I have a Marathon GSAR that was issued to me back in 2008. It’s losing time..not exactly sure how much but more than a minute a week. I haven’t been wearing it much like I used to.

Should I send it to Marathon for servicing?
Or is there anyone here who can do it?

I’d rather give my money to someone here than someone I don’t know.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MikeinNC,

Have you thought about contacting Dave Truong?

Just contact Marathon to send it back for servicing. They can redo the tritium lume on it for you while it's there.

Man I can only speak from painful experience. I recommend sending watches back to their original manufacturer if they are a nicer brand like Marathon.

I let my local Authorized Dealer service my 1999 Omega Seamaster Professional Chronograph (the same one Bond wore in Tomorrow Never Dies) and it’s one of my biggest regrets in my life. Those dishonest fuckers ruined my watch.

Send it to Marathon.

There was some kind of problem with marathons CS I have heard, which is why I was looking at something else. Don’t know what the issue is, wether it’s resolved or not.

I’m not a watch guy, that’s why I was asking you

Mike, third party authorized service centers can often service a watch just fine but I look at it his way. If they are able to manufacture the watch they are probably the best pace to get it serviced. For Omega, Rolex & Tudor I wouldn’t let anyone but the manufacturer touch it. Marathon is a good brand that is not on the same level as the previously mentioned brands but is still a VERY good boutique brand in my eyes.

If it were me I’d be sending it back to them **if** I contacted their customer service and was happy with their response regarding service work/cost and their ability to answer my specific questions about the service.

This is coming from someone who likes to engage brands C/S to see how receptive they are to dealing with potential issues before I even buy their brand. This is how Doxa, Ball, Helm, Zelos and Sinn won me over as a fan/enthusiast of their brand. If they are not willing to stand behind their product and service their product what good are they?

Jack Alexyon at Industrial Watch. He has a back log so be prepared to wait.

I called Marathon about changing a bezel insert on my watch. They wanted me to send the watch to them and then wait 6 weeks. Its a simple task and I just wanted to know if the bezel could be removed without damage. Kind of Rolex-like in terms of their attitude.

RMD

You said the watch was issued to you in 2008. That make it almost 15 years old.
I am going to guess it has never been serviced. All it might need is a cleaning and lubrication of the movement.

If it is a ETA 2824 movement in the watch any watch maker should be able to service it. It looks like the newer models have a Sellita Caliber SW200-1 movement witch is similar to the ETA movement.

If it were me I would do as some others have mentioned and contact member Dave Truong first. He should be able to point you in the right direction if it is something he can't do.

Loosing time could be something as simple as the oils on the pivots and other areas on the movement are gumming up due to their age.

6 weeks lead time for service work even simple stuff unfortunately is pretty much industry average.

It’s been closer to 8 weeks the last few times I’ve sent watches in for repairs and service work.

I have a really good watch service center not far from my home that I have used to service some high end watches including a Rolex. That said, I have a Panerai in need of servicing that will go to David Truong when I get around to sending it. I trust him 100 percent to get the service done, he knew exactly what the issues were and what needed to be done. It’s an $800+ job and I have other watches I wear so it hasn’t made the top of my list.

A minute a week for a mechanical watch isn't too far out of spec (if at all), unless it is a super high end brand. Marathon isn't that. I don't know what movement is in there, but a mid grade ETA is a good guess. Any good watchmaker should be able to clean and lube it but remember that a brand new ETA movement costs about $200, so a lot of expensive repair is hard to justify.

I would personally send it back to Marathon.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
I recommend sending watches back to their original manufacturer if they are a nicer brand like Marathon.

This is solid advice. It may cost a bit more and take a little time but in general the results will be solid.

And don't wait 15 years for the next time.

Emailed marathon for work order. We will see.

I just recently serviced one that had a broken train wheel pinion.

It uses H4 pinion movements like Ball does.

Send it off to Marathon.

I may be incorrect, but a quick Google tells me it's a Sellita caliber SW200-1 movement. To quote caliber corner, in addition to the GSAR, this movement is in "too many to list" watches. https://calibercorner.com/sellita-caliber-sw200-1/

I'd just send it to WatchMann. They probably do three of them a week. I've used WatchMann multiple times. Inexpensive, fast and effective. Your mileage may vary.

https://www.watchmann.com/

quote:

Originally posted by r0gue:
I may be incorrect, but a quick Google tells me it's a Sellita caliber SW200-1 movement.

https://www.watchmann.com/

Probably not if its 15 years old. Bet you a dollar its an ETA 2824-2. As others have said, a salt-of-the-earth movement any comptent watchmaker should be able to service.

RMD

I just dropped it off at fedex. I’m not excited, the counter girl couldn’t figure out how to value it at $1200 for insurance reasons. Dude had to come in from the back and explain to her high dollar items can’t go ground and have to be signed for.

quote:

Originally posted by rduckwor:

quote:

Originally posted by r0gue:
I may be incorrect, but a quick Google tells me it's a Sellita caliber SW200-1 movement.

https://www.watchmann.com/

Probably not if its 15 years old. Bet you a dollar its an ETA 2824-2. As others have said, a salt-of-the-earth movement any comptent watchmaker should be able to service.

RMD

You're right. Here's a thread from 2010 and they were ETA then. Same result though, common and serviceable by anybody. All this said, you cannot go wrong if you wish to send it back to Marathon. A little more money, but if it gives you peace of mind, I totally get it.

https://www.watchuseek.com/thr...vement-grade.427866/