Retired pro pilot of 50+ years, I was a USMC Huey/SAR pilot for 13 years active duty. I've owned a 41mm GSAR Automatic for many years. A true tool watch as it's the government issued military watch for the USA, Canada and Israel. ISO certified dive watch, it has NSN number and military designations on the case back. While I have a Submariner, this is the watch I actually take when diving. I live next to MCB Camp Pendleton and occasionally these will come up for sale as surplus items. I know a fellow watch geek that picked up a 41mm GSAR like mine for $45! 😮
I own a GSAR and decided to listen to your take on this amazing watch. Like you, I find the GSAR beautiful. Not sure you were aware at the time of posting this video: there is a quartz option. My watch is an automatic movement. My friends with quartz pieces love them.
Why do you boomers always spout off your resumé before commenting or giving reviews. If it's good , it's good. If not, state so. Your military history has no bearing on whether this watch is good unless it was actually used in combat or while diving. Stop begging for a "thank you for your service" everywhere you turn.
I think its awesome that Teddy B stealth-loaned those watches to you. And I'm glad you said something, I wish him success; plus this benefits everyone, viewers included.
“Yes!” I was screaming at my phone. I agree - it makes sense for tool watches to be quartz. The “pearl clutching” is oh so prevalent in this hobby, but practically speaking, a quartz diver makes a lot of sense. Especially with the end of life indicator in the ETA quartz that these marathon’s have.
@@Reisito305 Im no expert, but in general, a quartz movement is more shock resistant, magnetic resistant, and accurate than a mechanical movement. Regarding the end of life indicator, People have said that a quartz watch could die when you need it (like when you’re in the field or on a dive) but with an end of life indicator, it alerts you to when the battery needs to be changed, and usually gives a couple months notice before it dies. Which would be plenty of notice to get a new battery installed before a dive trip
I received the Marathon MSAR (36mm) as partial payment for a photoshoot I did for them, and the watch is just lovely. It's nice to have a little tank to take anywhere
What a joy to follow your content. Simple but very informative, light in a way that my head doesn’t hurt with screams or an avalanche of information and fun to watch/listen! Keep on man, just keep on! Cheers!
Been seeing a lot of press about this watch lately. Thanks for covering it. I once said that this watch was a DoD designed watch that most guys (in the Navy, at least) would never wear because we're always with our G-Shocks.... 3 hours after saying that I ran into a pilot and his buddy onbase Norfolk, VA sporting GSARs. Serves me right I guess.
A really great review on these watches!! I was actually lucky enough to win an Arctic at a competition at a recent show that Marathon attended in the UK. It's a fantastic piece!
I have owned 6 Marathons, including all GSAR variants. The black dial GSAR 41mm is my favorite watch of all time and the staple of my collection. I can also attest to Marathon’s customer service department as they have generously taken care of me with any service I’ve needed. I’m a Firefighter/Medic and the watch fits that role greatly. Great video as always!
A g shock will not work in below freezing temperatures. The quartz won’t vibrate and the electronics won’t work nor will the lcd display. But the automatic movement will work. This is why they designed this one with an automatic movement
Looked at the anthracite when considering an all black watch, but am very happy with the Sinn U50 SB that ended up as the new addition and it is keeping the Seamaster 300 and Tudor Pelagos 42 in my watch box. Great content as always
I can’t wait to get my hands on one of these. I am personally going to buy the Arctic quartz model with the bracelet. I just love the look and design of these!
Your humour and video aesthetics are so calming. I would watch these reviews even if I wasn't obsessed with watches....or as you would say, if I was "normal"
Nice to see you and Teddy with a loaner thing going on...more watches for us to see...Also I forgot how much a wanted that Navigator you have. Looks SO good. Might have a look at that again. Cheers Evan!
This is just a fantastic watch. I take the 41 mm Arctic every summer for the three months we are on the boat and they're just perfect for that kind of activity. You can bang them around and don't have to worry. Great review!
I've had my black dial 41 for 2 years now and have the black and green rubber straps as well as the amazing bracelet. The rubber straps are infused with vanilla and I find myself sniffing the strap a few times a day like Mary Katherine Gallagher. The 41 wears more like a 39 because of its height. The finishing on the case and bracelet is exquisite. The knurling on the crown is the coolest feature of this watch and you won't see or feel a crown like this on any other watch, it just grabs your fingers. Great review!
