My recently deceased step-dad bought me one of these a few years ago for Christmas because we both watched a video of The Urban Gentry review it. I wear it to work everyday on film sets because the job can be pretty hard on any watch. It has some significant gouges now but the plastic case hides them pretty well. The acrylic crystal on the other hand doesn't hide marks very well and actually looks quite hazy because of all the scratches. The tritium is great however on days where we're in a dark studio for 12-14 hours with no sun exposure since the markers are perpetually glowing. I certainly am not going to throw mine away when it's worn out but I might buy the sapphire version when the tritium becomes too dark. I love this watch and it always reminds me of the interest in watch collecting my step-dad and I shared.
I've been preaching the virtues of this watch to everyone on my instagram since I got it. It has been my most worn watch during quarantine, and has made me learn to appreciate light, durable quartz watches.
@@Ferien7 it's been holding up great. I still have it and wear it often. I don't think it is disposable (I haven't had the need to service it), and even then, I don't see why the watch wouldn't be able to last for decades.
I used to have a Luminox diver on a NATO strap and wore it daily for about three years until the battery died. I loved it. Kind of makes me miss the simplicity of a simple cheap diver that could just take a beating without a second thought. Nice review…thanks for the nostalgia.
I was issued this exact piece when I was deployed in 2008. It got beat up pretty bad during my 18 months overseas, and I actually sold it off. Kinda wish I had kept it. To be honest, despite being issued a very utilitarian watch, most of us wear G-Shock, Luminox or Suunto. Well, us grunts that is....officers wear Breitlings, lol.
@@jessevilla3696 Hell, even enlisted GIs make money these days. Just gotta be single and not such a knucklehead (like buying a limited edition Dodge Charger right after a deployment or re-enlisting!)
My dad, a retired Naval flight officer, gave me one of these for Christmas years ago. I wore it for something like 4 years straight and it’s been through hell, and it’s still one of my favorite LEGIT tool watches.
I came here to see a popular marathon review. Now I'm subbed. Jeesh man, the production quality is on a different level here. Especially enjoying the dry wit. Right up my street. Kudos. Thanks for the very informative upload!
I had one of these, I use a bezel everymorning to time my coffee, eventually the bezel got so worn out it was basically free spinning, it would move just from my sleeve rubbing it, so I sold it and upgraded to a 36mm TSAR, I like it much more
This watch is legit and I flew with it. 12-hr bezel is a great conversion scale for UTC. Lume is super, legible when your eyes are not even dark adapted excuse you’re wearing NVGs. Lightweight, rugged, legible. Easy to swap a battery on deployment. Only issue I had was the bezel started to get real loose and easy to turn accidentally, but I popped it off and was able to push on the tab underneath and fix it. For the price, you can’t beat this as a true flying watch. ❤
I used a bracelet sizing tool and pliers to push/pull out the strap pins and replaced them with single shoulder 20mm spring bars. You want to use thick bars that won't pass through the holes, which will be larger than your usual drilled lug holes. I can now strap up my Navigator. Enjoy!
Used to have the automatic gsar, gave it away and missed it. They had (and may still have) the navigator with sapphire crystal on sale at j crew for $170. I liked it so much I bought two. Your review helped me decide to make the jump. Was nervous about it being a plastic watch since I’m a mechanic and my wrist gets banged on everything, but it has held up quite a bit better than expected
I’ve been wearing the TSAR quartz for a few years now. (Diesel mechanic). It’s held up very well some minor scratches. I just ordered the pilot navigator. The TSAR is a little thick, sometimes you got to take it off to fit hands in tight places.
Ah, Evan's take on the Pure Tool Watch. Loved it. A great joy of watches is there are so many ways of doing it and they all have a place. Well, most of them. Maybe a lot of them. OK, more often than not. Alright....I'm still learning YoureTerrific-speak :) and it's good fun! As always, a great way to spend not enough minutes.
Is it actually misaligned though? The second hand is mounted pretty high above the dial because of all of the tritium tubes so even a slight angle might make it look misaligned I think. In straight down shots like from 1:00 it looks like decent alignment to me.
