Marathon watches

Come on in and introduce yourself!
General watch talk.
User avatar
poppydog
aka Nelldog
Posts: 5887
Joined: Sun Feb 21, 2010 12:31 pm
Name: Steve
Location: Norfolk, UK

Marathon watches

Post by poppydog » Mon Feb 18, 2019 11:25 pm

Thinking about getting one to go alongside my CWC diver, and wondered if anyone has any experience / thoughts of them. I like the design and the lume, as well as the option of straps, which CWC doesn't have. Are they really "issued and worn by troops in Iraq and Afghan' " like their website says?
Regards

Steve

User avatar
Nellipj
Posts: 5550
Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2012 4:56 am
Name: Patrick
Location: Frankfort, IL

Re: Marathon watches

Post by Nellipj » Tue Feb 19, 2019 3:45 am

I’ve had multiple GSAR’s over the years. Fantastic watches. You can’t go wrong there. Lots of DWC members have had a Marathon in one version or another. Do it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

sukUbus
Posts: 925
Joined: Mon Jun 04, 2012 6:22 pm
Name: Tecumseh

Re: Marathon watches

Post by sukUbus » Tue Feb 19, 2019 4:28 am

IMG_0062.jpg
T-sar


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

User avatar
BacoNoir
Posts: 6392
Joined: Tue May 10, 2016 6:33 pm
Name: Roger
Location: Colorado

Re: Marathon watches

Post by BacoNoir » Tue Feb 19, 2019 6:41 am

I’ve had the SAR twice and loved the design, but hated the thickness.
www.simplynoble.net
Time Magazine Person of the Year - 2006

Image

User avatar
Joeprez
Wants to see pics of your wife
Posts: 13843
Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2013 5:36 am
Name: Joe
Location: Puerto Rico

Re: Marathon watches

Post by Joeprez » Tue Feb 19, 2019 7:51 am

Owned a couple TSARs (and maybe a GSAR), they are thick but have a flat case back (TSAR), so they wear great on natos, on sub 7" wrist. Ended up selling my last one right after the quartz movement crapped out. Then after selling it, a tritium dial came dislodged from the dial. No sure if its something common or not.
Image

Omega / Tudor / Rolex / Sinn / Doxa / Seiko

User avatar
JDC222
Demander of Intro Threads
Posts: 17664
Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2013 7:30 pm
Name: Dave
Location: Canada

Re: Marathon watches

Post by JDC222 » Tue Feb 19, 2019 8:05 am

Had a bunch of them, can’t go wrong. Excellent customer service too.
Whisky has killed more men than bullets, but most men would rather be full of whisky than bullets.
Winston Churchill.

User avatar
ChuckW
Posts: 1612
Joined: Sun Nov 27, 2011 5:59 pm
Name: Chuck
Location: Atlanta

Re: Marathon watches

Post by ChuckW » Tue Feb 19, 2019 8:19 am

I've owned several GSARs. It's an iconic watch. The bracelet is superb. I'm tempted to see if can pick up one of the original SARs (pre-tritium).
No, it's not Tourettes.

User avatar
toxicavenger
President Tranny
Posts: 48084
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:25 am
Name: HeadDIK
Location: Colorado Springs

Re: Marathon watches

Post by toxicavenger » Tue Feb 19, 2019 8:21 am

poppydog wrote:
Mon Feb 18, 2019 11:25 pm
Are they really "issued and worn by troops in Iraq and Afghan' " like their website says?
So this is gray area. The watches were given a military parts number. The same part number for any watch that military might buy from a company. If your unit paid extra money to get a watch then you might have been issued one. Does not necessarily mean it is a Marathon. And most companies that I have ever seen never got one. I heard a few Marine officers in a unit in Afghanistan got some. I do know officers get more swag than a "leg" like me.

I guess my biggest issue that the military picks the lowest bidder on their gear. This does not always equate to quality at all. So it is funny Marathon wants to be labeled as a GOVT Watch. For non-military types that might sound bad ass. But for me it meant the cheapest gear possible. :crybaby:

User avatar
poppydog
aka Nelldog
Posts: 5887
Joined: Sun Feb 21, 2010 12:31 pm
Name: Steve
Location: Norfolk, UK

Re: Marathon watches

Post by poppydog » Tue Feb 19, 2019 9:58 am

Thanks guys, still mulling it over. And, yes, Terry, I kind of assumed if they were issued it would have more likely been the general purpose quartz or navigator. Still, having said that, the British MoD still issues the CWC quartz diver to the SBS.
Regards

Steve

User avatar
toxicavenger
President Tranny
Posts: 48084
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:25 am
Name: HeadDIK
Location: Colorado Springs

Re: Marathon watches

Post by toxicavenger » Tue Feb 19, 2019 10:50 am

poppydog wrote:
Tue Feb 19, 2019 9:58 am
Thanks guys, still mulling it over. And, yes, Terry, I kind of assumed if they were issued it would have more likely been the general purpose quartz or navigator. Still, having said that, the British MoD still issues the CWC quartz diver to the SBS.
I don't know if I said it correctly but the watch that was assigned that part number doesn't necessarily mean it was a Marathon. It could have been a g-shock, Timex, Luminox etc.

I know our SF/JSOC guys only got Sunnto's or G-shock only.

User avatar
matt.wu
Wu
Posts: 29817
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 1:33 pm
Name: m@
Location: SF Bay Area, CA, USA

Re: Marathon watches

Post by matt.wu » Tue Feb 19, 2019 11:54 am

I like Marathon watches. I’d rock another CSAR if I could find a nice one for cheap.
:htfu:

User avatar
CarloDWC
Posts: 2309
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2017 8:08 am
Name: Carlo

Re: Marathon watches

Post by CarloDWC » Tue Feb 19, 2019 12:35 pm

I had some JSARs and they are fantastic. My favorite for sure.

