Marathon GSAR full Military review: Is it worth it?

[@death-to-dogma6142]

My issued GSAR ate shit and died on a deployment. It got smacked against a .50 cal locker and the crown broke off. RIP

[@Motibreva]

Great review. I have the arctic dial model and it runs about 0.2 seconds per day, which is pretty amazing!

[@AbnStubby]

Nice review! I purchased the same watch at the beginning of the Summer. They had great military discounts and the watch was on sale already for Father’s Day. Mine ran a little fast out of the box…about 12-15 spd. I tracked it for a few days and then reached out to Marathon. They had me send it in. Took a little while to get it back but it came back regulated perfectly. I dare say it is running at COSC/METAS levels. Tough watch that looks great on any bracelet or strap. I’m currently running it on a WCWC FKM Rubber Waffle Strap. For anyone considering the GSAR, watch for the sales and then pull the trigger…you’ll be happy!

[@Cordova10-8]

How much did you get it for?

[@AbnStubby]

@ I think it was on sale at $1,275 (down from the regular price of $1,500) and then they gave me a military discount which brought the price down to $1,145. So a pretty decent discount! It’s a nice watch and seems to be, like everyone else describes it…a tank. It’s not a small watch, and definitely has that “presence” but it wears smaller than I expected. A great size for my 7-1/4” wrists.

[@Cordova10-8]

@AbnStubby Thanks man. Also, funny I applied for my discount and it got approved right as you replied. Im seeing pretty much the same numbers.

[@markellis6101]

My GSAR also runs a little fast. Good to know that is normal. I liove this watch. I like it because it also doesn't transmit anything. Anything that transmits can be found.

[@MLightstone]

If you take it to a watchmaker, they can regulate it, making it run perfectly to time.

[@marcmmclellan]

I dig the NATO strap for the retention. If one pin fails the watch will hang letting you know. Regular strap gone! While doing zodiac training back in the day, the rope caught the (luckily cheap) watch about a foot from shore. Somewhere in the Pacific now…

[@juergenedgarmauriciooberfr2745]

Great review!!! Your watch is running faster because it has definitely received shocks. I had the same problem and a master watchmaker checked it and told me it was because of the shocks

[@immortalsoul9122]

It’s a nice looking watch for sure!

[@luketorrey1694]

1:37 I appreciate that you were giving a real opinion and you haven’t been bought out yet, but to be fair that’s how every reviewer starts then they get bought out lol. But good on you.

[@PreparedAirman]

Ehh, I have no need to get "bought out" KZbin is a hobby. My career takes care of the bills. Look at Nutnfancy 16 years later, and still has never taken money for a paid review.

[@captironsight]

I like the Nato strap for cold environments. The metal case gets cold on my bare wrist otherwise.

[@TheCdM1981]

If it’s running fast try to demagnetize it. That usually fixes the issue with most automatic watches.

[@garyoshiro9874]

Thank you, a straight forward Marathon GSAR watch review.

[@MLightstone]

I picked up a case from one of these, sans movement, and swapped in an nh36, white flieger dial and yeti hands. I only miss the tritium tubes. I've been using their Navigator watches for decades. Great company.

[@flipside21]

My TSAR is still ticking over a decade later, and the steel finish gas held up better than any luxury watch I've owned or seen - Rolex included. Bought it back when they were selling to .gov only, and it was a song and a dance. Even at today's prices, it's still a buy all day for me.

[@ragetobe]

It’s basically a G-Shock but a lot more money.

[@PreparedAirman]

Im not sure what you mean. Marathon and Rolex are no where near the same as a G-shock. Although you can all wear them on your wrist.

[@ragetobe]

@@PreparedAirman The Marathon TSAR is basically a G-Shock in a SS case, in fact G-Shock do the SS case but I think the special forces prefer the plastic case. Rolex should not be mentioned in the same breath as Marathon and G-Shock.

[@tarheelrealist8935]

I purchased a Luminox Series 8200 (similar in size to the Marathon) about fifteen years ago, still have it too, but hadn't worn it in about ten years...too heavy and have been wearing a Hamilton Khaki Field (Auto) watch ever since.

[@patrickmccarthy4089]

Great review, so thanks for your analysis. Own the Arctic GSAR ( and Navigator), agree on your take on the Marathon rubber straps. Would also mention the NDC Marine Nationale strap: rugged as NATOs but more comfortable, secure and Milspec. Note also Marathon's shoulderless spring bars -- great for drilled lugs. Thanks, PMc

[@allenwilson8913]

I have the quartz JSAR. It is awesome. Running a NATO strap but have the rubber one that I am going to put on. I like NATO straps but sweat so much they get nasty pretty quickly.

[@shawn40041]

I've killed every watch I've owned except the last one I bought. It's a Reactor Gryphon and I've yet to break it. Analog with a combo of superluminova and tritium for low light visibility. Absolute unit.

[@coffeeortea547]

9:37 Were you allowed to have a quartz analog watch like the TSAR or did it have to be mechanical in order to meet the compartmentalization requirements?

[@PreparedAirman]

A quartz watch is allowed. TSAR, LUMINOX ,Timex ect is all good. It needs to be free of send or receiving signals, GPS, wifi, Bluetooth, radio waves.

[@coffeeortea547]

@@PreparedAirman Ahhh that makes sense, thanks for answering so quickly

[@quintonrichards4805]

What’s the story with 120° telling N, E, S, & W?

[@macaltom6468]

What does this watch look like under night vision and how visible is it with night vision from various distances?

[@dissident_mantis7]

Your watch is likely magnatized if it is running +20 seconds a day. I would buy a cheap demagnatizer to fix the issue.

[@mikeyob4271]

Thank you for the review. Any thoughts on ataclete watches or gear ? Best regards.

[@geraldacevedo2003]

Look up Sangin instruments

[@cripplers8]

Really good review brother! Question, how’s that compare to the Luminox 3200 series watch? I’ve had this beast since 2008 and have worn it everyday since I got it. I have the rubber band model having to replace the band a few times over 16 years now.

[@underwaterlevelz1947]

Excellent review, I own Marathon's Steel Navigator but have always been curious about the GSAR. It looks like the GSAR comes in a much nicer box than the other watches sold by Marathon. Silly question, what kind of knife is that you used to open the package?

[@PreparedAirman]

It's a Spyderco Paramilitary 3 lightweight www.amazon.com/dp/B083ZLT5C1/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_apa_gl_i_RMJ4WCN0V1Y9YWB3W219?linkCode=ml2&tag=preparedairma-20

[@HawkinsLeather]

Looks like a Spyderco Para 3 with nylon handles.

[@novwin3169]

Funny… yes a “military” member uses a wrist watch differently then the mere civilian. Otherwise a good review tks

[@lakota_stu]

20secs fast for a $1,500 watch is really bad

[@PreparedAirman]

As I've used it more, I've conducted more tests at the moment it's 12s fast per day.

[@lakota_stu]

@@PreparedAirman that's better!

[@vincentwarte4435]

I'd say that's pretty unacceptable tbh. Even my Seiko SKX007 is "just" at +11s/24h.

[@PreparedAirman]

It's within spec for the movement. A Rolex submariner spec is 6 seconds per day, and that's a $10,000 watch. I'm OK with a $1000 mechanical watch being 12 seconds fast. It will slow over time anyway.

[@MJMImages]

@@PreparedAirmanRolex is 2 sec per day though most Tudors run 1 sec per day. Marathons specs say 12-30 sec per day. Buy a quartz if you want better accuracy.