Canadian military watches MARATHON. Made in Switzerland
Canadian Marathon watches
Hello friends. You are on the Feeltime watch channel, Stanislav is with you, and I have good news for you.
I am not standing still, and new, increasingly serious brands are appearing in my store.
And now I am happy to share with you that I have become the official representative of the Canadian brand Marathon in Ukraine.
I don't really like listening to brand stories and talking about them. It all feels a bit boring to me. When I listen to it, I get the feeling: "But show me the watches themselves."
But this time I still have to tell you a little about the brand, because it is over 80 years old and a brand with a history.
So Marathon is a family brand that dates back to 1939.
Today, the 4th generation, led by Mitchell Wayne, runs the company. The company's president is Leon Wayne, and his father, Maurice Wayne, founded the Marathon brand. That is, this is a truly family-owned company to this day.
The head office of the Marathon brand is located in Canada, but the watches are assembled at their own factory in the Swiss town of La Chaux-de-Fonds.
The first contract was signed by Marathon with the British and Canadian military in 1941.
And here I want to emphasize an important information. Many brands today make watches in military (war) design. But the Marathon brand is one of the few that officially supplies watches to the US, Canadian and allied armies.
And the Marathon brand in the world is still not known to everyone, because from the very beginning the direction chosen was to supply professional Marathon watches to the military under official contracts. And only later did the company decide that these watches could please ordinary people as well. People like me, for example, who love such brutal accessories.
So, I won't bore you with too much information and suggest you take a look at the watches. And in the first batch, I brought almost all the copies from the available lines. And in this review, I will show you the first part, and after some time, I will finish writing the review, where I will show the second part of the models.
Marathon 46mm Jumbo Diver's Quartz (JSAR) WW194018SS-0130 Diver's Watch
We will start with the SAR diving model, which stands for Search and Rescue.
These models gained momentum in the early 2000s and were produced under contracts for elite search units in Canada and America.
Let's talk about the package, because there's a lot to look at.
We have a really top-notch, waterproof diving case. There are instructions on how to open it so you don't damage anything.
And I want to say that before this I saw rather decorative diving cases. And this one is real. You can see the valve with the inscription IP67, in which the first number 6 means that the case is protected from dust, and the second "7" means that the case can be immersed in water up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes without consequences.
Inside is the watch itself, a branded Marathon sticker, and many documents.
We have instructions, we have a certificate with the serial number of this model and a security hologram, we have an additional part of the belt.
That is, firstly, the package is quite rich, and secondly, the documentation is at a fairly serious level. Here you have both detailed instructions and complete information about the watch with its number. It's really nice.
The watch itself is completely unique in terms of design. Brutal, masculine design. Very tall, characteristic of the SAR collection bezel.
If he said it, let's start spinning it. Very comfortable grip, which is not surprising at such a height. Clear rotations, I definitely like the sound. But there are a few points. First, there is still a small micro backlash, which personally does not annoy me.
Secondly, the bezel insert is aluminum. And here I see most likely not savings, but the fact that this is still a tool watch. The bezel should be matte, without unnecessary glare and gloss.
To add to the convenience, I want to add a head that is rough, elongated, covered in protective layers, and a pleasure to operate.
The head screws on for better tightness, and we have professional water resistance of 300 meters.
Moreover, it is a certified diver according to ISO6425 standards, this information, like much else, you can find on the back cover of the watch. Here again is the serial number of the model, which must match the number in the certificate for the watch. As I said, this is an adult approach.
316l stainless steel case. Fully satin-finished. Good quality finish. Overall, the finish looks just adequately very good for a watch in this combat style.
I want to mention the dimensions, because this particular specimen is at its maximum.
It has a diameter of 46 mm, from lug to lug - 55 mm, thickness - 17.5 mm, weight - 159 grams.
That is, this is a real monster. I have a thin arm, 18 cm in circumference, and I want to say that it is very chubby, although it sits clearly from ear to ear.
But in general, I want to say that this model has 46 mm, 41 mm, and even 36 mm versions. That is, the Marathon brand understands that everyone has different hands and there are also women among us who may like the 36 mm version.
Rubber strap. Excellent quality. On the back it says that it is made in Switzerland, like our watch itself.
The stainless steel clasp looks and is made well. It's angular, but definitely fits the design of the case.
Our model is equipped with the ETA High-Torque FØ7 Swiss quartz. Accurate, time-tested with an EOL function, i.e. the second hand starts to move through one division 2 weeks before the battery runs out, thus warning of replacement.
