Marathon General Purpose Quartz - The Ultimate Field Watch?

In today's video, I would like to review the Marathon General Purpose Quartz - a field watch with true military credentials. This watch offers tritium illumination, a high quality Swiss movement and impressive build quality for the price of a fashion watch. This watch was very kindly sent in by Page and Cooper which is my watch seller of choice here in England and the official service centre for Sinn watches. I would, however, like to emphasise that I have not been paid for this review.
Link to Page and Cooper's Marathon section: www.pageandcooper.com/brands/...
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[@timschutte8310]

, plain, simple, reliable. everything you need and nothing you don't. perfect.

[@garyggarner7738]

Excellent Review and History! I noticed the movement second hand hit right on the indices indicative of a quality quartz movement.. Thank You for a thorough review!

[@adrianmorris3772]

Good review as always. Looking forward to many more my friend.kind regards , Adrian in Sheffield England.

[@SpaceWalkTraveller]

Page & Cooper are really good to deal with, they make good videos also. Thanks for doing the review much appreciated, it's a great looking field watch, very practical.

[@seanekiely]

Excellent review thank you very much I am seriously considering this watch

[@robbabcock_]

Excellent video! I learned some things I wouldn't have known from just reading the specs.

[@John-jr1qi]

Wow! Epic unboxing. You turned the opening of the most unimpressive box into a life altering saga. Thank you so much!

[@CapnMic]

good review .. I have this watch on my wrist .. it is a utility watch with a very high contrast face .. as are all the marathon line ...which I've found to be very easy for the eye over the range of field lighting conditions .. much more so than any G -shock or other brand of watch ... by contrast to the very good G-shock watches .. this is a lot LESS clunky and cluttered .. the analog watch is the most useful design in a field watch .. sort of reminds me of the dial faces you find in aircraft .. where quick and simple trumps the complex and misunderstood interpretations of measurement ... it is of course a "purpose built" tool .. and while it may not go with all clothing styles and social encounters .. what it does .. it does very well .. I was concerned about the low lume of the trititum .. and realize now that it is really ideal in that it doesn't scream "too bright" .. but just right .. you see it when you need it .. and in low light .. a less intense lume is what I want.

[@hauptma2]

I have a Marathon GPM in stainless steel that was manufactured in my birth year reference GG-W-113. It is an amazing watch. I've been looking at getting the new GPM with the fibershell case for when i get deployed.

[@turnbasedtoddy7664]

He really does give the best review of watches. I love JOMW and The urban gentry but I love how these reviews are strait to the point.

[@MrMcGuy]

Well done my man. You just sold one of these in June of 2024. LIterally placed my order halfway through your video. I absolutely LOVE field watches and this one is right up my alley. Stellar review!

[@MrAdjaize]

informative and extensive review as always .thankyou.

[@blasien1]

Ideal if you actually use a watch in outdoor or difficult environments. Hunting, camping, fishing, hiking... also rough handwork like mechanical assembly or farming/ranching. I love my mechanical luxury watches, but it's rather silly to wear an expensive watch 'in the field' unless you enjoy banging and denting an item costing thousands. When practicality trumps fashion, watches like this one are what I'm looking for.

[@vittoriobiondi4855]

For this kind of use the best is Casio Gshock. Sorry but 30m water resistance is ridiculous.

[@barreltech8949]

I really like style and size of this classic field watch. I want to get one and might replace my victorinox original anniversary in the future.

[@dyingbreed7740]

Haven’t watched the video yet. But I needed to say beforehand that yes. It is the ultimate field watch. Especially with the new sapphire crystal. You can get one with a seiko automatic too.

[@fredfunn5413]

Very nice watch, I like the fiber casing a lot.

[@wick-trimmer1980]

Thanks Armand. I do have a marathon but not this model. I think there a great field watch but they are pricey. Would you ever consider doing a video on hybrid watches? I have my share of automatics and quarts but have been considering something new and technology is of interest to me and maybe others. Have enjoyed all your videos so much good information and have made a few purchase based on them with no regrets. A great channel and love the watch guys!

[@markplayford5836]

Saw the P&C video on it too. Yours goes into much more detail. Superb watch and great value too. Better than a G Shock? Hmmm that's a difficult one. The size did put me off till I saw it on your wrist, mines 7". Would love one but would probably never wear it as I have the Marathon ADANAC too.

