that I do it correctly. Why changing the date can’t be as simple as it was with the countless other much less (and more) expensive watches I’ve owned is incomprehensible.

That feature doesn’t quite reach the Luminox level of unbelievable nonsense, but it does annoy me every time I think about wearing it.

* The most over-hyped watch ever!

^^^^^^^^^^
Changing the date setting when the time is between 10pm and 2am is never recommended for watches whether the owner's manual says anything or not. Simply make sure you make changes outside of that window. If you're unsure if your watch is showing around noon or midnight simply move the hands sufficient to see the date change and then observing the caveat above go on from there.

Not a big show stopper.

I had a Marathon and had to sell it a few years ago.

I have been wearing a Deep Blue and have fallen in love with it.

Love mine.
I own a CSAR in black and a Chrono. I've had the CSAR for about 10 years now, the Chrono for around 2.


They are heavy watches. Not ridiculously heavy, but you know it's on your wrist with the stainless steel band on. Somewhere on the Internet is a picture of a Marathon and a Rolex (Submariner?) side by side, there's not much of a difference! The bezel on the Marathon is thicker, which makes it look larger than it is. The 36mm that you're looking at will be lighter.

Durability? Well, the CSAR was my EDC for about 8 years. I do not baby my gear! I use and abuse my stuff. My Marathon has held up to everything and then some. Yes, it's got some scratches, but nothing that can't be buffed out. I had a small problem when I stripped the crown, but that was my fault. Service from Marathon took a little while longer than I wanted, but they also did a little tune up to it.

They appreciate in value.
One of the other Sgts on the team has the 41mm Artic, and it really stands out!

I like the stainless steel band, it looks great with the rubber / silicon band (the Marathon one smells like vanilla), and a NATO band (nylon or leather) works on it as well. You can dress the watch up or down depending on what you want.

Take a look at Windy City Watch Collector. I've got nothing but great things to say about him.

https://windycitywatchcollecto...nment-markings-36mm/

This is who I got my Chrono from, and couldn't be more pleased!

They are excellent time pieces, and you won't be disappointed.
There's a few more people on here that have Marathons, and I have yet to hear anyone say anything bad about them.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CPD SIG,

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:
If you're unsure if your watch is showing around noon or midnight simply move the hands sufficient to see the date change and then observing the caveat above go on from there.

My complaint isn’t about whether I know if the date will change at noon or midnight, but the explicit warning that if the date isn’t changed using the proper method the mechanism will be damaged and I’ll have one more useless piece of expensive machinery. And that’s not a recommendation, it’s clearly stated along with words to the effect of, “If you ignore this warning and kill your watch, don’t come whining to us, because we won’t fix it.”

And recommended or not for whatever reason, I’ve never managed to destroy any other watch I’ve owned as a result of ignoring it.

Holy cow! Can’t believe the price on them now.

Great watches. I still have my Navigator with the nylon band issued to me by the Air Force in 1989 (I think, can’t remember).

Needs to serviced but no idea where to send it.

2002 CY SAR, the original model of the mechanical SAR line (2001 and 2002). They're popular now and pretty damn expensive. Don't know what movement they now use, but mine has a base ETA 2824 that is a solid movement.

Their pricing has left me behind.

RMD

Very good looking watch. Very pricey too, but I'd wear that sucker!!

I love my TSAR, IIRC it is a 2007 contract model w/ the radiation logo, "US Government" marking.
The thick rubber band is durable and smells like vanilla.

I like big watches, so buying a J-SAR was a no-brainer for me. That was in 2009. Never a second of regret. It can be used as a door-stop, wheel-chock, auxiliary dive-weight and tent hold-down, and batteries last, typically, four years. The lume is good for at least four hours - my daily car-carry torch is an exact match for the crystal, so 'topping up' the lume with a ten-second blast is not a problem. If I had some spare watch money handy, I'd buy a G-SAR as a just in case, but right now I'm just a happy J-SAR owner.

Marathon makes great robust tool watches.

I like that they use both quality quartz and automatic mechanical movements which widens their appeal. Marathon along with most everything else has gotten pretty expensive these days. Omega just announced yet another price hike. Yay

I would recommend checking out the German watch company Sinn if you’re not 100% set on a Marathon. Sinn pronounced “Zinn” produces quality military/professional tool watches with a somewhat similar design aesthetic and equally tough as nails build.

If you don’t care about a rotating bezel this is a superb go anywhere do anything watch.
https://www.watchbuys.com/stor...on-Strap-74p4909.htm


I wish Marathon would put their 46mm diver chronograph on a diet and downsize it closer to this 41.5mm Sinn EZM 13.

I've had a TSAR for almost two years. On my wrist every night.