Elite military watches from Canadians MARATHON
Marathon watches
Friends, hello everyone, you are on the Feeltime watch channel, my name is Stanislav, and today we will continue to talk about Canadian Marathon watches, which are officially produced in Switzerland for the US and Canadian military and elite rescue services.
I have already shown Marathon models several times. Moreover, during the review, I already tested one Marathon model by accident, dropping it from a height of almost my height onto the tile.
These reviews are available on my channel, and you can find them in the archives. Plus, I'll leave the link somewhere here so you don't have to search for it for a long time.
I tried to go in ascending order, because the brand's pricing policy is very wide. Conventionally, watches made of polymer and quartz start at 22 thousand UAH, and some flagship models cost from $ 3,000. These are the ones we will look at today.
And I think you'll be really interested, because what I saw is sometimes hard to justify at that price. But I'll try.
All the models we have on review are from the most popular diving collection Marathon Divers.
Well, what did you want? Diver's watches rule the world. And in the world of military watches too.
In principle, you can understand where everything is by the weight of the box. Almost every Marathon model comes in such a stylish and convenient military-style tin.
And when you pick up the tin with our first watch, you immediately feel that there is something big and heavy inside.
The kit will also include detailed instructions and a card with the serial number of this particular model and a hologram. This is a mature approach, because usually inexpensive watches do not have numerical identification.
The watch looks very brutal and monolithic.
This series definitely has its own style, its own face, and that face is quite aggressive and seems to say: "Dude, you better not come near me."
The abbreviation of the SAR collection stands for Search and Rescue. That is, these models are officially manufactured for elite rescue units in Canada, the USA and other countries.
After examining this watch, I immediately had certain questions about it that wouldn't have arisen if it were much cheaper, so I will comment on literally every nuance.
I definitely like the finish of the 316L stainless steel case. It is completely satin-finished and usually has mirror-polished elements for better volume, but not in our version.
Mirror polish on a military watch is not the best idea. It gets tarnished faster, plus it creates unnecessary glare, which can attract unnecessary attention.
Here I want to say that the geometry itself is built in such a way that the case, even with a full satin finish, shimmers beautifully, casting shadows, which enhances this volume. In other words, the watch looks truly premium.
Plus, I like the slots for the bracelet pins in the case. They're nice details.
Although the bracelet itself moves a little with the case. There is a micro gap. And these are unpleasant details, although I can't say that it annoys me.
The head is perfect. It has protective protrusions, the right length, and is rough. That is, it is convenient to operate, plus it screws into the body like butter.
The bezel is ambiguous at first glance.
On the one hand, it looks cool, no questions asked. On the other hand, it has an aluminum insert, and you kind of expect that a watch like this for that price should have ceramic. If you can find this in watches for 15 thousand UAH, why isn't it in a watch for 102 thousand?
And to be honest, I doubt that this is a time for savings, but I simply don't have an answer as to why not ceramics.
The bezel has a micro play. And when you start turning it, it seems a little flimsy. But if you put aside the feeling from other bezels that have passed through your hands and turn this one calmly, it becomes obvious that it is clear and very comfortable. It is very convenient to work with.
A top quality bracelet. Although primitive at first glance. But when you examine it in detail, you realize that there are complex transitions between the links, plus these transitions are hidden from view, but are finished like the outside. On inexpensive watches, they usually save money in these places between the links.
Plus, the links are attached with thick screws. This is an obvious plus.
The clasp immediately makes you think, “What the fuck?” That is, you simply don’t understand how such an expensive watch could be equipped with such a simple clasp, which is installed on watches 10 times cheaper.
But then it starts to creep up on you. The watch is already heavy, and it has to be practical.
This clasp is very thin, very light. It definitely makes the watch lighter as a whole. It is clear that the workmanship is top-notch, that is, it was done with care. And that is the only way I can explain this, because I have no other explanation for such a budget clasp.
By the way, it has a Canadian letter engraved on it, as a reminder that the brand is from Canada.
By the way, I forgot to mention that the case and bracelet are not just visually well-finished, but also tactilely. That is, all the corners, all the sides are very smooth. Usually, on inexpensive watches, it can be sharp.
I definitely like how this monster sits on my small hand, 18 cm in size.
Its diameter is 41 mm, from lug to lug - 48 mm, thickness - 14 mm.
Dial on a solid 5+.
It sits deep, readability is at its best. All hands and markers are covered with patented Maraglo material. The Marathon brand claims that it glows for up to 8 hours. For a luminescent material, this is really a very long indicator, because it is usually 1-2 hours.
The hands are of perfect length, each one clearly fits its division. The seconds hand has a red tip.
The date is highlighted by a cyclops, which does a pretty good job.
In general, this watch has a thick sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating and is water resistant to 300 meters. This is a professional diving tool.
You can see some of the specifications, as well as the model number, on the back of the watch. Everything is described in quite detail here, which is a rarity these days.
But one of the main features is the Swiss automatic Sellita SW200-1 on board. It seems to be a standard, popular mechanism that is installed in many brands in both the cheaper and more expensive ranges, but this particular version has the patented Incabloc shock absorber. And shock resistance is very important for this watch.
In general, its characteristics are as follows: 26 jewels, 28,800 vibrations per hour, power reserve - 38 hours, error from 10 to 30 seconds per day.