I bought the desert tan one on sale from j crew because of your and love it. Wish it was the black because I don’t wear as much as I’d like but I got the other 2 j crew collabs on sale for a little over $100 a piece so I’ll be able to wear those more often😁😁
I have the best configuration: with the USMC Eagle Globe & Anchor on dial! 😃 Honestly though...such a great "grab n go" all purpose watch and I *never* warmed to G-shocks for some reason.
I HAVE A TIP,, those fixed bars can actually be pushed out! If you've ever removed a swatch strap it's a similar process,, which will allow you to use two piece strap, it worked very well on my marathon general purpose 👍
One of my most-worn watches since I picked one up in June '21. It's great to have an analog watch I can wear running/to the gym, in the pool or shower (I know, I know, 60m WR but I've never had an ounce of trouble) without worrying a bit about how it's going to handle the wear and tear. I even like how it looks with dressy-casual clothes (look up Harrison Ford with his Breitling UDT to see what I mean). If you're not already hopelessly addicted to buying and selling and trading watches for the novelty factor like me, this could be your only watch or be 1/2 or 1/3 of a very small collection.
I got mine in 2019. That's interesting hearing about wearing in the shower or pool. Mine fogs up after a few times in the shower so I no longer go near water with it and there's no way I'd go swimming with in on.
I love the pairing of the strap at the 1:00 mark with the white stitching. Would you mind telling me where you got it? Ps. Love the video you convinced me to buy the watch
The 12 hour bezel is a nice feature - woefully underrated on many other brands in lieu of GMT's. I'd like to get this on some sort of rubber passthrough but I don't know if it'll work (think Tudor Pelagos FXD rubber) given the fixed bar thickness.
Great video! I am looking to buy one here in Spain, but the price on their website is almost 500 Euros. I feel like it's a lot of money for a plastic watch. Any thoughts?
I have a TSAR that's over a decade old at this point. Same dial and movement in a diver's case. The thing never skips a beat, and is starting to get really beat up. Marathon watches age like a pair of converse. I really like the Navigator, but find it's water resistance lacking. I'm not a GMT bezel guy, either. Regardless, you can expect a quality product when it comes from Marathon.
My biggest problem with this watch is the additional 24 hours markings. I simply dont think that there is any use for it...but then again, is there any use for a wrist watch?
I live for MIL-PRF-46374G certifications. You are right about that its definitely my favorite grouping of letters, dashes and numbers. Only downside, its missing a stroke / or as us American Guns and Roses fans call it, a _slash_ oh yeah!
I bought mine for arround 450€ direkt from Marathon, wich is ridiculous enough. But my second Hand is not hitting all the markers due to play front and back. Marathon answered at my concerns, that there is a "intentional space placed in between each gear"? I think its outrageous for this price point. Do you have the same problem or did a got scammed?
I’m trying to kick the unbelievably addictive Luxury Watch Habit (LWH). Watching reviews of excellent watches like this one is part of my recovery plan. I also have put my Rolex and Tudor and Grand Seiko and Omega back into their boxes, and placed them in a paper bag on a high shelf in a closet. I’ve recently bought a G-Shock 5610 (solar, 200 m water resistant, quartz) and a VAER solar , 200 m water resistant, quartz, and now I’m considering buying the newest version of the Marathon Navigator (SS, quartz, 100 m water resistant, +/- 10 seconds/ YEAR!)…and the new Seiko 38.5 mm solar diver looks good too…oh, great, I feel another addiction coming on
You know what you might like? The marathon general purpose mechanical reissue. It’s a steel hand winder. I’ve got one, same face as this but it’s much smaller (36mm) but it’s THE BEST everyday watch imho. They also make a steel version of this navigator watch with a high accuracy quartz and 100m water resistance. I’m so sorry. Lol. I think I’m done with “luxury” watches myself, too many QC issues, and they’re just jewellery let’s face it. They’re still beautiful objects but totally unnecessary haha.
I recently experienced a similar lug width/strap size conundrum (maybe it was a cataclysm). Earlier this week, I bought a Merci LMM - 01 which has a 19mm lug span. Mildly annoying since I have many 18mm and 20mm straps, but not a big deal. I even bought an extra strap from Merci since I am not a fan of the black strap that it ships with. Turns out the straps that they sell/ship are 20mm. They're selling a watch with a 19mm lug width, but shipping them with 20mm straps. It's like they're acknowledging that 19mm is an odd choice by using 20mm straps, but then why manufacture a watch with a 19mm lug width to begin with? Wouldn't 18mm or 20mm make more sense....? Anyway, cool Marathon. I love the tritium and asymmetrical case.
