Marathon GSAR Review
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- Опубліковано 10 вер 2024
- The Marathon GSAR is a solid performer, with it's wonderfully deep dial, sizable bezel, and rugged good looks.
In the video (6:00), I refer to the issue of the rotor spinning with the turn of the crown when performing a manual wind. This issue is the lack of lubrication on the ratchet wheel, just behind the automatic rotor mechanism. Here's a link to a video that guided me to fixing the problem. After removing the automatic mechanism, just place a drop of watch oil on the ratchet wheel and other nearby gears on the backside of the rotor. Be sure to oil the posts of all four wheels, not just the ratchet wheel. He removes the bridge. I think that's unnecessary. Just carefully the center posts of each wheel.
LINK: • Video
Here's a link to the WatchGecko mesh bracelet with butterfly clasp.
LINK: www.watchgecko...
1 year in, and I still love my 36mm gsar. The look doesn't grow old, the design is something special. Love how it looks, love how it provides great functionality, love the tactile bezel.
Very good review Dave.
Two things: First that May 2013 Edition was a limited experimental issue by Marathon using the red triangle second hand with the ETA 2824 movement. Very rare.
Second, regarding the bezel protruding significantly from the case, mentioned at 07':38"
of your review; that is due to Military GS-02F-Y0089 contract specification requiring the bezel to be rotated easily with the thick gloves used by the armed forces.
I hope you still have yours, I surely still have mine. Same, May 2013 Experimental issue.
I used to hate dive watches until I got one now they are my favourite watch
I was the same way.
I have the little 36mm version, tough as nails, looks cool and the tritium is brilliant. I have a few watches but will never sell this one!
The watch was (like you said) designed for gloved hands of a real diver ,it just so happens to appeal to desk divers as well. I am glad it is designed this way, as I use my bezel many times a day. I am somewhat OCD with timing
I got this same watch back in July 2020, for $1,152.00 at a reputable seller in NY. Now le me make this clear: I am not a diver, so my only complaint about the watch is purely cosmetic. I love the watch, it is a freaking tank, but mine came with a misaligned bezel insert. If I line up the 12 o’clock marker, the 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 bezel markers are all one second past the dial markers, and the rest of them, past the 6 dial marker, are one second before the dial markers. This does not affect me in the least, functionally speaking, but it is disappointing that a thousand dollar watch gets past QC with such a defect. Other than that it is a wonderful piece.
Well I broke down and ordered the Midsize GSAR and bracelet. Waiting on it in the mail now.
That's awesome! You'll love it. Solid watch!
the bezel over hang is part of the military spec.
Thanks for the thoughts, considering this as my next (and last) piece til I get a luxury piece!
These watches are built like tanks! I got to handle one and had to have one myself.
Pip, Pip, I love the depth too. Awesome watch!!!
I Have this watch. Got it for a trade for a knife from I guys that retired from the Army. Probably the best watch I'll ever own.
Great acquisition! You won't regret it.
I have the same watch. It’s a awesome timepiece .
I have a theory about the bezel overhanging the case. I have a GSAR, too, and it gets some beating on my wrist. It's about +/- 1 second per week in spite of being batted around. I have noticed that sometimes the bezel is turned from "home" (12 o'clock). I believe that the bezel takes the hits to protect the side of the case, and I also agree with your observation that the overhang makes the bezel easier to use in less than ideal conditions. I bought mine used from eBay for about $500 (Jun 2010 date of manufacture), and the previous owner included the invoice for a watch service from Marathon. Also, curiously, the invoice showed a replacement winding stem and mainspring were installed, and I have been told that ETA 2824s don't like handwinding. As I understand it, the 2824 is infamous for having weak winding stems. the Total cost from Marathon for a full service (incl. replacing all gaskets dis/reassembly, and replacement of parts, pressure testing, accurizing) was around $400. As accurate as it is, I have no complaints whatever, and in about 5 years, I will have them service it, seems like money in the bank! Utterly stout, functional, and great all around watch!
Excellent observations. I've stopped handwinding my 2824s altogether. I had to return my Christopher Ward for repair because gears started slipping inside the movement when I would wind it, and that was after having the watch only three months. They say the 2824 is a "workhorse" of a movement, but I guess handwinding isn't a part of that. My Japanese movements haven't given me any trouble, but these 2824s need a little TLC.
revdave61 I concur. The 'workhorse' connotation comes largely I believe from the fact that it's been in production for so long, and that it's appeared 'under the hood' of many brands. I have an older Tissot Seastar automatic with the same movement and it also has been superbly accurate and has the added bonus of having a display back and a 300m rating. If you can find one, it's a very nice watch; mine is out for service and some mods. I'm getting the bezel modded and having it relumed, with the lume being made bigger, thereby clearing up my only issues with the watch. However the GSAR is perfect, and my next purchase will be a Marathon JDD, because 'bigger is better'.
Dave, if you like the deep/tall bezel (like I do), then you will also like the Seiko Marinemaster 300 (MM300). It too has drilled lugs for easy strap change.
I like the Arctic version. I'm about to acquire one. Thanks for the vid.
I enjoyed this review, thanks Dave. There are many out there with more likes that are not nearly as good as this one.
Alan Walker - Alan, that's very kind. Thank you!
I bought the watch after your review.
I have the quartz version with the Marin corps bracelet, it has April 2011 on mine. I love it
Hi I’m waiting on my tsar to be delivered and I had a question? I saw the pins holding the bracelet or rubber strap in my case that hold the band on has no rim to place a tool on the pin as to push it in to release the pin from the watch?
