Description

The Marathon GSAR 41 mm Diver’s Automatic (WW194006) is a military specification dive watch built to ISO 6425 standards with a tritium self-illumination dial. Designed for use by Search and Rescue (SAR) divers, and issued to the United States Military branches including the Marine Corps, the Marathon GSAR Diver’s Automatic is a watch built to withstand the most extreme of conditions. The Diver’s Automatic is also known as the Government Search and Rescue (GSAR) and is available with or without US Government dial or in a special United States Marine Corp (USMC) edition which features a special dial and engraving on the side of the watch. Introduced in 2006, it is one of the most popular Marathon watches on the market.

The Marathon GSAR 41 mm Diver’s watch is water-resistant down to 30 ATM – 300 meters (1000 feet) underwater. Built from 316L surgical grade stainless steel, the watch is a high quality, purpose-built watch that will reliably accompany you on any adventure. It uses a scratch-resistant, sapphire glass crystal to ensure that the dial can be read even under direct sunlight, or deep underwater.

Marathon GSAR 41 mm similar to original SAR

This is similar to the original SAR except the dial utilizes the revolutionary tritium glass vial illumination system. The movement is a Swiss made 25 jewel ETA 2824-A2, which guarantees you a reliable and accurate timekeeping experience. The crystal is sapphire – 2.8mm thick x 30.50mm diameter. The case is cut from solid 316L stainless steel and is approximately 46.0mm in diameter. The unidirectional bezel diameter is 41.10mm and case height is 13.85mm.

The steel back has full military markings engraved on the case back, including Nato Stock Number 6645-21-558-0133. The screw-down crown has deep knurling. The total weight of the watch head is 93.1 grams.   This model is available with a black Swiss-made 2-piece 20mm military natural rubber strap or 3-piece strap system.. This newest version of the SAR has been improved over previous versions: it features the aforementioned natural rubber strap, a 26 jewel Swiss Made, Marathon M2 automatic movement made by Sellita engraved with Marathon Watch Co. and an improved 120 click uni-directional rotating bezel.

Marathon GSAR: Swiss made with Tritium illumination

The Marathon GSAR 41mm Diver’s Automatic is made in La Chaux de Fonds Switzerland to guarantee the highest level of quality and accuracy in manufacturing.

The Diver’s Automatic uses self-contained Tritium gas tubes to ensure constant visibility in low light situations. A gas tube is placed on each hour marker and hands and uses MaraGlo for the 12-hour bezel marker. Tritium tubes are self-illuminating gas tubes that contain an isotope of hydrogen, meaning they will not dull down in brightness like normal photo-luminescent paint which requires an external light source to create a glow.

Check out the photos of this watch next to a Rolex Submariner for size comparison.

FEATURES of Marathon GSAR

MIL-SPEC: Manufactured in accordance with US Government Specification. Issued and worn by troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

TRITIUM GAS TUBES: Self-illuminated 24/7 tritium gas tubes for up to 25 years.

SEARCH & RESCUE: Designed for Search And Rescue missions.

SWISS MADE: Proudly handmade in La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland since 1939.

Automatic movement (Self-winding): The movement that powers the watch is a Swiss-made 26 jewel Marathon M2 movement which is based on a modified Sellita SW200, which guarantees you a reliable and accurate timekeeping experience.  The watch is a higher quality, specially adjusted version of one of Switzerland’s best automatic movements.  It is the choice used by many high-end makers including Sinn,  Stowa, Longines, Eterna, Oris, Tissot, etc.  The 2824, the best known of the family of movements from Eta, is nearly 5mm thick and 25.6mm in diameter. Clearly, it’s self-winding, with that oscillating weight spinning up a 38-hour power reserve. The balance runs at 28,800 bph (4Hz) and the movement hacks. It has 25-jeweled bearings. The regulator is ETA’s own Etachron system.  Interestingly, watchmakers  I’ve spoken to argue that the M2—when properly regulated, oiled and adjusted—can easily match movements from far smarter makers for accuracy. More practically, it can beat most of them for sheer robustness. Its heavy, brass plates may not be as temperature stable as Invar, but an M2 will take a beating and still come up ticking. It’s certainly been around long enough to demonstrate its tough credentials.  No wonder Marathon selected this movement to meet US and Canada’s military requirements for a robust automatic dive rated awatch!

NSN NUMBER: Nato Stock Number 6645-21-558-0133 engraved on the case back.  Marathon’s internal designation for the GSAR is WW194006.

The Marathon GSAR comes with a full 2-year manufacturer’s warranty as do all Marathon watches purchased from Marathon’s oldest authorized retailer — Windy City Watch Collector.

This watch combines Military toughness with Swiss craftsmanship in a watch that will get the job done, and look good doing it for many years!  

Optional bracelet for the Marathon GSAR:

The elegant Marathon Watch stainless steel bracelet is made using high-quality 316L stainless steel with a fine satin finish and contains a total of fourteen (14) solid links. It features a superior floating double screw link system and a locking buckle for extra security. It also has a diver’s extension hidden underneath the clasp to accommodate a wetsuit.  Adjust the bracelet length using the 5 micro adjustments on the signed clasp and by removing up to 6 links. The solid end links are designed to perfectly fit Marathon watches. Add a matching 20mm steel bracelet <-click here

Here is an image of the Marathon GSAR 41mm in use for paradiving by the Canadian Royal Air Force:

The Marathon GSAR in use by Royal Canadian Air Force Search and Rescue Technicians

Be sure a check ou the new Marathon black GSAR 41mm which was introduced in the first quarter of 2018:  Marathon black GSAR <– click here