Nice review mate, very informative and your certainly picking up on things other reviewers miss out on. I have the 41mm gsar automatic and it’s an absolute beast, they can sure take a beating. I will always have a marathon or two in the collection. Look forward to the next video 👍
Many thanks for your kind words Mark. I always try to wear the watches for a few weeks prior to review to hammer down anything that jumps out at me. And I'm hoping to get the editing and sound a bit better as I go along. Glad you enjoyed it. Keep an eye out for upcoming videos including one of the most expensive items I've ever had the pleasure of looking at. Thanks again
Water resistance, I am not a definite authority this, but I’ve taken my 30m marathon GPQ, F91, and many other 30m watches swimming and showers a thousand times last 5 years. Never an issue.
I own this watch along with an Arctic MSAR and two different GPQ watches, a black one with Tritium and date, and a sage green one with no date and Maraglo. My collection didn't start out this way but I recently sold watches that I don't wear much anymore/stopped bonding with. When the dust settled it was all marathons left, as well as a few Casio assorted G-Shocks and inexpensive pieces and a Raketa Copernicus I intend to use for more formal events. This watch is my favorite amongst all of them, followed closely by the MSAR. Its unique case design, legibility and awesome Tritium lume make it a stand out. It's much lighter than my MSAR too, even with that watch on a rubber strap. Great video. Keep it up. Not to nitpick, but the watch is called General Purpose Mechanical, not General Service Mechanical. And the 39mm case measurement includes the crown. Measuring without the crown most other sources say this is 36mm. I find it to wear that way on my wrist too.
Many thanks Paolo. Glad you enjoy this model too. It's a favourite if mine, though I've another field watch coming up next that's also proved very competent. Quite different but also a great watch.
I have been looking at Marathon for quite some time, however, they were usually out of my price range. As an Army vet, Marathon has a U.S. Army version of this watch on their site for $315. A sapphire crystal, eta2801, tritium and compelling design, it was a no brainer bang for buck watch considering this watch usually exceeds $700. The leather NATO included is sublime.
I bought the single pass through marathon vulcanized rubber 18mm for my GPQ stainless. It fits but a little snug (just 1mm each side), and i think does alot to improve rhe super skinny look of the original 16mm strap.
Hello and thanks for sharing. I've heard of people having trouble with the strap loop when wearing. Did you consider going for the DEFSTAN strap instead of this one? A wrist take would be nice. Cheers
As former military and long time survival instructor nothing beats a Casio G Shock. I have a digital multiband solar one. Many people just think the 3 bar is only about water resistance but it's actually pressure. Our surrounding is 1 bar so 3 atm is only 2 bar extra. When you jump out of a helicopter or from a cliff into the water the impact pressure can exceed this. So I don't understand why Mil Spec in the US is only 3 bar. I agree that having US government on your watch can get you in danger in some places. I do have the Marathon MSAR and I also have a Hamilton Field Khaki. The Field Khaki is my dress watch. The Marathon MSAR obviously a diver. Where I love these military style hand wind (or automatic) watches to me they are all dress watches. None of them meet MY specs as a watch for a survival instructor. So considering the price, the 3 atm pressure, the 16 mm lug it's a pretty watch but not for me. If it was half the price I would consider.
Got to agree love the look of the watch a bit pricey for what it is, the shape of the case is a bit strange from the side which i could accept. I own a 34mm marathon field watch with the 16mm strap which is tiny but extremely comfortable but to put a 16 instead of an 18mm strap on this watch is unacceptable to me. I own a few Hamilton field watches and i can safely say that every watch ive purchased has a slight quality control issue which is disappointing from Hamilton. Great review 👍
I have become a field watch junkie i have a couple of Hamilton khaki field no problems as of yet two 34mm marathon gp i just bought at auction the one you have for a fraction of the price new,and a navigator oh plus a 1969 Benrus i have othwr higher price watches, but i loves me some field watch thanks
That obnoxiously small wrist strap, while "unique," is the main turn off for me. My collection has reached the point where if it not 18mm, 20mm, or 22mm then I have no interest in a watch. The only reason I have 18mm watch straps is because of my beloved Marathon MSAR. I also have the Navigator, and I would love to add a Marathon field watch to the collection but not at a 16mm lug width.
I've been in the military for 20 years... never seen anyone with a Marathon watch. Still, nice watches.