Marathons have the best longest lasting vanilla smelling rubber straps on the market. I have one Marathon Rubber Strap that is going on two years old and it still has a nice vanilla sent.
However, come next payday, I will be ordering and installing a Strapcode Engineer l SS Bracelet on my 41mm GSAR Automatic. And Yes, mine easily wears under the cuff of a long sleeved shirt. I too would prefer a 22mm lug width....but no other changes!
That’s crazy I just smelled the strap and it does smell like vanilla😂
Excellent review!! Class act.
GMT function and black calendar wheel would clinch it for me. Chronometer movement would be desirable. Also, non reflective coating. Maybe this could be an aftermarket mod. Dave, tend to agree with your comment on watch case size.Good review.
Are you still liking that GSAR? I'm considering that tall profile vs. the Sinn 104.
The bezel ring stands proud of the case so that it can be wound with gloves on, you know, gloves like infantrymen wear, helicopter pilots wear, tank drivers wear.....
" I'll Always Love 'me' Neal Patrick Fry "
I like the Stainless Steel bracelet that
Matches my Stainless Steel Stent in my
Heart.
"EYE" have a Stainless Steel Horse Shoe
Earing on my left ear, with 34 Tattoos "SEW"
my Surgent doesn't say " Oops. "
" You're Really Cool my Buddy "
" Take Good Care Always, "
Neal Patrick Fry from a Glorious Ghetto,
getting ready to move to Downtown Detroit.
Informative video.... you stated that this is that the 41mm size, what size wrist do you have?
Eric Levine - my wrist size is 7.25". Hope that helps. The GSAR is a fantastic piece that looks big but really isnt.
Your GSAR looks different than other watches. You don’t have a tritium vial on the second hand.
Are the newest contract models supposed to have the manufacturer date on the back?
damn you got a big wrist. I just got the black version yesterday. SUPER excited/
What is the material of bezel ?
Would it look terrible on a jubilee?
Did you ever buy this back? I think I liked your collection best man when you had the Speedy, Marathon, and Christopher Ward.
No, I never bought it back. Yes, that's a great trilogy of watches, and one I was very happy with. Now, my collection is Omega (Aqua Terra, Speedy, and SMPc) and Hamilton with a few Seikos thrown in.
Nice review of a nice watch
This is the full size Gsar? Mine does not have the Orange tip second hand like yours.
I think some of the older ones had a white rectangular tip with a tritium tube (or maybe it was lume). But mine is the larger one.
That second hand appears to be used in the quartz version. Wondering if it could have been rebuilt using a different second hand?
I love the brighter orange of what you have. Just can't find any supporting pictures online of the GSAR with that second hand.
Bezel over hangs to enhance the access of the bezel in my opinion.
Would you like to sell this watch?
I am interested. Thanks😊
Wait, were you the guy who wrote the wife chart?
Who makes the mesh strap that fits your watch ?
I believe that came from Watchgecko.com. But it appears they have discontinued that particular bracelet.
Very nice diver.. This could be in a "two watch" collection... Use this as a beater, sports.. and then pick up one dress watch.. and You're done... I've always liked the marathons, just dont have room for them in my collection atm.. too many sports watches and divers tbh.. ALTHOUGH, they are overpriced... many microbrands offer better deals for 2824s in great cases
If only the Marathon had a ceramic bezel...
A nice sapphire bezel would be nice too.
What size are your wrists?
7.25 inches.
I want to buy a GSAR, but the price is now $1000, more than I'm willing to spend for a "better watch," which is what I would use it for. I bought the Medium when it was on sale for $600, but was way too small even for my 6.75" wrist. A co-worker owns the TSAR; it's a scratch magnet, but still the scratches seem to add character - unlike most watches.
Sounds like the price for new. I would definitely pick this one up used. Most GSAR's used can be found for under $600. Mine wasn't a scratch magnet, fortunately, which meant that even though it was used, it looked as good as new.
I’ve never heard of a sapphire scratch magnet.
Hello, would you like to sell your GSAR?🙏🏻
Sadly, I sold this to buy my Speedy. It's the only watch regret I have and the only watch I have ever sold that I'd buy back if I could. Sadly, the price of these have gone up quite a bit since I had mine. But I highly recommend the GSAR!
Man you have huge wrists, It looks good don't get me wrong but on your wrists a Jsar / JDD / Csar would look the part.
Bro how big is your wrist?!
7.25"
Too small. I have the JDD 46 and even that wears small. How the heck are grown men wearing a 36?!?!?
This is a 42, I believe.
41
It is very functional and utilitarian because it is meant to be a tough piece that you can rely on in _any_ situation. AFAIK Marathon only delivers to governments and militaries.
Looks tiny... Have the jsar and thoght it was going to be huge... Not so at all.
If there was ever a design that deserves to be large and in charge, it's this one. I too was surprised at how small it was. I did not keep it for that reason.
I have to agree with you on the bracelet... It's amazing... Jist got it... Really looks way better in person... But can't figure out to remove the bracelet... There werre no visible spring bars from what I recall I'd love to be able to change it out for the weekend
@@DavesWatchLove you sold it? You should probably put a follow up out since people are buying it because of how great you said it looked. I knew it was too small for you 10 seconds into the video. 36 is a bloody ladies size. Even my 46 looks small.
if you wear it in the shower, the paint comes off the bezel. kinda shitty to be a dive watch.
I felt on sleep.. Sorry. It is informativ... But boring.. Have a good day!