@@trumptookthevaccine1679 uh ok...ask if this isnt the perfect review for a tool watch. Mountain climbers, alpinists, hunters, kayakers, divers, antarctic crews, thats who i want to hear reviews from
I prefer to think of Canada as America’s brain. 😜 but we will accept hat. (Speaking on behalf of all of Canada!) hahaha. You know! I loved this review! This was the review I needed in my life! I know so little about marathon and I really should know more. She’s a chunky boy! But really handsome, useful watch. 😱💕 gorgeous review, as always!
@@YoureTerrificShe didn’t actually imply or say that it has one at all, lol, but as a Canadian I’m just glad we’re neighbours who get along, and well; a whole lot of countries don’t. Heck, we even welcome your F-22s in to shoot down UFOs.
This review is really spot on and very fair. I have the 41 on a rubber strap and if anything it’s more like a 39. Because of the very thick bezel the dial is actually quite small, making it a little crowded. But it’s a true ‘tool’ watch that I don’t mind wearing on my bike, hiking in the woods with my kids, and especially changing the channel on the tv at home. Rugged and inelegant and unashamed to be that way. And I actually really like the tritium.
@@AlexG-ey7md I’ve got it with the black rubber it came with. Really comfortable and easy to wear. Depending on your weekend lifestyle it’s an excellent watch. Don’t expect it to be hiding under any shirt cuffs though!
I own a 36mm MSAR since 2015, and it has been my go to watch for everything serious. My seamaster and submariner can handle water, shock and magnetism just fine, but I never trust them enough for work. The original rubber strap was destroyed by salt water so I swapped it out for a nato strap that they should have in the first place. I do notice the tritium tubes aren't as bright as they used to be, but they are still very legible in pitch black environment.
Good to see you didn't say no to the growing Baldassarre watch conglomerate. I guess he made you an offer you could not refuse. [Insert Italian accent]
You’re so good I want to like this twice. But that would unlike it. 😂 My father gave me his old Rolex and bought one of these instead. He’s very much the intended audience and he loves it. Anyway, you rock! (7” wrists ftw! Lol)
I have Timex Indiglo watches from the early 2000's that cost a fraction of the price and still function perfectly today. Seems like an automatic watch that will need servicing and lume replacement in twenty years isn't worth very much in comparison.
I have to agree about quartz probably being the best movement option for a tool watch. Oh though I have some 2824, sw200s, and nh35/36 movement watches that I've put through hell and served, quartz is more economical and more sensible for bashing around.
I feel like you should check out Momentum, they are another utilitarian style Canadian micro-brand, but relatively cheaper. The "Black-Ion" M50 diving watch I have from them definitely has a similar vibe and they also advertise it based on it's use with North American emergency response teams. It's a quartz though, rated for 500meters.
Not mechanical, but Casio 5610 is my favorite tool watch. In the rare event it breaks you can pick up a new one for a C note. That's a watch you can beat up and not feel guilty.
Love tritium markers on everything everyday stuff. Wish a watch company would combine tritium and Superluminova (even if just on the hands and the 12 o clock pip) though.
Super beefy. I owned it and sold it to some lucky guy in Tennessee. I found the dial small for the massive size of the case. The dial also feels cluttered, with the date at 4:30. Also, the clasp is pressed rather than milled.
i think a new category of watch needs to be introduced. or maybe sub-category. the adventure watch. i have used my 41mm GSAR for camping, hiking, canoeing, fishing... all year round. securely water resistant so being swept down class 3 rapids after capsizing isn't a problem for this watch. tritium for legibility all night long. and for when camping in january when it gets dark out at 5pm. rotating bezel to time segments on the trail or on the water. tough as frickin nails!
They look available to me: www.marathonwatch.com/products/arctic-edition-medium-divers-automatic-msar-auto-with-stainless-steel-bracelet-36mm?variant=40080969891882 teddybaldassarre.com/products/arctic-edition-medium-divers-automatic-msar-auto-no-government-markings-36mm?variant=32884952694877
@@YoureTerrific owned one for years and played with some raw bezels at my watchmaker who used to do warranty service for Marathon. They are like a hard plastic.
Annnddd now that I say that I see some references online to the bezel insert being aluminum. They always felt like plastic to me but who knows. One thing I will say is over time the paint infill on the minute hashes tends to fall out. I've had like 4 or 5 come out of mine. I just took a very fine paintbrush and filled them in again with some house paint. Good enough.
Why using diving gloves to operate the Basel? 7:20 I think you get funny looks if you're putting on diving gloves to measure your boiling time of your eggs. 😛