@@YoureTerrific Yes, it is 'military inspired'. I have it on an 18mm olive colored NATO, so it certainly looks the part. It's hand-wound, 38mm, time only. Been pretty fun so far.
@@YoureTerrific cheapest watch I own but I love it. A few years back I replaced the movement. My repair guy was so confused because of how beat to hell it was. All the numbers on the bezel worn off. Tritium totally dead and scratched like you’ve never seen.
Almost bought this watch a few times, but the fixed bars and the nato strap have been a no-go. I don't like the nato overhang fold on the tail side. it seems counter intuitive for what a strap should be. I must admit after watching your video I'm considering this watch again.
@@YoureTerrific Thank you for the update. It is currently sold out for the EU, asking price 440 euros. It's a different proposition than the 300 USD. After building an iconic, and expensive, collection, it feels great to go back to basics.
ALSO: I briefly owned a Gallet-cased, Gulf-War-issued (1991) steel Navigator that I sold for no good reason. I think I was too paranoid about the WR no longer being up to snuff? I bought it for $500, sold it for $600, and now the lowest prices I'm seeing are in the $850+ range.... I think if I'd held off another few weeks on selling mine, I would have just kept it entirely. Anyway, Marathon teased that they were going to produce steel Navigators again like 2 years ago, and it's been all quiet on the Canadian front since then. I'll cross my fingers but I won't hold my breath on that one
Marathon has released the new steel Navigators ($800 retail). The decision to reproduce the original Gulf war models speaks to the desirability and history of that design. I have 2 of the 1990 steel models and 2 of the composite, with the beater being the composite with the lexan crystal…lightweight and shock resistant, its the only watch I wear for golf and shooting.
I worked in an office that had access to the military supply store. Not everyone in the military can make purchases there. You have to be on a letter that gives you permission. Our supply store had a watch counter. At the time I wasn’t a watch guy and I balked at any watch costing more than $20. I looked at them and thought they were all way overpriced. I could have picked up all sorts of limited availability watches. I use to be dumb….or I am now….or both. Anyway, still kicking myself over that one.
I had one but sold it after the novelty wore off and experienced the plastic-y bezel. I wanted to like it, but I just couldn't justify the price. I would wince if the Marathon hit against something. I can't imagine putting it to use in a modern military lifestyle. It felt like a military Swatch if I'm brutally honest. But y'know, to each their own. If you want one for the heritage and interesting history go for it.
I know exactly what you mean. I was initially really disappointed and thought it to be cheaply made. But over time I realized that it's pretty tough even though it weighs very little. I've banged it around a lot since purchasing it in 2019 and it has held up really well. The bezel is the only thing that is weak. I don't think it is made of fibreshell like the body as I've cracked off a piece once when I dropped it. MIL-spec doesn't always imply how rugged a watch will be.
An actual watch a real James Bond type might wear. Nice that you also wear it without arousing negative attention or envy too. Great watch to use diving in the Florida Keys, especially Marathon Key:)
It'd be so interesting if you compared an IWC Mark XVIII to a Borealis Icarus. Grail level for most, versus a more accessible alternative. Just a thought. Thanks for the great content.
I used to work for the military and always saw service members in Casios and Marathons. It romanticized the idea of buying a watch like this, but I know this watch isn't for me. Maybe in another life...
I saw this on your wrist during the Zenith review and got a bit excited. I bought one a few months ago and have worn it every day since - mostly because the tritium makes it an excellent night watch. I had the same "this is so much fun, why would I buy anything more expensive" moment, too (it passed...)
Why don’t all brands, that use quartz’s movement, choose the ones that moves 4 times a second. Looks so much better than the std one tick each second. I don’t understand 🤔
@@YoureTerrific I even got a kitchen wall clock and this has a non ticking quartz movement. Runs super smooth. I would not have any issues changing the batteries more frequently in order to have such a swiping second hand on a quartz watch.
You can wear luxury watches in Asian, no issues, except for maybe the Philippines. Been traveling Asia the last 12 years sporting my Sub and chronomat, with nothing but compliments.