[@happydupa]

I bought this after much research in finding a rugged weekend /shop watch. My criteria was that it need be lightweight, preferably small as to not get caught while working on machinery, have a sapphire crystal, and have a quartz movement (best when working on hammering or vibrating equipment). You can get those on any hundreds of watches, but what sold me was the polycarbonite case, the fixed lugs and TRITIUM. If you've never owned a watch with Tritium, you're missing out. Constant, bright lume the entire night, nothing else compares. I found the 16mm strap to be a bit narrow so I squeezed a 18mm leather single pass nato onto it. Much better. Also worth mentioning is that it is available in a sterile dial and no date, which is what I own. This watch has exceeded my expectations and is the only watch that I put on before going to bed at night.

[@vittoriobiondi4855]

Why not a Casio g shock then?

[@alexanderfleming9104]

@@vittoriobiondi4855 Analog dial instead of digital.

[@howing13]

@@vittoriobiondi4855 Maybe you don't have a third hand to press the light button while treating a trauma patient at 4 am in the rain.

[@howing13]

I put a post up, my issue after hours and $hundreads to learn trauma treatment, I need a watch that will work after I've been firing my 12 ga and fell out of a tree, then need to treat a trauma patient at 4 am in the rain. Correct on lume , many are bright for an hour then ok for a few but dark after 6 hrs., (Invicta did hold lume over 12 hrs, the only one I tested that did) Rolex submariner ($20,000) doesn't even have tritium!. anyway this is now the first choice. (Still love my Luminox Navy seals though).

[@vittoriobiondi4855]

@@howing13 ahahhahahaha so you treat a trauma patient in the complete darkness?? I don’t think so. If you have enough light to treat the patient, than you have enough light to see the time on the dial also without backlight or tritium.

[@RagingOatmeal]

Just bought one of these immediately when I found out that its a Canadian based company. Bought it through the Bay too. Cant wait to wear this for hunting and trap shooting.

[@user-yy9lg6gs4h]

Sadly, the 'small-hat-club' owns the company though.

[@barryg4760]

Thanks Armand. A comprehensive review as always. Good stuff although not a fan of this particular time piece

[@chemoautotroph]

I don’t own a Marathon, but I do own a Luminox original Navy Seal which I bought back in 2002 or 2003, that I think blows your watch out of the water. In all these years I’ve gone thru one battery change and three straps. The lume on that watch is the best, still to this date, of all my watches, not counting my G-Shocks which I also think are better field watches for the money. Good review though. Thanks for sharing.

[@ryansingh5409]

I like this watch. If I had this I’d wear it everyday and for outdoor activities such as, camping.

[@generalpatton272]

Great watch. Great video. Thank you.

[@davep2103]

Lighter color bezel reminds me of the Stocker and Yale manual wind mechanical field watch.

[@jfilm7466]

I just bought a vintage one. Can't wait to see how the Tritium has helped up after three decades.

[@errorsofmodernism7331]

Tritium has a half life of 12 years son

[@1212matt]

Great presentation I would like to know how long the battery life is on this watch I had just ordered it However I cannot find any information on the battery life

[@waktosha7378]

I have the mechanical version of this watch and love it! It has a sapphire crystal too. The quartz reviewed is nice too if you are into quartz. I do have to say my watch is a bit expensive for what is is, even though I am glad to I bought it. Also all new general purpose field watches water resistance are improved to 5 atm.

[@JunkfoodZombieGuns]

Waktosha 73 I also have the automatic version and absolutely Love it. I am so impressed by it, I wear it most every day. It is simple, and durable, and the Seiko movement is super reliable. Not for someone who wants people to notice their fancy watch though.

[@pumpkin91ful]

The only downside is the 5atm ,you can't swim with that...

[@nathanmaynard131]

Just bought this same exact watch. Will be using for basically anything outdoors other than wading rivers to fish and kayaking. I go with at least 200m water resistance for those specific water-heavy activities to be safe, but other than that, the GPQ will fill all the outdoor roles I need it to. Can’t wait until it’s delivered!

[@josephillingworth1852]

How has it held up over those activities?

