World Premiere of the Marathon Steel Navigator Wristwatch 

You forgot to say that this movement is accurate to about 10 seconds PER YEAR. That is incredible. Also - pretty sure they are gonna come out with a No Date version of this. I think this is the perfect everyday watch. I already own a JSAR and a GSAR. This is definitely my next Marathon purchase.

Wow! Been waiting for this release for about a decade! I was issued the original in 1987 at Mather AFB for advanced navigation training with the USN. Sadly a few years later an unknown ship mate relieved me of it! I began looking for vintage models about 20 years ago but nice ones were always too pricey. Last time I checked nice 1986 models without tritium were about the price of these new ones! I finally purchased the close-out of the plastic crystal model on sale for $175 for myself and two sons, one of which is now a navigator on C130s with USCG. He wears it while serving and all his squadron mates want one so the unit was looking into purchasing them for all aircrew. I have the means to purchase the stainless model but, yes, ouch it is double the price of my most expensive watche. A SARB35!

Been waiting for this for a couple of years. Love my navigator. This is a nice upgrade. Purchased!

Saw this in my email today! I couldn't wait to see the review!

So cool! I love Marathon. They made really underrated stuff.

People complaining about the price of $864 cdn on Marathon's website for a watch that is + or - 10 seconds a year with screw down crown, sapphire crystal, GMT bezel, case hardening to 900 vickers and only 11mm thick with Tritium gas tubes is surprising to say the least. The next closest watch in price with the same accuracy level would be the Longines VHP which is $1600 cdn on their website. The Citizen Chronomaster and Grand Seiko quartz that are obviously more premium start at $2500 - $3000 cdn, The Breitling Endurance Pro is a Chronograph but has the same accuracy and starts at $4250 cdn. If you are looking at accuracy you simply cannot compare this to a normal quartz watch with its + or - 15 seconds per month. Plus this watch has case hardening that while not quite up to Sinn's Tegimenting standards still provides a lot more scratch resistance than standard stainless steel. IMHO this is an amazing daily driver at a very reasonable price that I will definitely be purchasing in the very near future.

looks great. would love a jumping hour feature.

I love the watch and own several Marathon watches, but boy did they screw up on pricing this watch in my opinion. It was an instant buy for me until I saw the price on their website this morning.

Great watch! 🇨🇦

Love the dual Time bezel !!

You're most definitely correct about the box, I was hoping for something a little cooler than a pretty basic tin. Even Luminox packages their watches in that neat little military case with their logo on it. Nevertheless, this was the watch I wanted when it was unveiled, recently bought it and put a black leather Marathon strap on it. Its gorgeous.

Thanks for the review Mark. Just a note on NSNs in my experience as a Supply Officer in the CAF it stands for Nato Stock Number.

Good looking watch - I like 👍👍

Real Marathon fanboy right here. I've the blue 💙 J Crew goes great with jeans. The USMC desert 🏜️ tan & the black 🖤 US Gov. Just ordered this on preorder as a metal with screw down crown is the ultimate Nav. So glad this came out as was looking at the vintage versions but they're asking £1500... So light & comfortable to wear, plus I've had a ton of interest & compliments, especially for the USMC desert tan...

It is a snazzy watch! Like it more than my composite Marathon, though I love that one as well. We appreciate you discounting an expensive watch as low as you can. 😊🐶🐕

damn this is a pretty watch...so awesome!

I’m so excited!! I’m super happy they put normal spring bars instead of the fixed bars so we can put other straps. Can’t wait to get my hands on this and put a leather strap on it!

Mark, please make something like this under the Islander brand: a Benrus type of thing; a diver with a field dial (preferable without the cluttered 24 hour track)

Good review. I like the watch.

I've owned the original 86 Navigator, the 91, and just purchased this. $800 is fine to me. I made a whole article as to why Marathon designed the watch the way they did. There's a reason why they chose no auto movement, added a date complication, etc.