This is a mechanism that has proven itself well in the world of watches, but this version is more advanced and charged.
It costs 102,865 UAH today and I will draw conclusions about this model at the end, because I am sure that some of you have questions.
You can purchase it HERE .
Next, I want to show you a model that I personally have been waiting for a long time as a person who loves the American Jeep brand.
Since 1941, the Marathon brand has been collaborating with Jeep and producing watch models of the same name dedicated to the legendary Jeep Rubicon model.
Just remember when you were last in the Carpathians? You've definitely seen these monsters in the villages with their crazy designs and wheels that can jump over the mountains.
This is a car that will go anywhere. A true legend. Like the Jeep brand. Many current cars have unspoken design departures from the iconic Jeep models.
Friends, I will not voice certain elements in this watch. For the reason that the quality, or convenience, or design are identical to the previous model. That is, there is a base that I do not see the point of repeating.
For example, the tin is almost the same, but it was made in green to match the color of this model.
Plus, inside there will be an additional part of the belt on the side that has a clasp.
The case is made just as beautifully as its predecessor, but there are a few nuances.
Engraved Rubicon headlights, plus a star on the head, which you can see on the spare tire cap.
Continuing the theme of Jeep symbolism, there is a red rev bar on the dial, plus instead of the brand, it is indicated in large letters that this is a Jeep model.
But Marathon is more modestly placed at the 6 o'clock mark.
Readability is also good here, but worse than on its predecessor.
More inscriptions, more symbols, there is an additional 12-hour scale. All this is nice, but it played a role in terms of readability.
If you see a radiation icon, you should immediately understand that tritium tubes are installed here for the arrows and marks.
Tritium is a radioactive material that is packed into sealed flasks and glows in the dark for up to 25 years.
This is really cool technology, and you don't have to be scared by the word "Radiation". It's very low, plus the flasks are sealed. Many well-known brands use tritium and it's safe!
The bezel and crown feel the same as the predecessor. I'll describe it.
But the rubber strap is gorgeous. It's thick, and yet you feel it's expensive to the touch. It's hard for me to convey, it's just experience. When you've had a lot of straps, you can blindly understand what's cheap and what's expensive.
Plus a cool, faceted clasp. I definitely like it all.
In terms of specifications, everything is exactly the same as the predecessor. As are the dimensions.
Let me try it on my hand.
Interestingly, I wouldn't say by feel that the watch is 41 mm. It's plump, but in terms of diameter it feels 39 mm larger. Neat.
And it's cool when your hand is in front of you, the Rubicon's headlights are shining right at you. The element is original.
This watch is still expensive. 114,360 UAH. And more about it at the end.
You can purchase it HERE .
The last model in our selection differs from its predecessors only in details, so as I said, let's just take a visual look.
Same dimensions, same quality, same features.
But this model is made of 316l stainless steel with a black PVD coating.
The model kit is a familiar tin, it is full documentation, plus a certificate with a hologram and serial number, it is an additional part of the belt on the side with a clasp.
41 mm diameter, sapphire crystal, tritium tubes, Sellita SW200-1 with Incabloc shock absorber. All this is there. Water resistance - 300 meters, plus I forgot to say that these models are certified divers according to ISO6425 standards.
By the way, in this model, not only everything is black, but also the back cover. Usually, even in black watches, it is left steel-colored.
This copy costs 133,000 UAH.
You can purchase it HERE .
And to be honest, I'm a little shocked by the price hike in very similar models.
Once again, the model on a bracelet with the same characteristics costs 102 UAH, and this one, in black, costs 133,000 UAH.
Moreover, within the brand, very often the same model on a bracelet can be 20 thousand more expensive than the version on a strap.
That is, in some places I really don't understand the order of prices precisely in the logical difference between the models.
But it really happens and I've seen it more than once in both Maurice Lacroix and Rado. Some nuances of the same model greatly affect the final price, and only the brands know why there are such differences.
There are other questions. Here is a watch on a bracelet for 102 UAH. Bezel with an aluminum insert, bracelet with a very outdated clasp.
And here's what I want to briefly explain to you.
Marathon is a brand with a big background, yes, it is little known in Ukraine. But only because no one here has dealt with it)
But the brand has existed since 1941, the brand has its own factory in Switzerland, the brand makes watches under official contracts for the military and rescue workers of the USA, Canada and other countries, the brand officially cooperates with Jeep.
That is, Marathon has an unspoken permission to make some details controversial, which is often the case with famous Swiss watches. Let's just mention the clasps of Tag Heuer Formula 1 or Longines Hydroconquest.
I have a generally pleasant feeling about watches. I like how they are made, I am not bothered by their flaws, I like their background and the fact that they have a clear positioning. This is not a worn-out style, is it? This is really a separate niche, made at a fairly high level.
Of course, if you're not ready to spend that kind of money, there's always Luminox, it has a similar style, it also has a background, but, by the way, it's a much later brand (just hyped).
But I clearly understand for myself that if the buyer of this watch has the money and likes the watch, he will buy it and be satisfied, because I don't see anything that could not please him in this watch.
What do you think about this? Please write in the comments.
I am an official dealer of the Marathon brand in Ukraine. From me you buy an original with an official 2-year warranty in Ukraine. I will leave you a link to the catalog, plus a link to my personal telegram. If you have any questions, please write.