[@nathanmaynard131]

@@josephillingworth1852 Has held up remarkably well. Have worn it hiking, backpacking, as well as some fishing where I’m not in the water wading. Legible in all lighting

[@user-yy9lg6gs4h]

@@josephillingworth1852 Another guy on here has a review of 2 years of use. He claims he uses it around water. In the rain, washing his hands etc. camping and doesn't baby it. I know you can dip them in trench water. They are designed to handle that. BUT not pressureised water, including wading as Nathan said, as this amounts to pressure.

[@Mark-P]

A great choice for a backup watch.

[@bsojdfo]

Awesome review.

[@flyingvengeance]

I was issued the stainless steel version of this watch in the USAF probably 16-20 years ago. I loved it but I had the issue of the second hand falling off and we didn't get them repaired but turned them in and just got a new one. After MANY failed they started to issue us Timex Triathlon digital watches which never had any issues. Not as cool a watch but better quality. I would never recommend buying a Marathon because of the quality issues we saw. Maybe they have gotten better or have a lifetime repair warranty but really there are so many other watches now which are better built. Great review though and I honestly miss how bright the Tritium glow which you could almost read by in black conditions.

[@diablo2punk]

I actually definitely recommend Marathon watches. If they had quality issues 2 decades ago, they've come a long way since then. My TSAR diver that I bought last year is still mint, even after being rough with it. Tritium still glows very nicely in any Tritium watch.

[@davebuck2494]

I was issued Marathon watches (black plastic case manual wind mechanical) in the Canadian Army in the 1990s, and I never had a single one fail, or break in any fashion. I did lose a couple though. Prior to the 1970s we were issued Hamiltons (I still have one I 'lost'), then a brief period where we had Stocker and Yale.

[@NicholasBaronMorgan]

great review

[@dr.stevenpennym.d.3241]

Just got mine today...It screams quality. My only question is can one change the battery? Top quality and excellent video...

[@diablo2punk]

Of course, just take the backside off.

[@timgore829]

I love all your content, but I take great pleasure in hearing your proper "Queen's English" accent as well as your flawless French pronunciation. I'm quite the Anglophile since I visited London back in 1991. Cheers, from your American friend in Los Angeles!

[@w.c.wilson8753]

For a quartz operated field watch, I like the G-Shock Gulfman, with solar charging and atomic timekeeping. The Marathon only makes sense to me as an Automatic.

[@MrSwaggernaut83]

Do they no longer make versions where the dial says both Marathon and US Government? I looked on their site and it seems to be one or the other depending on if you get the govt. markings version or not...

[@mnpd3]

I was a Property Book Officer (PBO) in the Army. Everything that would fit came in such a paper box, complete with the white label describing the item in "militaryese" and the NSN (National Stock Number). The dial is still about the same, but the earlier generation of military watches were daily-wind, mechanical Benrus make. Oddly, although I had to keep track of the watches on the book as Non-Expendable Items, I've never issued any of the watches or know of any PBO who did. It was just one of those things you had to have (TDA or TOE) even if never used. One annoying item was the Officer's Mess Kit. In my lifetime (and before) officers ate the same rations as the men. Somewhere in bygone days I suppose officers ate at messes attended to by stewards wearing white, and nibbling cuisine with fancy sterling silverware. Maybe in the British Army.

[@howing13]

I was able to hook a few radium dial watches from supply in the late 70's, I have it put away now so well I forgot where I put it, it wasn't Marathon though.

[@lggfgg3911]

Will the round plastic of the back cover lower the seal?

[@RiffDevin]

I'm certain that Ball use tritium too. I like the look as a basic functional timepiece but not sure it's got what it takes for a dress watch. Good review though

[@ryanblake4790]

Wait how did u get one with a date ?

[@Mrplacedcookie]

Can I use a two piece strap?

[@insightman9632]

What is the name of the suggested strap on the video?

[@shatner99]

Is Bertucci's entry level 36mm black resin one the best poor man's GPQ?

[@temujinadonijah6365]

Even though this watch is very small I am considering giving it a try But what I would like to know Is why you never reviewed an automatic one Manual wind Is it because you are not endorsing them?, The Fact that it can go 30 m is low I like the fact you explain the tritium is not harmful To the skin Actually seeking something like a 40 to 44 mm field watch with 300mm depth Sapphire crystal Solid case back My budget is £2,000 I would look forward to any ideas please I also wish you to be automatic And not an American brand

[@nathanaelsmith3553]

Love it - had a cheapo knock off like this in the past. Just bought a Bertucci with a fiber reinforced polymer case so not bothered about lack of steel. Would love this watch but would prefer one with crown guards. Might swap my Bertucci's hefty strap for one more like this though. This Marathon has a lot of features for the price.