I bought one and then returned it. The bezel was almost an afterthought: uneven feel turning it and easily pops off with just a little upward pressure on the side. Since it’s plastic, over time the nubs under the bezel that give it its notchiness would likely wear out, leaving you with a free spinning useless bezel. At its price point, not worth it.
"300 dollars and maybe I dont need to spend more again on watches". You can say the same for 30 dollars, it just us, as watch enthusiast, we can never be satisfied with whatever we have on hand and keep adding the next one.
This is great and all, but gets my OCD going instantly when i see that second hand dance all over the markers. How and why can the japanese do it perfectly sometimes on a 50$ watch but the swiss cant on 500$ watches is beyond me.
These are decently priced but their other stuff is overpriced and most of their dials too crowded which makes it hard to read the time easily. It kind of defeats the purpose on their dive watches. Shame because I like the brand history and overall design of the GSAR ‘s , TSAR’ s. But waaaay too much money for what you get , especially the quartz models.
Seems like mil-spec watches was a bigger deal in the 1950's when watch quality was all over the place. But, it's weird, but I've never seen a service member wearing a Marathon. Lots of casio/suunto, (90%) and once a Sinn U1. A few officers with rolexes. I'll have to ask my aviation team today if they have ever seen one.
My recently deceased step-dad bought me one of these a few years ago for Christmas because we both watched a video of The Urban Gentry review it. I wear it to work everyday on film sets because the job can be pretty hard on any watch. It has some significant gouges now but the plastic case hides them pretty well. The acrylic crystal on the other hand doesn't hide marks very well and actually looks quite hazy because of all the scratches. The tritium is great however on days where we're in a dark studio for 12-14 hours with no sun exposure since the markers are perpetually glowing. I certainly am not going to throw mine away when it's worn out but I might buy the sapphire version when the tritium becomes too dark. I love this watch and it always reminds me of the interest in watch collecting my step-dad and I shared.
I've been preaching the virtues of this watch to everyone on my instagram since I got it. It has been my most worn watch during quarantine, and has made me learn to appreciate light, durable quartz watches.
How is it holding up? Is it really disposable like the originals? Does marathon not offer servicing on these?
@@Ferien7 it's been holding up great. I still have it and wear it often. I don't think it is disposable (I haven't had the need to service it), and even then, I don't see why the watch wouldn't be able to last for decades.
Beats out the MoonSwatch any day of the week yet none of the buzz surrounds it… Who said life’s fair? :p
I used to have a Luminox diver on a NATO strap and wore it daily for about three years until the battery died. I loved it. Kind of makes me miss the simplicity of a simple cheap diver that could just take a beating without a second thought. Nice review…thanks for the nostalgia.
I was issued this exact piece when I was deployed in 2008. It got beat up pretty bad during my 18 months overseas, and I actually sold it off. Kinda wish I had kept it. To be honest, despite being issued a very utilitarian watch, most of us wear G-Shock, Luminox or Suunto. Well, us grunts that is....officers wear Breitlings, lol.
Officers can afford Breitlings?!
@@YoureTerrific make no mistake, officers make money.
@@jessevilla3696 Hell, even enlisted GIs make money these days. Just gotta be single and not such a knucklehead (like buying a limited edition Dodge Charger right after a deployment or re-enlisting!)
My dad, a retired Naval flight officer, gave me one of these for Christmas years ago. I wore it for something like 4 years straight and it’s been through hell, and it’s still one of my favorite LEGIT tool watches.
@@YoureTerrific Can confirm.
I came here to see a popular marathon review. Now I'm subbed. Jeesh man, the production quality is on a different level here. Especially enjoying the dry wit. Right up my street. Kudos.
Thanks for the very informative upload!
The price-to-pleasure ratio is the only ratio I care about! Let's be real... just the pleasure ratio! I freaking loved this video!
just wanted to say that i'm loving your content :). beautifully shot and appreciate your thoughts.
i had all but convinced myself I didn't want this watch because of the low WR but here you are reminding me how neat it LOOKS
I like the way you match the gray nato strap with the watch. It gives more relaxed impression.
One of your best videos.
I had one of these, I use a bezel everymorning to time my coffee, eventually the bezel got so worn out it was basically free spinning, it would move just from my sleeve rubbing it, so I sold it and upgraded to a 36mm TSAR, I like it much more
One of my favorite watches. I love wearing lightweight watches that you barely notice on your wrist.