Best release of the year. It's awesome

I really dig this watch. It ain't cheap but what a package - beautiful case, great dimensions, excellent finish, tritium tubes. Might be an easier sell at this price though if it was an automatic.

I feel like this watch is oriented toward current customers of Marathon more than it is new ones, both government and civilian. Price is steep on paper, and I think it's getting quite close to the quartz gsar, which might make it difficult to rationalize. I do think it has a niche. All Marathon watches fit into pretty specific niches, and there will definitely be a group of people who scoop this thing up immediately, regardless of the price. Personally, I think I'll be waiting until my fibershell navigator breaks, which will be a while because I tend to toss the gsar on when things start getting dangerous to watches. Sometimes it can be difficult to know how to respond to a company so imbeded in government contract to not really need a healthy civilian market response to a new-ish offering. For all we know, they've had a contract or two fall through because the navigator wasn't steel, and they decided to just make it again.

I love it, but the pricing is way off. If you have any "pull" with Marathon, get 'em to drop this by at least $150...and then get 'em to offer an automatic version in this same case at this price, which I would probably pick up on the day it is announced! 🙂

I love the steel and updated water resistance. But my goodness, that price is insane. Marathon missed the mark on this.

Very nice looking. I'm getting ahem, older, and I'm looking at lighter weight watches these days. But it's a beauty.

Parkerizing is a method of finishing iron/steel by dipping it in an acid phosphorus solution. It has anti corrosion properties and is cheaper and more durable than traditional gun blueing.

your logo on the wall is pointing the wrong direction... do I win a prize?? Love the vids Marc. Also loved the instragram patio shots with the logo!! great choice.

Love this watch, but not the price. In Canada we’re I live, it’s over a grand with tax. Damn currency of ours. For a quartz it’s a real stretch. Great review by the way.

I love the islander watches especially the dive watches but I would like to see a dive watch that is exactly the same as the isl-20 without the date and keep the 38 mm case that would be a really nice looking watch. I love a simple dive watch.

Total beauty! But I'll have to stick with my plastic one with that price jump....

Seeing the price tag, i feel pretty content with my normal version

LOVE THE CONTENT!!

So cool

I think it looks fantastic. But MSRP of $800? Nope…. It’s too bad because I’ve been waiting for this forever.

One could opt for the $800 nylon strap option on their website. Then I saw just yesterday the price of their 20mm leather nato straps are $25 when they used to be $50 or $60. So $825 with the leather nato and basic nylon. The leather does allow folding back the strap into the top keeper wich is more secure in my opinion.

Bit pricey no?

Bout time!!!! sorry the only plastic watch that I might ever buy would be a G-shock or a Swatch and even that is pushing it. Wish the would make a one with a dive bezel, though. Whoa almost $800 and only 100m…yeah guess I will not be buying a Marathon anytime soon

I have an automatic GSAR and love it. This, though? Expensive for a quartz, especially when the second hand doesn't align.

You should make one like this with ameriquartz movement 😉

Screwdown crown and 100 meter depth rating are strong points, but to what extent do the brushed steel and removable springbars increase the military relevance of this watch versus plastic and fixed springbars ?

I’ll stick with my 2005 TSAR. I figure if it ain’t broken why fix it?! Nevertheless, nice review Mark. Thanks

Cool. Looks good. Date is so small, barely notice it.

As other have said, the price is what's going to keep a lot of people away. Great looking watch, though. I was all about it up until the $800 ($747) part. 😬

Hiw does the larger part of of caseback open? Does not look like it is screwed, at least gaps for an opening tool are missing.

Yay Canada..

Looks like a homage of the Benrus Type II mil-spec watch issued during the end of the vietnam conflict to the Army and Navy UDT.

I haven’t read through all the comments but you didn’t mention the movement was HAQ.

Been waiting for this one but bought a tsar last month. So the Navi is out

Great field type watch and I love the 12 hour bezel. Why the hash marks between 12 and 4?

