At Marathon, every timepiece we build represents more than just a functional tool—it’s a blend of trusted heritage and modern innovation. Since 1941, Marathon has produced purpose-driven watches for military, aviation, law enforcement, and rescue professionals. But what truly sets our watches apart is our unwavering commitment to evolve without compromise, combining the field-proven elements of our legacy models with cutting-edge advancements in materials and movement technology.
Purpose First, Innovation Always
Our philosophy has never wavered: function comes first. We build watches to serve, to endure, and to perform in the most demanding environments. Yet within that framework of rugged dependability, we constantly pursue improvements—responding to real-world feedback from military personnel and professional users.
This commitment to modernization while honouring traditional utility is what drives the evolution of Marathon’s most iconic designs. We don’t redesign to be trendy—we refine for purpose.
Evolving Legacy: The SAR Series
Consider the evolution of our Type I Search and Rescue (SAR) watch—known today as the OSAR-D. Originally developed for the Canadian Air Force Search and Rescue Techs, the SAR watch was designed to meet the strict requirements of search and rescue operators. It was, and still is, built for legibility, durability, and resilience.
Today’s OSAR-D carries the same DNA as the original, but has been enhanced with:
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Improved movements with increased precision
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Upgraded MaraGlo illumination
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Larger indices and an improved cyclops for enhanced legibility
These features don’t depart from the original intent—they build upon it. This is how we ensure that our heritage designs stay mission-ready for the next generation of professionals.
Precision Engineered: The Modern Quartz Navigator
One of the clearest examples of our modernization is the reengineered Quartz Navigator. Originally developed for pilots and paratroopers, this watch had to meet tough criteria for pressure resistance, readability, and low-maintenance accuracy.
Our newest Quartz Navigator model boasts:
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Accuracy of ±10 seconds per year—an extraordinary benchmark for quartz watches
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Battery life of at least 5-7 years
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Enhanced bezel and crown for better grip
This level of performance is the result of decades of refinement, informed directly by the needs of paratroopers and flight crews in the field. It’s a modern upgrade built within the timeless structure of a military classic.
Tradition in Motion
At Marathon, heritage is not about nostalgia—it’s about proven reliability. Our mechanical movements are a constant in our lineup, with advancements like higher accuracy, antimagnetic properties, and increased power reserves.
Whether we’re designing an automatic dive watch for underwater operations or refining a general-purpose quartz model for ground forces, we always return to one principle: the gear must serve the mission. It must survive impact. Resist corrosion. Remain visible in darkness. Keep perfect time when timing is everything.
This balance of tradition and advancement ensures Marathon watches are not just historically respected, but actively used by today’s armed forces, first responders, and professionals around the world.
Moving Forward with Purpose
We don’t innovate for innovation’s sake. We modernize with purpose, guided by the needs of those who wear our watches when the stakes are high. From the cockpit to the ocean floor, the battlefield to the workshop—Marathon watches are trusted because they are built with intentional design and tested performance.
Whether it’s upgrading movements, enhancing durability, or refining comfort, every advancement we make is in service to a tradition that values accuracy, clarity, and reliability.
Explore our full line of military-grade watches here and see how we continue to blend legacy craftsmanship with 21st-century innovation.
Marathon remains a brand built on history—but always engineered for what comes next.
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