Marathon Watches

Marathon Watches

Marathon doesn’t do flex. They do function.

This is one of the few brands still making watches to actual military spec, not just “inspired by.” If you want a timepiece that’s been issued to soldiers,

search and rescue teams, or government agencies — and survived it? Marathon is your brand.

A Little History

Founded in 1939 in Canada, Marathon Watch Company has been family-run for three generations. They started by supplying timing instruments to

Allied forces during WWII — and since the 1980s, they’ve been official suppliers to the U.S. and Canadian militaries.

Every Marathon field watch, dive watch, or chronograph has to meet strict mil-spec requirements, including NSN numbers, tritium gas tubes, and

ISO certifications. These aren’t fashion watches. They’re gear.

Manufactured in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, tested in North America, and designed for real use in the field.

What Collectors Love

Marathon makes bulletproof tool watches that do exactly what they say they will. No luxury pricing. No fluff.

Popular models:

  • GSAR (Government Search and Rescue) — a 41mm diver with tritium tubes, 300m WR, and a solid ETA 2824 or Sellita SW200 automatic.

  • TSAR — the quartz-powered SAR version, for guys who want grab-and-go reliability.

  • Navigator — a fiber-shell cased pilot watch used by U.S. military personnel, with 12/24-hour dial and high-contrast readability.

  • General Purpose Mechanical (GPM) — hand-wound field watches that look like they belong in a Vietnam-era footlocker — and are still being issued today.

Everything is ISO-rated, impact-tested, and tritium-illuminated — perfect for low-light, high-stress situations.

Why Marathon Watches Are Legit

Because they’re actually issued, not just marketed as “tactical.”

The specs are real. The watches are built for warzones, not wine bars. You’re getting sapphire crystals, knurled crowns, dive bezels with proper grip,

and dials made to be read at a glance, even in total darkness.

And unlike most brands with “heritage,” Marathon hasn’t changed the formula to chase trends. They still make watches the way they always have — for

people who rely on them.

What’s Out There Now

The current lineup is focused and field-tested:

  • Search and Rescue line (GSAR, TSAR, JSAR, MSAR): all with tritium tubes, screw-down crowns, and 200m+ WR

  • Navigator: quartz pilot watch, issued to U.S. forces, available in sterile or government-marked dials

  • General Purpose Mechanical: hand-wound field models, available in stainless or composite case, with fixed lugs and vintage proportions

You’ll also see collaborations (like J. Crew or HODINKEE variants), and occasional sterile-dial pieces for collectors who want the “issued look”

without the markings.

Pre-owned GSARs are especially hot — especially with full kits and known provenance.

Fed’s Take

Marathon doesn’t get enough credit.

I’ve handled plenty of SARs, Navigators, and even some older mechanical field watches — and every one of them felt honest. These are watches you

can wear hard, beat up, and trust. You won’t find bevel polishing or moonphase displays. But if you want a watch that’ll survive the apocalypse? This is it.

It’s not about shine. It’s about showing up.

Check Out Our Marathon Inventory

Delray Watch is always on the lookout for unique Marathon watches — especially GSAR, Navigator, and General Purpose Mechanical models.

If you have a Marathon watch you’re ready to sell or trade – reach out. We’re always buying.

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