Marathon GSAR Automatic Diver Review - Tough, Military Dive watch with 300 meters water resistance

[@kamael1125]

Hi. Apologies for my comments below but I am absolutely in love with this watch (don't have it yet). Tritium in those doses is not hazardous by any means. Radioactivity symbol is required by US regulations because tritium is radioactive and every radioactive material needs to be marked as such. Its beta particles cannot penetrate human skin. It can be dangerous when ingested but again... Quantities present in this watch are far from dangerous Even if you would ate the whole thing 😁 Just think about it: dangerously radioactive watch would not be sold on commercial or any other market. Another thing: tritium emmits constant light due to its Radioactivity, on its own. It does not react with sunlight like lume material. Therefore it will be emmiting light for as long as there is enough tritium in the tubes which according to Marathon lasts about 20 years. So your comment about 24h light is innacurate as well.

[@BobbyLegs]

I appreciate the clarification! I will pin this.

[@kamael1125]

100% agreed on the clasp. Its actually disgrace at this price point. 200usd watches have better ones. I have no idea why they are doing this. Is bracelet itself comfortable?

[@oscarosullivan4513]

Shame its no longer widely used

[@2ndjourneyfirearms878]

I have one and it has become my most worn watch over the past few months. Tough, comfortable and great legibility at a glance. I have mine on a single pass black nato and it’s a perfect look.

[@cnaarndt]

I am a retired Marine Huey Pilot (Search and Rescue) and I have the USMC logo version. Absolutely love this watch. And white it spends most of its time on various NATO and Zulu straps, the bracelet is great, and very comfortable. To all of you critics of the bracelet clasp, I'm sorry you're just spoiled. I've been a watch enthusiast for over 40 years. I never minded the so called "cheap" clasp on my 1983 GMT Master (which BTW just appraised at over $20K), and I don't mind this clasp. Remember, this is a government issued service watch.

[@BobbyLegs]

First, thank you for your service. Second, I only bring this up because many microbrands at a lower price point have better built claps. I'm not spoiled, I think the watch is great and it's not a deal breaker. We live in a progressive world and things improve over time. No reason why Marathon can't improve the clasp. This is just my opinion. I don't have the market cornered on being right. Thank you and I appreciate your comment.

[@cnaarndt]

@@BobbyLegs Hi Bobby, thanks for the reply, but you may have missed my points, so to be clear... First, the GSAR is built to government specifications and completely milled clasps are not needed in a tool watch designed for working SAR personal. Then there is the cost, the government is not willing to pay for this extra level of quality when it's not needed. Remember, I have been wearing Rolex watches for close to 40 years. My '83 GMT Master was worn every day 24/7, 365 for almost 22 years. The watch still looks and functions fantastically, and it's so called flimsy hollow end and center link bracelet has never been an issue in 37 years! BTW fellow KZbinrs and friends Tim Mosso, Paul Thorpe and "The IDGuy" have all seen my GMT and are amazed at its condition. The Marathon bracelet is of similar or better quality than my old Rolex, it's more than up to the task for what it is, a tool watch for the military, not some show piece for non-diver watch collectors. So, are there better bracelets out there at a less expensive price point? Absolutely. Is Marathon marketing towards the strictly civilian watch buying public... No. Now, I will criticize the cost of the Marathon Bracelet, as compared to its quality. Strapecode bracelets are better quality at 2/3 the price. Maybe Strapcode should make a bracelet for the GSAR. I have an "Angus Jubilee" on my highly modified SKX007, and it's my favorite bracelet. In closing, not to say you're wrong either, just my perspective as a Marine Aviator, professional Search and Rescue Pilot, dive qualified in the Marines, and a professional pilot for 45+ years. As someone who collects pilots, diver and field watches, I use/d and abused them all for their intended purposes. instagram.com/1955healey100/

[@oscarosullivan4513]

@@cnaarndt Why didn’t you move over to a g shock. Plus it isn’t the 80’s anymore

[@Navs126]

@Oscar O’Sullivan Great comment. Much added value to a constructive adult conversation 🙄

[@peterc3700]

I guess this proves the old saying “any publicity is good publicity”. Great fun pic as well as a great review. We all need a smile! Thanks!

[@edwinthomas618]

Great vid. I love my Contract 2001 SAR. I need more to 3 more to finish the collection.

[@JMGeranimo]

I love these watches, but you are right about the clasp. Same depth or deeper with the same movement and ceramic bezels for way less is available.

[@Brian-ee1gx]

I think you are missing the point. This is a genuine milspec watch, not a luxury watch. A bezel material like ceramic which could chip or shatter on impact wouldn't be suitable. And the clasp gets the job done. Stamped clasps were good enough for Rolex to use for 60+ years. Never heard of those fail.

[@JMGeranimo]

@@Brian-ee1gx my point is they have competition now, I also doubt these are issued anymore , if they are it's a rarity. Everyone either uses dive watches or a g shock or Timex in my experience.

[@Brian-ee1gx]

@@JMGeranimo The military contracts are still in place, and the watches are still issued. And this is a dive watch, and a pretty serious one at that. I don't see much competition for it outside of a few other brands like Sinn and Demasko. Sinn charges more for a similarly spec'd watch, and uses a stamped clasp too.

[@blueshirtbuddah1665]

Great review on a very cool Marathon. Good job Bobby.

[@BobbyLegs]

thank you blueshirt!

[@juniorjohnson5961]

👊

[@watchcollectingstrategy]

That thumbnail is amazing!!!🤣👍

[@BobbyLegs]

thanks WCS!!!!

[@Mark-sd7fc]

Tritium tubes film very well with a black light!!

[@Wilburnator]

Yeah, they say it's because of the tubes needing clearance that the watch needs to be so thick, but just looking at it, it seems like they could easily slim it a millimeter or 2. If it was just a touch slimmer, I'd already have bought one

[@mrbacchus6127]

Funny thumbnail. Are they still called thumbnails or am I dating myself every time I say that? One thing I like is the watch is so busy and the dial is so deep it is like you are looking down into a precision instrument.

[@TheSH1N1GAM1]

I still hear everyone call it a thumbnail! Not sure if there’s another term for it too.

[@oscarosullivan4513]

Title card

[@mrbacchus6127]

@@oscarosullivan4513 interesting that the new term of title cards is the same term used in silent movies 100 years ago

[@aminreviews2311]

Cool watch. I wondered why they had such a deep dial!

[@JMGeranimo]

This and Victorinox inox auto , and the Airboss Mach 9 have my wallet soon. I have a bnib vostok 100 series if you want to review, ordered the mesh bracelet as afterthought. Watch is here , bracelets are close

[@southnx]

Nice GSAR. Awesome tool watch!

[@dankuettel5063]

On some of these the lume insert at 12 on the bezel tends to fall out

[@JMGeranimo]

Still can't get over these, 41mm doesn't sound as big as people describe it. My Vostok is listed at 41mm and didn't think it was big, thick yes lol.

[@oscarosullivan4513]

I have the 710 case with 379 dial

[@juniorjohnson5961]

You need a picture of me on the mantle !

[@doofy28]

Excellent review!

[@JMGeranimo]

What's your wrist size?

[@BobbyLegs]

6.75 inches

[@JMGeranimo]

@@BobbyLegs I'm obsessed over this or the monster jdd my wrist is 7.25 at the smallest. Been rocking vostocks lately lol. Found a lightly used jdd for a good price too.810 with bracelet and 2straps

[@oscarosullivan4513]

Mine is 7.5 inches