Interesting choice, and great video, as always.
I was shocked to see a watch that I knew of and could afford. great video.
👍
This watch is legit and I flew with it. 12-hr bezel is a great conversion scale for UTC. Lume is super, legible when your eyes are not even dark adapted excuse you’re wearing NVGs. Lightweight, rugged, legible. Easy to swap a battery on deployment. Only issue I had was the bezel started to get real loose and
easy to turn accidentally, but I popped it off and was able to push on the tab underneath and fix it. For the price, you can’t beat this as a true flying watch. ❤
I used a bracelet sizing tool and pliers to push/pull out the strap pins and replaced them with single shoulder 20mm spring bars. You want to use thick bars that won't pass through the holes, which will be larger than your usual drilled lug holes. I can now strap up my Navigator. Enjoy!
I did it! It works like you said!
Used to have the automatic gsar, gave it away and missed it. They had (and may still have) the navigator with sapphire crystal on sale at j crew for $170. I liked it so much I bought two. Your review helped me decide to make the jump. Was nervous about it being a plastic watch since I’m a mechanic and my wrist gets banged on everything, but it has held up quite a bit better than expected
I’ve been wearing the TSAR quartz for a few years now. (Diesel mechanic). It’s held up very well some minor scratches. I just ordered the pilot navigator. The TSAR is a little thick, sometimes you got to take it off to fit hands in tight places.
Ah, Evan's take on the Pure Tool Watch. Loved it. A great joy of watches is there are so many ways of doing it and they all have a place. Well, most of them. Maybe a lot of them. OK, more often than not. Alright....I'm still learning YoureTerrific-speak :) and it's good fun! As always, a great way to spend not enough minutes.
Thanks, Chris.
Love this watch, but the miss-aligned seconds hand grates my soul
Ahh curse you. I read your comment b4 watching and I couldn't stop focusing on it.... Until I noticed the asymmetry.
I don’t think it hits any of them I checked .
Just take the hand of and carefully reposition. It's not a big thing but qc should catch it agreed.
Is it actually misaligned though? The second hand is mounted pretty high above the dial because of all of the tritium tubes so even a slight angle might make it look misaligned I think. In straight down shots like from 1:00 it looks like decent alignment to me.
@@Druggie1993 no way anyone can really say without being right top down on it. How anyone can be sure from a video is beyond me.
I would definitely recommend you try a light cream/tan NATO with this one. It's what I've been rocking non stop
That's a great combo.
I bought the desert tan one on sale from j crew because of your and love it. Wish it was the black because I don’t wear as much as I’d like but I got the other 2 j crew collabs on sale for a little over $100 a piece so I’ll be able to wear those more often😁😁
Another good day!
Waiting on the p01 patiently. 🙃
It looks great on that leather strap! Where can I get the strap?
I have the best configuration: with the USMC Eagle Globe & Anchor on dial! 😃
Honestly though...such a great "grab n go" all purpose watch and I *never* warmed to G-shocks for some reason.
I loved mine. I gave it to my nephew for his first watch.
Terrific gift
Nice review, great editing and music as always.
Thanks
I HAVE A TIP,, those fixed bars can actually be pushed out! If you've ever removed a swatch strap it's a similar process,, which will allow you to use two piece strap, it worked very well on my marathon general purpose 👍
Marathon's a great brand. Their build quality is off the chart, and look great! Most definitely one of my favorite brands.
Really cool stuff. I respect them a lot.
Love their GSAR white dials too.
Same
One of my most-worn watches since I picked one up in June '21. It's great to have an analog watch I can wear running/to the gym, in the pool or shower (I know, I know, 60m WR but I've never had an ounce of trouble) without worrying a bit about how it's going to handle the wear and tear. I even like how it looks with dressy-casual clothes (look up Harrison Ford with his Breitling UDT to see what I mean). If you're not already hopelessly addicted to buying and selling and trading watches for the novelty factor like me, this could be your only watch or be 1/2 or 1/3 of a very small collection.
I got mine in 2019. That's interesting hearing about wearing in the shower or pool. Mine fogs up after a few times in the shower so I no longer go near water with it and there's no way I'd go swimming with in on.
I love the pairing of the strap at the 1:00 mark with the white stitching. Would you mind telling me where you got it?
