Review: Marathon Arctic Edition Large Diver's Automatic (GSAR)

I don't even know where to begin to describe this watch, let alone to review. Let me start by saying that I have worn the sh*t out of this watch last summer whilst sailing in France and the UK. This is a watch for action! Of course, you have your G-shocks, but they are generally fugly, so who wants to wear those!? No, this is a function first, but definitely very nice form second.

I am reviewing the 41mm version of this watch, but there is also a 36mm and a 46mm one. They have the same models also in quartz and have two dial colours, the original black one and now also this white one, called the 'Arctic Edition' (not limited). The watch is known as the 'Arctic Government Search and Rescue (Arctic GSAR), indicating that these watches are made for military and other serious government purposes. Owned by the same family since 1941, Marathon Watches is a fascinating independent German/Canadian brand that still stands strong as an excellent tool watch manufacturer.

The movement is a Sellita SW200 with an Incabloc Shock Absorber, although on the European website they talk about a 'Self-winding automatic 26 Jewel Marathon M2 Movement'. Hard to tell without popping the hood and me is not doing that... The big cone shaped screw down crown with guards gives excellent grip (say that 10 times fast..), and the rest of the specs are all in line with toughness: 30 ATM, unidirectional 120 click bezel, brushed case all around (with drilled lugs) and a very legible dial with Arabic numerals in two scales; a bigger 1-12 one and inside a smaller 13-24 one. It is a bit of a hamburger: 14mm thick. Yes, no dress shirt baby...

A quote from their site:
"Marathon Search and Rescue (SAR) watches were developed to Canadian Government requirements for use in SAR operations. Built to withstand extreme conditions and match the capabilities of the user. First introduced in the early 1990s, they are still in active use today. Overbuilt bezels for manipulation with gloved hands; low-light illumination for use in night missions; screw-in crown and O-ring system for 30ATM water-resistance; high-torque pinions connecting movement to hands; IncablocTM shock absorbers on all automatic movements."

The best part of the dial design is the luminescence: on the indices and hands are little tubes filled with Tritium gas. The Tritium glows for at least 25 years (hence the radioactive symbol on the dial) and their own MaraGlo paint (visible on the 12 o clock triangle on the bezel) takes care for 8 hours of glow, according to Marathon. When I put this on my night stand I have a little lantern, this thing puts out serious light!

(Photo © Marathon Watches)

I wore this on the very comfortable rubber strap, and although it's a heavy watch, it did not feel out of balance. The bracelet is also very good. Double screwed floating solid links and micro adjustments makes sure that you can wear it when you are jumping from your motorbike on that speeding train.

What else is there? Oh yes, you can order different options for the dial and buckle for the bracelet. You can select from different military branches or the Canadian maple leaf. They also have a very nice range of pilots, field and officers watches, so check them out!