Waiting the no date version

Neat. Pass from me. The date window placement looks like an afterthought

Do you think they are going to do a general purpose mechanical in this format? With the screw down crown?

Did you know your "in the dark footage" doesn't show the watch markers?? :)

Marathon location is about a 40 min drive for me. Many yrs ago when I asked about purchasing one of these watches the Co told me I had to be in the Service or be a Cop. They told me to get a Police friend to order it. I don’t know if they sell to the public today, they probably do if they want to sell watches and stay in business.

While we're on Marathon and their prices, you should consider making an aftermarket bracelet for the GSAR/TSAR series. I paid a lot for a bracelet for my TSAR and the clasp is atrocious. I think an aftermarket all brushed bracelet with a clasp that could be swapped for other types would be successful, the only option now is their bracelet or a straight end link aftermarket bracelet.

WHat a stunner. AInt cheap but I'll prolly still get it. LOL

Really like it, but that price tag....Do these Marathons ever go on sale a few times a year?

Also Mark (or anyone in the comments) what is the difference between a dual time and GMT bezel? Is one more practical from a military standpoint?

My old navigator had misalignment with the running second hands when it's ticking around the dial. Marathon said it's normal. -.- Seems like it's still an issue on the current ones based on this video?

Love the watch and nice strap but those keepers? the way the strap folds back through missing the first looks ridiculous!

I've seen this case shape before with MK II and Benrus brands I wonder who made this case shape first?

It can’t be actual parkerizing - you can’t parkerize stainless steel. It’s why parkerizing tanks are made out of the stuff.

I see people have mixed feeling about the price. The Price is fair if you buy it from Marc and located in US. From Marathon directly it's 250$ more. For us overseas and the additional 25% import taxes i agree it's poor value for money.

World. Premiere. Of. The. Marathon steel. Navigator. Wrist watch

An Islander with this dial (date or no date), movement NH38 or Miyota 9015, good lume, 200M, and the same finish and plain case back would sell well I think. This one is nice but this price for a quartz watch seems a little stiff.

The second hand doesn't hit the indicator?

Hey Mark, I have a fantastic gift for you, my Like and Subscribe. Another great option from Marathon but seems a bit overpriced The easy access battery compartment is a nice trick thag I wish more makers used

Love these Marathon quartz models! Are any militaries ordering mechanical watches these days? I've read that most of Marathon's business is with governments but could not square that with all their mechanical offerings.

I've got multiple Marathon watches, including the TSAR , MSAR, etc. and like this Navigator too; but the pricing is way off for this one.

Doesn’t look like seconds hand hits the markers

Does anyone know any affordable tritium watches? 40mm diameter or less. I have seen some 45mm ones but it's way too big for me. Thank you. :)

Can you measure the diameter of the crystal and the diameter of the bezel?

Case is interesting, but others... date window is far from perfect to say politely, bezel with hours i don't like , strap don't like, price- we are so far apart :)

What is the water resistance?

What the heck!?? Did a 62MAS have a love child with a Slim Turtle?

You've probably heard of Parkerizing by its generic name, phosphate conversion coating or phosphating.

Wish they'd left the date off

Can someone explain why NATO straps are so appealing? To me they not only bulk up the height but the tucked in overhang of the strap looks ridiculous and would likely be forever fouling. Give me a two piece any day.