[@user-yy9lg6gs4h]

Stocker and Yale has crown guards. But pricey and difficult to find.

[@cretan911]

nice canadian watch..... , and Eternal Flame Casio makes great watches. But dang this is sweet!!! I Love the marathon diver as well.

[@diablo2punk]

Marathon watches are Swiss made.

[@mgmmaze]

@@diablo2punk the company marathon is out of Canada though

[@sashachip]

Just because the company is Canadian owned does not make it a Canadian watch- its manufactured in Switzerland.

[@user-yy9lg6gs4h]

Diver was too top heavy for me. Sold it for this.

[@richardelyii3672]

I have a Traser German military issue quartz watch I bought in 1993. It has a titanium case, uni directional nylon bezel with tritium 12 marker, screw down crown and case back, and tritium dial. It cost just under $300.00. It is far superior and has a 100 meter water resistance. It is a great military watch. I recommend Trader over Marathon, both are Swiss.

[@acha5131]

What is the model you speak of?

[@richardelyii3672]

It was called the Officer. It has been out of catalogue for over five years. I do not know the reference number. Micro Tek still services it.

[@davebuck2494]

Marathon also makes the same watch with an automatic movement. Can we please get a review of that one?

[@pumpkin91ful]

@@chanslorvalorum6905 Tell me more about that?,so Marathon (General purpose)automatic before 2012 .were swiss made?

[@salemmebarki7753]

Douse anyone know what the water resists id

[@davebuck2494]

I have the automatic mechanical version, which I prefer. It can be wound, and has a hack feature that many automatic watches do not have. Marathon are good value. I Am saving up for a Government Search and Rescue diver.

[@user-yy9lg6gs4h]

Got the diver. Too top heavy. Too big. Hated it and sold it for this in automatic.

[@Biblicalgiants]

Marathon rocks! U.S. Government on the dial! So sweet!

[@user-yy9lg6gs4h]

I went for NGM, dangerous if travelling to have US Gov on dial.

[@labrat7357]

W???ill the strap fit my 9.5 inch wrist???

[@musmustafa7900]

great watch, good video but i just don't like the shape of this watch. I like a round dial that does not sit in a square type shape. Don't think its necessary for this watch.

[@splootan]

Are you the guy from Talking watches?

[@figodwnnieto2581]

I wish these watches were still the prices quoted. Lowest of this kind I've found new when looking is £240 now and it goes up to over £300.

[@eikhorn1177]

Talking about reflective dials giving away your position, wouldnt the tritium indicators do the same in low light conditions? Or is the glow so minimal it wont be seen past a few meters.

[@kabatake]

Is it water proof?

[@dimatha7]

G-Shock is the ultimate field watch. I had a marathon field and after a knock the seconds hand came off and although the watch kept ticking the hand stuck and blocked between the hands. So I only choose digital for outdoors.

[@user-yy9lg6gs4h]

Not it at all really. You cant navigate with it easily. Analog you can. Analog is more versatile, more elegant and dare I say obviously more mature choice. Put your G-Shock is a very hot car or in the sun on a vey hot day for 2 hours and see what happens to it🤣

[@dimatha7]

@@user-yy9lg6gs4h put yourself in a car and see what will happen...

[@dimatha7]

@@user-yy9lg6gs4h you know what happens when you knock an analog watch? the hands come off and then you have no watch at all!

[@benfrancis4628]

Good review, thanks Armand. The watch... good for the houseplants, not for us frogs - I’m sticking to the PRS 👍🏻

[@benfrancis4628]

DesTroisCents - hi, Precista PRS18, or Precista-93 for the original 👍🏻

[@rajgill7576]

How long is that tritium gonna glow for? I wanna know when to order my next one lol

[@ArmandTheWatchGuy]

+Raj Gill: The tritium should last about 13 years before only being half as bright.

[@user-yy9lg6gs4h]

Tritium is REPLACEABLE

[@melwaller2558]

Having been an attack helicopter pilot for years, I feel this watch hits a perfect spot of usable functionality. Now I have to decide on it or new Hamilton field watch.

