Marathon Watches...

September 03, 2019, 06:06 PM

pessimist

Marathon Watches...

quote:
Originally posted by bald1:
I have the original October 2001 contract automatic version. Added the bracelet when they were made available a few years later. It's being serviced currently. Great watch!

Awesome watches. I believe I have the same one but I was able to order it with the bracelet. It has the Canadian maple leaf on the clasp.

September 03, 2019, 09:29 PM

bald1

quote:
Originally posted by pessimist:

Awesome watches. I believe I have the same one but I was able to order it with the bracelet. It has the Canadian maple leaf on the clasp.

There were a few repeat contracts over a number of years for the ETA automatic flavor. The original Oct 2001 contract was for just 200 watches. Quartz models and different sizes along with tritium inserts instead of luminova were introduced in later years.

The caseback will show what contract / year your watch is from pessimist. Most likely 2006 since you were able to buy it with a bracelet.

CountyComm still has a replacement clasp for the bracelet with a USA Great Seal for those wanting to replace the Canadian maple leaf. On sale for $9.50 + SH.

I stayed with the traditional original.

A little history:

"The Canadian Government approached Marathon Watch Company to manufacture a more robust watch for their Search and Rescue Technicians. They requested a watch which could withstand the rigors of work in the most hostile of environments, including Artic conditions. Marathon subsequently contacted the owner of County Comm, Nick, with the required specifications. The goal was to produce a watch which could meet these specs with as low a failure rate as possible and which could provide legibility and ease of use. Nick contacted Bob, a SAR diver and owner of the Military Watch Resource (MWR), and Jim Madrid, a government machinist, to help with the development of these watches. Several prototypes (built by Jim Madrid) were created and tested in a number of severe conditions, which included SAR diving, rappelling, shooting, and climbing. Members of MWR were invited to submit input and refinements, and consequently, the term “Marathon SAR” was coined on the MWR Forum. Marathon has continued to refer to the watch simply as: “Watch, Wrist, Diver, 30ATM“. The first of these watches were delivered to the Canadian Ministry of Defense on 11/16/01.

September 03, 2019, 10:22 PM

bronicabill

quote:
Originally posted by mbinky:
Congrats! I've had my eye on the medium diver for a while. I just love my Seiko SKX013 and I'm not sure it can share wrist time lol.

Don't know the exact model of my favorite Seiko Solar, but will be keeping it as an alternate. Haven't taken the Marathon off since I got it though!

September 03, 2019, 11:03 PM

bronicabill

As requested, here is the lume photo of my Marathon discussed in my OP...

September 04, 2019, 09:12 AM

redstone

quote:
Originally posted by bronicabill:
As requested, here is the lume photo of my Marathon discussed in my OP...

What a phenomenal watch. Dont ever sell it. You will regret it. I know.

September 04, 2019, 09:55 AM

tacfoley

Seems that I can't get a Maple Leaf clasp.....c'mon guys, SOMEBODY must want to swap out their unwanted Maple Leaf for a Great Seal?

Buying MY J-SAR here in UK way back [2007] I didn't have that option

September 04, 2019, 11:30 PM

bronicabill

quote:
Originally posted by <<snip>>
What a phenomenal watch. Dont ever sell it. You will regret it. I know.

Oh, I highly doubt I’ll ever be tempted to sell it! Heck, it hasn’t been off my wrist since I opened the box the other night! It is waaay beyond expectations so far, and I’ll be selling a few watches off because of it!

September 05, 2019, 01:15 AM

bronicabill

Curiosity question:

For those who own a battery-powered quartz movement Marathon... How often do you have to replace the battery? Once annually? Once every two or three years?

I know part of it depends on the quality and freshness of the new battery, so I will add the fact that my preference is for fresh Varta batteries when possible!

September 05, 2019, 01:39 AM

CPD SIG

quote:
Originally posted by tacfoley:
Seems that I can't get a Maple Leaf clasp.....c'mon guys, SOMEBODY must want to swap out their unwanted Maple Leaf for a Great Seal?

Buying MY J-SAR here in UK way back [2007] I didn't have that option

I didn't know they'd be that expensive!!!

https://www.marathonwatch.com/...ariant=7525052448810

https://windycitywatchcollecto...less-steel-bracelet/

https://forums.watchuseek.com/...shipped-4931395.html

I'd call Marathon and see if they have just the clasp.

September 05, 2019, 04:44 PM

9mm_shooter

In black.

September 05, 2019, 05:34 PM

ffips

Thanks for the lume pic.