Excellent readability of the dial.
Matte shade. Again, a reference to the bezel. To prevent unnecessary glare.
I like the shape of the arrows and overlays with the proprietary and patented Maraglo solution, which will glow brightly in the dark for up to 8 hours.
There is an additional 12 and 24-hour indication, very modest, but well readable, the date is placed between 4-5 o'clock on a black background. It is easy to read and does not distract your attention. This is good.
A thick sapphire with anti-reflective coating covers all that beauty.
The cost of the watch today is almost $1,500.
What did I see?
Firstly, a nice and mature package with a really protected case, an additional strap, and all certificates.
Secondly, I saw a reliable, very well-made tool. Not without flaws, but it looks really cool and you can see that it was really made for extreme conditions, which was the goal when creating this model.
Link to it HERE .
In order not to stray too far from the box office, I want to show you the 36 mm version right away.
Watch Marathon 36mm Arctic Edition Medium Diver's Automatic (MSAR Auto) WW194026SS-0530
Again, let's start with the configuration.
It's simpler here, but I can't help but notice the originality and practicality of the metal boxes, which are made with reference to a military storage device.
Inside, in addition to the watch, you will also find a certificate with a serial number, detailed instructions, and an additional part of the strap with additional pins.
The watch itself looks very unusual. Such a brutal little thing.
And I immediately want to try it on my hand and understand whether it's a purely men's or women's watch, or somewhere in between.
In my opinion, it would either look better on a really small man's hand, or on a woman's. But it's up to you to decide.
Dimensions:
Diameter - 36 mm, from lug to lug - 43 mm, thickness - 13 mm, weight - 97 grams.
That is, we see that the diameter is small, the ears are not short, and the height is not small. A kind of small chubby.
In terms of the bezel's build quality and convenience, I have no questions. The sound is clear, especially if you go by the divisions, but there is still obvious play.
The head is again large enough to be easily operated on.
Well, you probably already noticed that the previous watch was quartz, and this one is mechanical.
And as expected, we have a reliable Swiss automatic movement installed, very popular for this price segment. It is a Sellita SW200-1 with a power reserve of 38 hours, 26 jewels, operating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour.
But there is an important feature. Marathon uses the Incabloc shockproof system, and this is very important, since quartz is usually installed in tool watches, because it tolerates shocks more easily. And if you install mechanics, then it must be protected.
Other characteristics are basically unchanged.
This is the same thick sapphire with anti-reflective coating.
This is 300 meters of professional water resistance certified to ISO6425.
But the hands and markers are already equipped with tritium tubes, which do not require energy storage and always glow in the dark for 25 years. Then the glow fades a little.
I have no complaints about the quality of the strap and case, and I want to say that it is made the same as the large version.
The dial is called “Arctic.” I think for obvious reason.
Everything is very well done and beautifully read. Wonderful contrast of white and black.
Again, there is a 12-24 hour display. An unobtrusive date in white and a highlighted second hand in red.
Such a brutal unisex option.
It costs almost $1900 today.
I'll leave the link to the watch HERE.
Marathon 36mm Officer's Mechanical (GPM) Watch WW194003SS-0001
I want to show you another little thing.
This time it's Marathon from the Purpose Field collection. These field watches pay homage to the period from 1941-60, when Marathon began officially producing field watches for the US and allied armies under contract.
Again... I want to immediately put it on my hand and understand who this watch is for, because the diameter is 36 mm.
And I want to say that this one seems to me like a watch that fits my hand more organically.
It's definitely unisex.
By size:
Diameter - 36 mm, from lug to lug - 45 mm, thickness - 11 mm, weight - 58 grams.
I would like to note right away that this model has quartz versions, mechanical versions, and versions with metal and plastic cases. We will look at the polymer version next time. So let me remind you that if you don't want to lose it, it's time to subscribe.
And I want to immediately note the very cool quality of the textile belt.
It is really well thought out. First, it is soft, secondly, the latch is very convenient. Thirdly, I was surprised by the super thin and miniature clasp. I thought it was made of plastic, but no, it says it is made of stainless steel.
In general, when I hold this watch, I am reminded of some comparison with the American microbrand Bertucci, for which I am also a dealer.
Because there are similar designs. But when you look at the Marathon in detail, you understand why they are more expensive. Here, both the quality of the strap and the quality of the clasp. The back cover and some hidden elements are well made. Because I remember that Bertucci has obvious savings in such places.