[@kini5000]

Mel Waller you chose Hamilton, right?

[@waktosha7378]

The Hamilton is great, but if you care about lume, the Hamilton absolutely sucks ! It has the lime of a cheap $5 Chinese crap watch. If you don't care about lime, then the Hamilton is a much better watch. Btw, I own the Hamilton mechanical field watch, and a Marathon mechanical field watch. I do like my Marathon though.

[@StraitClownin909]

@@chanslorvalorum6905 I'd be surprised if that were true. Regardless, the case on my 38mm khaki auto is super nice.

[@codyprice4592]

Bertucci makes some awesome field watches. Solid Titanium. Integrated lugs so they'll never break, and lume is actually impressive. They even have the Super Yankee model with Tritium that's very affordable. Straps are beefy and its paper weight light. Just my opinion.

[@HKnK8]

how long would these last before battery change?

[@Brees1986]

2-5 years

[@rikoflishas]

I prefer them over the stainless steel marathon

[@shatner99]

Is the durability much greater than the Seiko movement version?

[@user-yy9lg6gs4h]

Of course it is, yes. Its quartz. Also the ETA-FO6 quartz has shock compensation. If jarred it will not lose time.

[@brucellinus]

I am a bit confused here. This review, as well as the Page & Cooper website, states that the crystal is sapphire. Yet the manufacturer's own website clearly states that the crystal is Hesalite (hence acrylic). The downloadable spec sheet makes that clear, as well. Which is it?

[@ArmandTheWatchGuy]

+brucellinus: Apologies for the misunderstanding. The reason for this is that these specs are for the pre-2018 model which is all fibreshell and acrylic. The materials have changed this year.

[@brucellinus]

If such is the case (no pun intended), I'm wondering why the manufactuer's own USA web store would not offer the "2018" model?

[@waktosha7378]

brucellinus If they did then they wouldn't be able to sell off their old inventory. They probably will after getting rid of what they have.

[@Locnar89]

The Inox seems like a better choice for indestructible field watch if we’re going to delve into quartz movements. It’s better looking and far more durable.

[@chrisrichardson5462]

Agreed. I would personally take both, but the Inox is my favorite of the two by far.

[@user-yy9lg6gs4h]

Inox too heavy. Too mainstream and NOT MIL-SPEC. I also think there is more to this watch than you think! Do some more research.

[@justinfitzpatrick5502]

As a Marathon JDD owner here is what I think. Is it indestructable? No. my JDD has stopped twice since 2015 and I sent it to Marathon both times. Did they treat me well? Yes. They fixed my watch both times for minimal cost. Do i have any regrets on the cost of the timepiece? No. It is pretty much the best tough analog watch available today, with sapphire and tritium. Buy again? I would do my "due dillagence" as they say, one should try to find whats best for themselves, but Yes I would buy another Marathon watch.

[@OoavastoO]

Designed in Canada🇨🇦, made in Switzerland🇨🇭

[@vultub.3933]

If you could take this watch for a swim, I would buy it...

[@sirgigachad1894]

What is the water resistens?

[@pumpkin91ful]

3 atm,new ones 5atm

[@CyberRabid.]

IMHO a field watch should always be a low beat automatic. The lower vph gives the movement great durability and is usually fairly inexpensive. Boctok (Vostok) and Seiko instantly come to mind.

[@firefighter387]

Hi great review and a great watch I went on the P&G Web site and they have a coupon 15%off making it £144.50 even better value.

[@feralfeline6137]

From £170 to now £225, yikes. I guess I have to search for grey import.

[@boston961]

What's the water resistance on this watch ?

[@gregbarry5875]

30 meters...not suitable for showering

[@user-yy9lg6gs4h]

@@gregbarry5875 You should not shower with any watch regardless of WR rating. Heat expands seals and promotes water ingress. Watch was tested to 50m in factory, but is given a 30m rating. Technically speaking you could swim or wade with it, but it would be risky and is not recommended. Rain and splashes are fine.

[@steven3379]

Why does it have to go back to Marathon for battery replacement? That sounds kind of inconvenient.