Nice review mate, very informative and your certainly picking up on things other reviewers miss out on. I have the 41mm gsar automatic and it’s an absolute beast, they can sure take a beating. I will always have a marathon or two in the collection. Look forward to the next video 👍
Many thanks for your kind words Mark. I always try to wear the watches for a few weeks prior to review to hammer down anything that jumps out at me. And I'm hoping to get the editing and sound a bit better as I go along.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Keep an eye out for upcoming videos including one of the most expensive items I've ever had the pleasure of looking at.
Thanks again
Water resistance, I am not a definite authority this, but I’ve taken my 30m marathon GPQ, F91, and many other 30m watches swimming and showers a thousand times last 5 years. Never an issue.
I own this watch along with an Arctic MSAR and two different GPQ watches, a black one with Tritium and date, and a sage green one with no date and Maraglo. My collection didn't start out this way but I recently sold watches that I don't wear much anymore/stopped bonding with. When the dust settled it was all marathons left, as well as a few Casio assorted G-Shocks and inexpensive pieces and a Raketa Copernicus I intend to use for more formal events.
This watch is my favorite amongst all of them, followed closely by the MSAR. Its unique case design, legibility and awesome Tritium lume make it a stand out. It's much lighter than my MSAR too, even with that watch on a rubber strap.
Great video. Keep it up. Not to nitpick, but the watch is called General Purpose Mechanical, not General Service Mechanical. And the 39mm case measurement includes the crown. Measuring without the crown most other sources say this is 36mm. I find it to wear that way on my wrist too.
Many thanks Paolo. Glad you enjoy this model too. It's a favourite if mine, though I've another field watch coming up next that's also proved very competent. Quite different but also a great watch.
Fantastic Review, held on to every word!
I have been looking at Marathon for quite some time, however, they were usually out of my price range. As an Army vet, Marathon has a U.S. Army version of this watch on their site for $315. A sapphire crystal, eta2801, tritium and compelling design, it was a no brainer bang for buck watch considering this watch usually exceeds $700. The leather NATO included is sublime.
Great review, very informative.
Many thanks Korsal!
I bought the single pass through marathon vulcanized rubber 18mm for my GPQ stainless. It fits but a little snug (just 1mm each side), and i think does alot to improve rhe super skinny look of the original 16mm strap.
Hello and thanks for sharing.
I've heard of people having trouble with the strap loop when wearing. Did you consider going for the DEFSTAN strap instead of this one?
A wrist take would be nice.
Cheers
As former military and long time survival instructor nothing beats a Casio G Shock. I have a digital multiband solar one.
Many people just think the 3 bar is only about water resistance but it's actually pressure. Our surrounding is 1 bar so 3 atm is only 2 bar extra. When you jump out of a helicopter or from a cliff into the water the impact pressure can exceed this. So I don't understand why Mil Spec in the US is only 3 bar. I agree that having US government on your watch can get you in danger in some places.
I do have the Marathon MSAR and I also have a Hamilton Field Khaki.
The Field Khaki is my dress watch. The Marathon MSAR obviously a diver. Where I love these military style hand wind (or automatic) watches to me they are all dress watches. None of them meet MY specs as a watch for a survival instructor.
So considering the price, the 3 atm pressure, the 16 mm lug it's a pretty watch but not for me. If it was half the price I would consider.
I ve got mine 5 days ago.I like it
How is it holding up?
Got to agree love the look of the watch a bit pricey for what it is, the shape of the case is a bit strange from the side which i could accept.
I own a 34mm marathon field watch with the 16mm strap which is tiny but extremely comfortable but to put a 16 instead of an 18mm strap on this watch is unacceptable to me.
I own a few Hamilton field watches and i can safely say that every watch ive purchased has a slight quality control issue which is disappointing from Hamilton.
Great review 👍
I have become a field watch junkie i have a couple of Hamilton khaki field no problems as of yet two 34mm marathon gp i just bought at auction the one you have for a fraction of the price new,and a navigator oh plus a 1969 Benrus i have othwr higher price watches, but i loves me some field watch thanks
Mate, put the watch on. Lyme shot maybe???
That obnoxiously small wrist strap, while "unique," is the main turn off for me. My collection has reached the point where if it not 18mm, 20mm, or 22mm then I have no interest in a watch. The only reason I have 18mm watch straps is because of my beloved Marathon MSAR. I also have the Navigator, and I would love to add a Marathon field watch to the collection but not at a 16mm lug width.
Agree on stupid unboxing. I prefer this style of watch in quartz and acrylic, CWC.
Ha. Many thanks. Many reasons it's just cheap clickbait.
Great choice with cwc.
20 minutes and did not put on your wrist ..