Ps. Love the video you convinced me to buy the watch
Great pick-up👍
Fab I love my similar style and purposed CWC Just a shame they didn't match the crown
The 12 hour bezel is a nice feature - woefully underrated on many other brands in lieu of GMT's. I'd like to get this on some sort of rubber passthrough but I don't know if it'll work (think Tudor Pelagos FXD rubber) given the fixed bar thickness.
I think there's enough clearance for a rubber pass-through strap.
You're terrific in making these videos, double pun intended.
I'll take it.
to clarify, The Navigator is not meant to be disposed of anymore. Its made for lifetime use.
Great video! I am looking to buy one here in Spain, but the price on their website is almost 500 Euros. I feel like it's a lot of money for a plastic watch. Any thoughts?
I have a TSAR that's over a decade old at this point. Same dial and movement in a diver's case. The thing never skips a beat, and is starting to get really beat up. Marathon watches age like a pair of converse.
I really like the Navigator, but find it's water resistance lacking. I'm not a GMT bezel guy, either.
Regardless, you can expect a quality product when it comes from Marathon.
"Price to fun ratio" its an often overlooked feature.
There's fun little gems at all price brackets
Oh that came alive for me on that leather nato. It’s as cool looking as that new Pelagos. So there’s that
It’s amazing what a strap can do.
My biggest problem with this watch is the additional 24 hours markings. I simply dont think that there is any use for it...but then again, is there any use for a wrist watch?
You can “hammer” or “tap” the bars out, and then you can use an watch strap you want with spring bars. Did it to mine.
Really? I was wondering about that. Thanks for the tip!
Great video 👍
I live for MIL-PRF-46374G certifications. You are right about that its definitely my favorite grouping of letters, dashes and numbers. Only downside, its missing a stroke / or as us American Guns and Roses fans call it, a _slash_ oh yeah!
I like you.
@@YoureTerrific Thanks Evan I like you too. You make me want to buy too many things I probably shouldn't but hey that's part of the fun!
love your commentary and jokes
Jokes? This stuff is serious!
I think the offset case shape is cool.. Hamilton has a few Chronos like that. Clever and practical.
They sure do.
i like it, too!
Great vid and info of this Marathon.
It’s not for me but it’s cool.
My son would like it.
Love your straps purchase guide in the description below, must be a guide for the watch in general... (if you like it...)
Sorry I couldn't provide more details.
Awesome as always. Been eyeing these off for a long while. Might sell off the nighthawk for one of these 🤫
🤫
I felt the same way until I didn’t. Sold mine after a couple months haha.
Excelente Reloj ⌚👏🤩🤩
Gracias
Best watch ever.
I bought mine for arround 450€ direkt from Marathon, wich is ridiculous enough. But my second Hand is not hitting all the markers due to play front and back. Marathon answered at my concerns, that there is a "intentional space placed in between each gear"? I think its outrageous for this price point. Do you have the same problem or did a got scammed?
i'm still drooling over an arctic Gsar
I reallllly like those.
Bravo 👏🏻
Gazie
This is my favourite watch that Marathon offers. I’m sure that they went up by about $100 since last year.
Seems that way.
I loved my navigator ! Sadly my fiancé washed it, and it’s just a little too expensive to repurchase :(
Oh no!
I have one but it gave me cancer because the second hand does NOT line up with the indices.
Nick Mankey makes a Hook Strap for watches with fixed spring bars. Would be a nice option that doesn’t add height to the watch head
Thanks for the info!
I’m trying to kick the unbelievably addictive Luxury Watch Habit (LWH). Watching reviews of excellent watches like this one is part of my recovery plan. I also have put my Rolex and Tudor and Grand Seiko and Omega back into their boxes, and placed them in a paper bag on a high shelf in a closet.
I’ve recently bought a G-Shock 5610 (solar, 200 m water resistant, quartz) and a VAER solar , 200 m water resistant, quartz, and now I’m considering buying the newest version of the Marathon Navigator (SS, quartz, 100 m water resistant, +/- 10 seconds/ YEAR!)…and the new Seiko 38.5 mm solar diver looks good too…oh, great, I feel another addiction coming on
You know what you might like? The marathon general purpose mechanical reissue. It’s a steel hand winder. I’ve got one, same face as this but it’s much smaller (36mm) but it’s THE BEST everyday watch imho. They also make a steel version of this navigator watch with a high accuracy quartz and 100m water resistance. I’m so sorry. Lol. I think I’m done with “luxury” watches myself, too many QC issues, and they’re just jewellery let’s face it. They’re still beautiful objects but totally unnecessary haha.