Everyone that is complaining about price, it's almost funny. Story time.. The typical comment on price goes like this "They screwed up with the price and you can get X,Y or Z watch for about half the price". The truth is.. there is nothing else on the market like this one (or the fibershell one). For example.. I was close to buying the "re-release" of the Benrus Type I. I see they still have about 16 units left on the 2020 run from 1000. At $1700, (again everyone complained at that price) I thought it was a great deal. People said "Oh, but you can get almost the identical watch (the MK.II) for half the cost. So, I looked into it. I contacted MK.II and asked about availability. They basically said "good luck" and that it goes and comes. Then, I learned that the dimensions of that watch is larger vs. the Bernus, so much so that it looks silly large! Would never look right on my wrist. So, right there that was out the window (and not at all "the same watch"). To get an original Type I, (if you're lucky to find one in good condition) you're looking at 8 to 10 grand. So, I was all in on the new Type I. Then, I saw two reports that the lume on the bezel was not done correctly. There was nothing to "seat" the lume on it. It was just painted on, and it has already come off on two occasions. This was why I never bought it. That and the fact it is limited. When I reached out to them to ask about future part support, I got no response and that alone was enough of a response to me. "Stay away!". I have enjoyed my fibershell Navigator for the past year. THIS is a watch that I would argue is overpriced at $450 MSRP. lol. Especially when the bezel action is not great at all and can go very loose or tight depending on the weather and temperature (but, my point again is that there is just nothing like it.. so, Marathon has that going for them). So, now we have a whole new steel version, with many upgrades.. and there NOTHING else on the market that is just like it. (not to mention people have wanted this since the late 90's) It comes down to either you want something special, or you want to go cheaper for something that may not be as nice (or not the same at all). Like for example, a Hamilton Field.. I have seen them in person and the reflections in that crystal are SO BAD that I could never own one. Not to mention it's a very basic watch on all other levels and there are many companies who make something comparable. Think about it this way.. You have the great company and support, you have the history, you have great build quality and feel, you have the tritium, you have now a new ETA F06.412 which is accurate to 10sec A YEAR (practically atomic to me), you have 7 years of battery life. So, in the end you get what you pay for. If there were other companies making the same design, the same specs for less.. than this would be totally different. But you don't. So, is it worth it?? To some it is, to others it's not. That's the bottom line. If you look at it and don't connect with it, than its not worth it, even at half the price. But, if you look at it as I have described and understand why its special and that is meaningful to you.. then the price is much further down on the list of things to consider.

Nice watch! How accurate is this movement? (Plus the usual complaints about metal keepers. Why not nylon?)

Sold out😢

Hmm. I'll stick with my Dagaz Cavs.

Dont understand the many comments like "too expensive for quartz". Go find a mechanical movement that can deliver +/- 10 seconds per year accuracy and tell me what it costs.

Lovely watch but bit pricey marathon.

Mark do you know if there is a spec/ DOD/ government requirement reason Marathon hasn't gone to a mecha-quartz? Do the Swiss make a mecha-quartz?

Love Marathon, but it's hard to justify 700-800 for this quartz movement. That being said, I'd definitely wear it, just way overpriced so I never will.

nice timepiece but too expensive.... no wonder military budgets are blown..

The asymmetric case looks just too weird.

YOU HAVE WON a free small cardboard shipping box! Free with every purchase!

Simple quartz, second hand doesn't hit the markers, blasted/Parkerized case that won't match aftermarket bracelets, simple nato strap, no AR,.......$800. Amazing rip-off even at any reasonable sale price. There are hundreds of other tritium watches with matching specs that are under $500.

Why is this watch over $800???

To be honest, not feeling that asemetric case

870 $ for a quartz watch just because it has tritium lume, with is useless I think. In the quartz world they are casio G-shock or not G-shock and if the size what not to big a bulova lunar pilot that I would recommand. I can understand why people are interested by this watch. If you love the casing a king turtle, slim turtle or even a Willard is far better.

The second hand looks misaligned.

$750....I'll pass

$830 or $737, for a quartz watch.. Doooooo

£860-£891 in the United Kingdom. Bye bye ain’t happening.

SEVEN HUNDRED plus bucks for THAT? To each their own but that is some I-just-suffered-a-concussion level pricing.

Doesn’t seem too expensive from my perspective. The majority of the tech is in the case and dial, I expect - mechanical movements are not that much more than these high-end quartz movements when buying in bulk, so the statement that this is “expensive for a quartz” is silly