[@ArmandTheWatchGuy]

+Steven: Sorry about that, I think I was not terribly clear. The battery can be changed by anyone with a caseback tool and the correct battery though I would recommend that it is sent back to Marathon.

[@steven3379]

Armand The Watch Guy No problem, thanks!

[@barreltech8949]

Any certified watchmaker or technician can change it, but only take it to a reputable service center.

[@sblaney66]

The only problem is the lack of decent water resistance.

[@Manbrown1]

What about Traser watches !

[@bryanparker2855]

They all seem to be for big wrists. Is there any mid-sized Traser model for men available (36mm-38mm)?

[@robbertblok5612]

Nice watch. The only gripe to me is that it only has 30 meters waterresistance. That is far to little and makes this a very unpractical watch for what it is supposed to be, namely a tool watch to carry on every occasion. If only it would have a 100 meters water Resistance i would order one in a heartbeat

[@Brees1986]

How often do you dive below 100’?

[@mococaboy17]

Stocker and Yale 184 Sandy anyone?

[@miked2662]

I love it but funny enough in my six years in the U.S. Army I've never seen one, I wonder who they tend to be issued to? Also, what was the story behind the rubber piece on the caseback?

[@diablo2punk]

You'd easily overlook Marathon watches, but that is probably what they intended on anyway. Maybe a harder look and you'd see quite a few? Amongst a sea of digital watches anyway.

[@mgmmaze]

Ya 12 years in the Marines and I never seen them "issued" to anyone. Unless the high speed cats are getting them but those dudes usually get to open purchase basically anything they want

[@sravankotturu7982]

Hi i need your help in shipping this watch to India please, is that possible?

[@hjander]

Height w/strap?

[@user-yy9lg6gs4h]

Quartz 11mm. Mechanical version 12mm. With straps dunno.

[@okinawapunter]

34mm !!!

[@sfhdiosha]

Nice watch, but for field watch I think its to expensive... I can get everything with casio f91w, 10$ and those little bastards are durable as hell

[@user-yy9lg6gs4h]

You dont get class, or European made. Casio is a kids watch

[@arkiepoo]

For that price surely they can do better than 30m water resistance. One of the ugliest watches I've seen also. But good review.

[@matthewbliss3599]

i had this watch. one day it rained and got condensation inside the crystal.i wasted my money.

[@crabbysam]

Had this watch in the military and have one now, both my military issued GP Marathon and the one I have now have been put through inclement weather and abused HEAVILY and never exhibited your experiences. The only issue I have is the military made us turn them in once seperated and they then get destroyed, would have been nice if we could have simply purchased it rather than turned it in. I also own a mechanical Marathon, that I don't abuse like the General purpose models. Perhaps you bought a counterfeit marathon or you have a micro hairline crack on the acrylic bezel? It's fairly difficult to get water in them as they're slightly different than most watches as they're pressed fit cases verses screw off

[@user-yy9lg6gs4h]

@@crabbysam Interesting. Do you know why the military makes the mechanical fibershell version and who is it issued too? Perhaps ordnance-engineers or fuel service personel for ATEX cirtification purposes? Always wondered this...

[@ElCajondePepillo]

I still think that the ultimate field watch, is a watch that the most of watch enthusiasts don't like, and it's a G-Shock!.

[@ZCherish]

The Eternal why do you think watch enthusiasts don't like the G Shock line? As far as I know, most enthusiasts enjoy and respect the line.

[@jasonamoako9729]

The Eternal so right

[@magikarp2285]

too big

[@JerehmiaBoaz]

I do navigate using a watch, and guess what it's a milspec GPS watch. I don't care how it looks as long as it shows me my heading and gets me there, keeps accurate time, and has breadcrumb navigation so I can retrace my steps in case I get lost. Sunrise/sunset indication, a second time zone, a countdown timer and an alarm function would be nice too, but aren't a must. By the way it's far more easy to read military/zulu time from a digital watch because you don't have to do any calculations but can just literally read out/write down the numbers on the digital display, and you don't have trouble with misreading the time when the watch is in an unusual orientation either.

[@Pavilions2]

I think the G-Shock was originally made for KingKong then they sold it to humans.

[@shatner99]

Wouldn’t second hand need to be lit as well? Those night operations like on Hogan’s Heroes would need a lumed, or tubed second hand. I still know nothing.