I recently experienced a similar lug width/strap size conundrum (maybe it was a cataclysm). Earlier this week, I bought a Merci LMM - 01 which has a 19mm lug span. Mildly annoying since I have many 18mm and 20mm straps, but not a big deal. I even bought an extra strap from Merci since I am not a fan of the black strap that it ships with.
Turns out the straps that they sell/ship are 20mm. They're selling a watch with a 19mm lug width, but shipping them with 20mm straps. It's like they're acknowledging that 19mm is an odd choice by using 20mm straps, but then why manufacture a watch with a 19mm lug width to begin with? Wouldn't 18mm or 20mm make more sense....? Anyway, cool Marathon. I love the tritium and asymmetrical case.
Is that also a military watch?
@@YoureTerrific Yes, it is 'military inspired'. I have it on an 18mm olive colored NATO, so it certainly looks the part. It's hand-wound, 38mm, time only. Been pretty fun so far.
Whats the diameter of the bezel?
It reminds me very much of my luminox my father got me when I was a kid
I could see that.
@@YoureTerrific cheapest watch I own but I love it. A few years back I replaced the movement. My repair guy was so confused because of how beat to hell it was. All the numbers on the bezel worn off. Tritium totally dead and scratched like you’ve never seen.
Watch finder?
Dead beat or quarz ? :-)
Enthickened. Haha! I dig the arctic dial 36mm.
It’s a perfectly cromulent word.
Thats a funny looking Seiko you have there
I would love to see Seiko do something like this.
Almost bought this watch a few times, but the fixed bars and the nato strap have been a no-go. I don't like the nato overhang fold on the tail side. it seems counter intuitive for what a strap should be. I must admit after watching your video I'm considering this watch again.
I was able to remove the bars by just pushing them through via the outer lug holes.
@@YoureTerrific Thank you for the update. It is currently sold out for the EU, asking price 440 euros. It's a different proposition than the 300 USD. After building an iconic, and expensive, collection, it feels great to go back to basics.
Second hand not hitting its marks is a no-no. How long have quartz watches been made, and this STILL seems to be difficult?
ALSO: I briefly owned a Gallet-cased, Gulf-War-issued (1991) steel Navigator that I sold for no good reason. I think I was too paranoid about the WR no longer being up to snuff? I bought it for $500, sold it for $600, and now the lowest prices I'm seeing are in the $850+ range.... I think if I'd held off another few weeks on selling mine, I would have just kept it entirely.
Anyway, Marathon teased that they were going to produce steel Navigators again like 2 years ago, and it's been all quiet on the Canadian front since then. I'll cross my fingers but I won't hold my breath on that one
Marathon has released the new steel Navigators ($800 retail). The decision to reproduce the original Gulf war models speaks to the desirability and history of that design. I have 2 of the 1990 steel models and 2 of the composite, with the beater being the composite with the lexan crystal…lightweight and shock resistant, its the only watch I wear for golf and shooting.
I worked in an office that had access to the military supply store. Not everyone in the military can make purchases there. You have to be on a letter that gives you permission. Our supply store had a watch counter. At the time I wasn’t a watch guy and I balked at any watch costing more than $20. I looked at them and thought they were all way overpriced. I could have picked up all sorts of limited availability watches. I use to be dumb….or I am now….or both. Anyway, still kicking myself over that one.
Where do you buy this at $300?
From Teddy Baldassarre's website. It was $288 a couple months ago and now it's $378!
I had one but sold it after the novelty wore off and experienced the plastic-y bezel. I wanted to like it, but I just couldn't justify the price. I would wince if the Marathon hit against something. I can't imagine putting it to use in a modern military lifestyle. It felt like a military Swatch if I'm brutally honest. But y'know, to each their own. If you want one for the heritage and interesting history go for it.
I know exactly what you mean. I was initially really disappointed and thought it to be cheaply made. But over time I realized that it's pretty tough even though it weighs very little. I've banged it around a lot since purchasing it in 2019 and it has held up really well. The bezel is the only thing that is weak. I don't think it is made of fibreshell like the body as I've cracked off a piece once when I dropped it. MIL-spec doesn't always imply how rugged a watch will be.