User avatar
deepcdvr
Flipper Extraordinaire
Posts: 13267
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 2:29 pm
Name: Paul

Re: Marathon watches

Post by deepcdvr » Tue Feb 19, 2019 7:00 pm

I’ve had every version and multiple of most. I really like them and they are pretty rugged pieces
VR/
Paul

SI VI PACEM, PARA BELLUM

User avatar
dinexus
Posts: 1246
Joined: Sat Jun 06, 2015 11:22 pm
Name: Zach
Location: Marin

Re: Marathon watches

Post by dinexus » Wed Feb 20, 2019 1:51 pm

Had a TSAR forever – fantastic little watch. Don't sweat the smaller sizes, as they tend wear a bit chunky.

ncstate1201
Posts: 901
Joined: Tue Nov 16, 2010 7:20 pm
Name: Geoff B
Location: Apex, NC

Re: Marathon watches

Post by ncstate1201 » Wed Feb 20, 2019 1:53 pm

I have not owned one, but heard there some issues with them. I have heard of bezels popping off and lume triangles popping out on their own...

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk


User avatar
toxicavenger
President Tranny
Posts: 48084
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:25 am
Name: HeadDIK
Location: Colorado Springs

Re: Marathon watches

Post by toxicavenger » Wed Feb 20, 2019 1:55 pm

ncstate1201 wrote:
Wed Feb 20, 2019 1:53 pm
I have not owned one, but heard there some issues with them. I have heard of bezels popping off and lume triangles popping out on their own...

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
Yes, also the tubes failing out of the dial. Luckily they have really good cs.

ncstate1201
Posts: 901
Joined: Tue Nov 16, 2010 7:20 pm
Name: Geoff B
Location: Apex, NC

Re: Marathon watches

Post by ncstate1201 » Wed Apr 10, 2019 6:17 pm

Ok...I have to correct my comments...found a deal on a marathon and had to give it a go, despite what I have heard.




Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk


User avatar
manitoujoe
Posts: 3443
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 2:37 pm
Name: Mark
Location: Louisville, KY

Re: Marathon watches

Post by manitoujoe » Wed Apr 10, 2019 7:34 pm

This is goofy. There are literally hundreds of positive, incredible reviews about Marathons. There’s even one after 10 years of hard use.

It’s solid, it’s great, you’ll love it. Congrats!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Some people just have a way with words, and other people … oh … not have way.

Steve Martin

User avatar
BBK357
Ban Jacobs
Posts: 28822
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2011 2:01 pm
Name: Vladimir
Location: Ohio

Re: Marathon watches

Post by BBK357 » Wed Apr 10, 2019 7:38 pm

My cousin bought a marathon quartz years ago. He’s a total milleinal long beard barbershop hair half gay. But he does play hockey. He has worn it everyday and he really likes his. But when I see him I think it looks too tall.
DEATH FROM ABOVE
:ak:

User avatar
bedlam
Posts: 1540
Joined: Fri Dec 09, 2011 11:16 pm
Name: Carl
Location: Fremantle, Western Australia (GMT +8)

Re: Marathon watches

Post by bedlam » Wed Apr 10, 2019 7:39 pm

They seem a bit too tall. Have seen a fair few QC issues discussed over time also with the lume pips and bezels.

User avatar
manitoujoe
Posts: 3443
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 2:37 pm
Name: Mark
Location: Louisville, KY

Re: Marathon watches

Post by manitoujoe » Wed Apr 10, 2019 7:39 pm

Hahaha he sounds awesome. And yeah it is tall.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Some people just have a way with words, and other people … oh … not have way.

Steve Martin

User avatar
toxicavenger
President Tranny
Posts: 48084
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:25 am
Name: HeadDIK
Location: Colorado Springs

Re: Marathon watches

Post by toxicavenger » Wed Apr 10, 2019 7:41 pm

manitoujoe wrote:
Wed Apr 10, 2019 7:34 pm
This is goofy. There are literally hundreds of positive, incredible reviews about Marathons.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
What's goofy? There is quite a few complaints about the triangle falling out and the capsules coming loose. We have relumed at least 9 triangles in the last few months.

User avatar
toxicavenger
President Tranny
Posts: 48084
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:25 am
Name: HeadDIK
Location: Colorado Springs

Re: Marathon watches

Post by toxicavenger » Wed Apr 10, 2019 7:42 pm

bedlam wrote:
Wed Apr 10, 2019 7:39 pm
They seem a bit too tall. Have seen a fair few QC issues discussed over time also with the lume pips and bezels.
True. Luckily if it is under warranty Marathon is great to work with.

User avatar
manitoujoe
Posts: 3443
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 2:37 pm
Name: Mark
Location: Louisville, KY

Re: Marathon watches

Post by manitoujoe » Wed Apr 10, 2019 7:42 pm

Not your post buddy. The general concern that Marathons aren’t made well. Taking a chance on a Marathon. That’s goofy.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Some people just have a way with words, and other people … oh … not have way.

Steve Martin

User avatar
toxicavenger
President Tranny
Posts: 48084
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:25 am
Name: HeadDIK
Location: Colorado Springs

Re: Marathon watches

Post by toxicavenger » Wed Apr 10, 2019 7:57 pm

manitoujoe wrote:
Wed Apr 10, 2019 7:42 pm
Not your post buddy. The general concern that Marathons aren’t made well. Taking a chance on a Marathon. That’s goofy.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Yeah they are cool watches. I just wish the bigger versions were a little thinner. I would have a few of them for certain. :mrgreen:

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: djh1201, mattcantwin, Ryeguy and 318 guests