September 05, 2019, 10:07 PM

HK Ag

I have a 2007 contract T-SAR quartz that I love. Marked US Government and has radioactive symbol on the face. Came with the vanilla band.
Very tough watch. I replace the battery about every three years it seems.
HK Ag

September 06, 2019, 12:30 PM

Modern Day Savage

Watches, especially dive watches and even water resistant watches require periodic maintenance...batteries (non-solar quartz), cleaning/ inspection/ parts replacement, and lubrication (automatic watches), and most reputable makers pressure test these watches after the seals are (regularly) replaced and check/ adjust watch accuracy to regulate to a specification.

Those of you who own Marathon watches, either quartz or automatic watch movements, tell me about the service of these watches. Do you send them to a factory authorized service center, your local jeweler or watch repair tech, or do you work on them yourselves? How frequently do they need service? Any ballpark estimates on regular service costs for the Marathon? If you send them in to be serviced what tests or checks do they perform? Have you ever needed to use the Marathon warranty for repairs and if so how was your warranty experience?

The quartz Luminox that I currently wear runs @ 5-6 seconds fast per month...what kind of accuracy are you seeing from your Marathon quartz and automatic watches?

...also, I realize that Marathon has a reputation for being tough...but just how tough? Would you swing an 8 lb. sledge hammer or use a pick or a post hole digger while wearing a Marathon? How well do they stand up to frequent shooting recoil?

September 06, 2019, 02:41 PM

CPD SIG

Modern, I had to send mine back to Marathon for some service at the beginning of the year.
It wasn't cheap...

I have a Gsar with stainless steel bracelet that's about 7 years old, and pretty much my every day watch. I beat it like a rented mule. The only problems were I stripped the screw on the crown.
My fault- when I screwed it back in, I failed to set it by turning the crown counter clockwise before tightening it up.

I had to re-set it because it ran about 7-8 minutes a month slow.

After the repairs, it's 100% spot on.

Those were the only problems I've had with it. I dive about 5 times a year, nothing deep, but I'm recovering stuff, and it takes a beating there.
I shoot pretty much regularly; pistol, rifles and shotguns. I camp, hunt on occasion, and live a pretty active lifestyle, plus my job.

Occasionally the clasp on the bracelet comes loose, but I can tweak it back with needle nosed plyers. My Marathon holds up really well, and haven't heard any one else complain about them or have major problems with them.

September 06, 2019, 02:53 PM

Sigmanic

quote:
Very tough watch. I replace the battery about every three years it seems.

That's about how often I do too. The watch gives you a warning when the battery is getting low by slowing the second hand such that it only advances in intervals.

September 06, 2019, 02:58 PM

mbinky

I'm curious about the tritium. After if begins to fade does Marathon provide a service to replace it? I realize this would take 12-15 years (like night sights) but eventually it will need to be done.

September 06, 2019, 03:01 PM

quattro_joe

quote:
Originally posted by mbinky:
I'm curious about the tritium. After if begins to fade does Marathon provide a service to replace it? I realize this would take 12-15 years (like night sights) but eventually it will need to be done.

They offer repairs and the prices are not horrible. My GSAR is there now.

September 06, 2019, 08:39 PM

bronicabill

quote:
Originally posted by ffips:
Thanks for the lume pic.

Sure... no problem! Well, one small problem... I had to take it off my wrist to photograph it with my iPhone!

September 07, 2019, 08:18 AM

Modern Day Savage

quote:
Originally posted by CPD SIG:
Modern, I had to send mine back to Marathon for some service at the beginning of the year.
It wasn't cheap...

I have a Gsar with stainless steel bracelet that's about 7 years old, and pretty much my every day watch. I beat it like a rented mule. The only problems were I stripped the screw on the crown.
My fault- when I screwed it back in, I failed to set it by turning the crown counter clockwise before tightening it up.

I had to re-set it because it ran about 7-8 minutes a month slow.

After the repairs, it's 100% spot on.

Those were the only problems I've had with it. I dive about 5 times a year, nothing deep, but I'm recovering stuff, and it takes a beating there.
I shoot pretty much regularly; pistol, rifles and shotguns. I camp, hunt on occasion, and live a pretty active lifestyle, plus my job.

Occasionally the clasp on the bracelet comes loose, but I can tweak it back with needle nosed plyers. My Marathon holds up really well, and haven't heard any one else complain about them or have major problems with them.

CPD SIG, thanks for taking the time to answer some of my questions!

Anyone else able to share their experiences with Marathon maintenance and service related work, durability under harsh use, watch accuracy etc..?