Hard pass here also. Still rockin a G Shock I bought in the Oman PX in 2014.
What's your wrist size?
An actual watch a real James Bond type might wear.
Nice that you also wear it without arousing negative attention or envy too.
Great watch to use diving in the Florida Keys, especially Marathon Key:)
For sure.
With that water rating?
I swim with this. No problems.
Nice. Btw, I used to have a place at mm86, next to Founders Park. Love the keys!
It'd be so interesting if you compared an IWC Mark XVIII to a Borealis Icarus. Grail level for most, versus a more accessible alternative. Just a thought.
Thanks for the great content.
I used to work for the military and always saw service members in Casios and Marathons. It romanticized the idea of buying a watch like this, but I know this watch isn't for me. Maybe in another life...
Got one too, it’s my night watch and lights the way at 3am………
Perfect brightness too.
You do you but now the Tonda please 🌋
I've got a steel one that was issued to the military back in '91 for the gulf war. Looks way better inn steel
There is a metal version. That's the only thing holding me back on this as a GSAR owner. I cant trust that plastic.
Marathon makes great watches. Ant this is a tool watch that does it well. With that said. The asymmetry of the case hurts my soul.
One man’s charm is another man’s soul-hurter.
fibershell should be Glasfiber reinforced Polymere (thermoplastic)
Thanks
I saw this on your wrist during the Zenith review and got a bit excited. I bought one a few months ago and have worn it every day since - mostly because the tritium makes it an excellent night watch.
I had the same "this is so much fun, why would I buy anything more expensive" moment, too (it passed...)
It always does. But I’m still very much enjoying this watch.
I’ve heard of Marathon.
Aren't these 400 dollars now? Is it still value for money
Why don’t all brands, that use quartz’s movement, choose the ones that moves 4 times a second. Looks so much better than the std one tick each second. I don’t understand 🤔
I think it’s inefficient use of power.
@@YoureTerrific I even got a kitchen wall clock and this has a non ticking quartz movement. Runs super smooth. I would not have any issues changing the batteries more frequently in order to have such a swiping second hand on a quartz watch.
FYI J Crew makes a blue one.
Looks good
@@YoureTerrific it does, but if I were to get one I'd get the black.
You can wear luxury watches in Asian, no issues, except for maybe the Philippines. Been traveling Asia the last 12 years sporting my Sub and chronomat, with nothing but compliments.
Good to know. Europe and large US cities are riskier.
I bought one and then returned it. The bezel was almost an afterthought: uneven feel turning it and easily pops off with just a little upward pressure on the side. Since it’s plastic, over time the nubs under the bezel that give it its notchiness would likely wear out, leaving you with a free spinning useless bezel. At its price point, not worth it.
"300 dollars and maybe I dont need to spend more again on watches". You can say the same for 30 dollars, it just us, as watch enthusiast, we can never be satisfied with whatever we have on hand and keep adding the next one.
So true.
i can't see how this is cheap for 370 quid, it's what it goes for right now on their official website
It’s really not cheap haha, you pay extra for military spec
So practical might as well not wear a watch and rely on my phone or car
It’s 420 on their website
I bought it for $288 a couple months ago from another site and now it’s $378 on that same site.
@@YoureTerrific oh well. Maybe I’ll find one used down the road
This is great and all, but gets my OCD going instantly when i see that second hand dance all over the markers. How and why can the japanese do it perfectly sometimes on a 50$ watch but the swiss cant on 500$ watches is beyond me.
These are decently priced but their other stuff is overpriced and most of their dials too crowded which makes it hard to read the time easily. It kind of defeats the purpose on their dive watches. Shame because I like the brand history and overall design of the GSAR ‘s , TSAR’ s. But waaaay too much money for what you get , especially the quartz models.
Fibre shell is recycled carbon fibre.
Really? Thanks. Got a link explaining the process?
Seems like mil-spec watches was a bigger deal in the 1950's when watch quality was all over the place. But, it's weird, but I've never seen a service member wearing a Marathon. Lots of casio/suunto, (90%) and once a Sinn U1. A few officers with rolexes. I'll have to ask my aviation team today if they have ever seen one.