[@lutylives1852]

I can only theorise that maybe a tube on the seconds hand would make it too heavy and cause unnecessary wear with the quartz version where it is flung from second to second? Their more expensive mechanicals do have tubes on the second hand. Or perhaps it's just not profitable, but I don't know how much one more tube would add to their costs.

[@shatner99]

@@lutylives1852 good points, thanks

[@user-yy9lg6gs4h]

I had the same thought for many years! Yes the Eta-F06 quartz is capable of driving a tritium second hand/ hands. Their metal version (also) comes in a quartz and is does have tritium on the second hand. Not sure why it wasn't included here. Personally I think it looks better without it on this model though. I noticed we are now seeing more and more watches with lumed second hands. This never use to be the case.

[@davelee9791]

A great classic style piece unlike the other field watches like the vulgar G Shock..there is no doubt it is rugged but it looks like a child's transformer toy on the wrist...

[@Wylder955]

Key word in your comment is STYLE and style has no place in the field. Watch needs to be cheap, rugged and accurate rest does not really matter in the field. Most watches used in the military are g-shocks,pro-treks and of course you can find guys with el cheapo watches and people that wear high end watches that cost 500$ and more. Most of the guys in my unit had g-shock ga100a1 with both lcd and analog.

[@Wylder955]

@Weird Science Gear is expendable and unless issued the average person won't spend big cash on gear because he will have to replace it himself. I've worn g-shock in heat where the soles of your boots stick to the road and had no problem whatsoever on a side note you have both analog and digital g-shocks.

[@Wylder955]

@Weird Science A few weeks ?

[@Wylder955]

@Weird Science Let me set you straight first of all i'm not an american least of all a marine second you have no idea how much time or at what place i was in so no need to to bring out your thermometer. Secondly you talk like a person with 0% military experience(either a civilian or a chair riding officer). 0% of the military that pounds dirt is payed high enough to buy a 500$ watch or more with the chance of having to replace is 2-3 times a year. Conversation over.Enjoy your goat wife.

[@thomash4578]

What exactly are you two arguing about?

[@stevenc8054]

Got one for $ 80

[@Beck-Stein]

The 30m water resistance kills an otherwise nice watch. Should be at least 100m.

[@user-yy9lg6gs4h]

Not viable nor necessary from a military procurement assessment

[@brbw.7484]

Disagree about resistant. I would actually say delicate! Had the Navigator bezel break off doing what I’ve done in the gym for years. I might add, it also cost $25 and $15 shipping for a featherweight piece of plastic. I like the watches but would not consider to be field rated at all.

[@user-yy9lg6gs4h]

Thats why you dont buy a rotating bezel watch.

[@guyvanburen]

My only grip is 16mm strap a bit small. Should be 18mm. 20mm wouldn’t look odd

[@user-yy9lg6gs4h]

Its meant to be. Less skin irritation in the desert/less weight. Its a mans watch, not a fashion accessory.

[@Natter20002]

I bought one in 2009. It always stopped running. It was because the battery would not stay secured. To change the battery you pop off the back instead of unscrewing it. Anyways once I dropped it on the floor and three of the tubes came loose and now rattle around inside the watch. Oh well.

[@newgunguy4176]

No watch in existence should ever have less 100m water resistance. Ever!

[@user-yy9lg6gs4h]

When you are building 300,000 of them (in Switzerland) tell that to the tax payers. Its good enough for its intended purpose.

[@adnoHis1]

Very Nice Watch. I just think it is just too Small at 34mm. For me the Smallest should be 38-39mm. However in the video in your wrist doesn't look that small. I do have smaller wrists and the Seiko SNK809 at 37mm looks on the small side already. How Come. Can you put them side by side?

[@steveh.3370]

Field watches are intended to be small. Less likely to get caught on something, and more room for other things on the wrist.

[@robw3027]

Think the Marathon watches are good- but not as good as they make them out to be. Troubling to me is how they are now marketing more variants clearly for the civilian sales market. Plus higher prices. So the question I ask is where does the military/Government spec. quality end and the lessened civilian market quality begin. When a military watch starts being marketed in different colored case choices, to me you have to start wondering.

[@DaOneJoel]

Great tools, but not my cup of tea lookwise.

[@pumpkin91ful]

The only downside is the water resistance:only 3Atm upgraded to 5 atm,not enough....