Stainless steel case. Very unusual shape, curved on all sides.
That is, the case looks like a single, monolithic part, completed by a sapphire, flat glass with an anti-reflective coating.
Sandblasting. Matte color, so as not to give unnecessary glare and not to attract the attention of the enemy. We, as ordinary people, do not think about this, but we do not forget that this is a tool watch for professional military personnel.
The head is very convenient. It does not screw in. This is not necessary, because the standard water resistance is 50 meters, like for a field watch. You can wash your hands and not be afraid of rain.
The model is equipped with a Swiss automatic ETA2801. This is not a popular movement today.
Let's look at the dial.
The nose is black, again a matte color, so as not to create unnecessary glare.
Wonderful contrast.
There is a 12 and 24 hour display. There is no date here, it would definitely be superfluous.
There are tritium tubes on the hands and markers. And you know, I noticed that the versions with tritium tubes have a radiation icon. Because it is really radioactive material, but don't be scared. There is a very small degree of radiation there and it is in sealed tubes. Today, quite a few very well-known brands use it.
But this is the first time I've seen a brand warn about this!
We also see the inscription US Government, which means that the model was developed specifically at the request of the US government.
Of course, the Marathon brand will also offer you versions without these inscriptions.
The packaging here is standard for the Marathon brand.
Our convenient and practical tin.
There is a certificate, and there is a small instruction manual with the specifications for this particular watch.
Link to the watch HERE .
Finally, today I want to show you the model that I personally probably liked the most.
Marathon Watch 41mm Steel Navigator with Date (SSNAV-D) on Black 3-Piece Rubber Strap Kit WW194013SS-0130
This is the Marathon from the Navigator Pilots collection. That is, it is an aviator watch.
The model does not come in a standard package. In the tin box you will find, as always, the watch, a certificate, instructions, and part of the strap.
But in the same additional box, you will find 3 more additional and spare parts of the belt, right with the buckle.
The aviator collection itself first appeared in 1986 when the Marathon brand officially began making watches for the famous military unit Kelly Air Force Base.
I like the way this watch looks, I like its size, because we're used to giant aviator watches, and this one is really neat.
Diameter - 41 mm, from lug to lug - 48 mm, thickness - 11 mm, weight - 93 grams.
It looks really sexy on my hand. And, as I said, I personally really like it.
The design of the 316L stainless steel case is really cool. A kind of half-turtle. Sandblasted finish, matte color, so as not to create unnecessary glare and not attract attention.
A very convenient head that screws into the case, although there is a small water resistance of 100 meters, but with such parameters you can safely swim.
We have a bidirectional bezel with 90 clicks. It's very comfortable, I like the click, but again there is some play, which again doesn't bother me.
We have an ETA F06.412 quartz movement with Precidrive technology. It is super accurate. The error per year is about 10 seconds.
Plus you can see that there is quick access for replacing the battery.
Sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating, and under it again a matte dial. Tritium hands and markers and a warning in the form of a radioactive icon.
Classically, there is already a 12 and 24 hour display.
I like that the final seconds hand is made red. It really stands out.
The price today is almost $1700. Link to the watch HERE .
And, as I said, this is probably my favorite.
Well, I'm ready to sum up.
We looked at 3 models. 2 diving, one field, and one aviator.
How do I feel?
I see that the Marathon brand actually works under contracts with the military of the USA, Canada, and other countries. At the same time, it gives the opportunity to buy these watches to those who like this style.
For example, me. And I'm an ordinary man, I have no military education, I've never served. But I like these watches, and I want to be involved in this story. This is how the brand affects us. Because I understand that it's nice to wear a watch that is currently sitting somewhere on the hand of a man who is participating in real combat operations.
The second point is quality.
I can't say it's exactly super quality, but it's good enough to make this watch feel like a very expensive version of an activity watch.
Because if you want cheap, you buy Casio . If you want something expensive, then Luminox is revealed to you, and even further, as you can see, the same Marathon.
I like the configuration, that these watches are certified for adults, that everything in them is made for activities. Even if it is mechanical, it is shockproof. That is, it is not just a stylish accessory. They are really ready for a fight.
Yes, they are not cheap. But considering the attention to detail, the brand, its history, its collaborations, which we will talk about in a future review, it is an adequate price.
You can now buy these beauties from the official dealer in Ukraine at Feeltime with a 2-year warranty. Link to the brand catalog HERE .
