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Posted: 12/18/2018 7:32:13 PM EDT
'round and 'round we go...
After swearing off of autos for a while, I'm trying to make friends with Marathon again. Due to my military/LE background, I've always gravitated to the K.I.S.S. nature of the Marathon, and the fact that they are an issued item. They've always seemed too tall for me, but it isn't as much height as it is ergonomics. Here's some comparison shots I took this morning of a 7548-7000 (same size case as the SKX007, et al) and a Marathon 41mm TSAR (same size as a GSAR). 
I got the TSAR at an absolute steal of a price, so I plan on keeping it on for a month straight and see how it goes. So far, it's the most accurate quartz analog I've owned, not ± a second in the two weeks that I've had it, and the seconds hand hits spot-on. That strokes my OCD nicely. This is the 3rd or 4th TSAR I've had, as well as a couple Navigators with the same movement, and they've all been off the indices quite a bit. |
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Posted: 12/18/2018 9:40:37 PM EDT
[#1]
This reminds me, mine needs a battery.
Happen to know what size? Thanks for the pics! Amazing to see what some curves can do. |
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Posted: 12/18/2018 9:50:14 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
This reminds me, mine needs a battery. Happen to know what size? Thanks for the pics! Amazing to see what some curves can do. 
The SKX and TSAR are so similar in size, that a bezel insert for the SKX will fit in a Marathon with just a little relief to the ID. Thinking of putting a 12hr insert in the Marathon eventually. 
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Posted: 12/18/2018 10:25:44 PM EDT
[#3]
Both good choices.
For analog watches, In the 80s and much of the 90s Seiko was seen a lot. In GWOT marathon was seen a lot. I have examples of both. |
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Posted: 12/18/2018 10:59:25 PM EDT
[#4]
I often forget how nice my Marathon SAR is. I'm going to wear it tomorrow.
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Posted: 12/18/2018 11:10:12 PM EDT
[#5]
We use to service quite a bit of Marathons. We had a bunch of them come in with broken crowns, and tritium tubes falling out. I didn't have a problem doing the work because we had a good contact at Marathon for a while. Then they fired him for some reason and now we can't get parts hardly.
Other issue is that around 2006 they did a design change on most their watches. So parts for the later years won't work on them. And they don't stock parts for the older models. Hey I do have a question though, who actually got issued a Marathon? I know a few Marine units use to get to be able to get one from supply. All we were allotted were g-shock 6900's. |
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Posted: 12/18/2018 11:28:04 PM EDT
[#6]
7th Group, 3rd Group
I could have ordered them at a JSOC unit. Keep in mind a lot of these were bought with GP budgeted money, Vs true supply chain. |
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Posted: 12/18/2018 11:29:01 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
We use to service quite a bit of Marathons. We had a bunch of them come in with broken crowns, and tritium tubes falling out. I didn't have a problem doing the work because we had a good contact at Marathon for a while. Then they fired him for some reason and now we can't get parts hardly. Other issue is that around 2006 they did a design change on most their watches. So parts for the later years won't work on them. And they don't stock parts for the older models. Hey I do have a question though, who actually got issued a Marathon? I know a few Marine units use to get to be able to get one from supply. All we were allotted were g-shock 6900's. I know some folks who were issued TSAR's, but they were in the cool kids club. They just pocketed them and continued to wear their DW5600's. |
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Posted: 12/18/2018 11:38:07 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I had a 2006 SAR that needed a case assembly (previous owner tried removing the bezel with a knife). Got the case/bezel/crystal/crown direct from Marathon for $140. I've been quoted around $250 for dial and hands before, but not sure if they'd send those out or require the watch to be sent to the Great White North. I know some folks who were issued TSAR's, but they were in the cool kids club. They just pocketed them and continued to wear their DW5600's. Yeah I have never seen a Marathon issues expect for the shitty plastic ones. |
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Posted: 12/18/2018 11:43:19 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
When did you get that case from them? I have been dealing with them for 3 years but I got frustrated and stopped after the fired the last contact I had. Yeah I have never seen a Marathon issues expect for the shitty plastic ones. |
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Posted: 12/18/2018 11:45:35 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted: A few months ago. Steven Tran sent it out after a few emails back and forth. 
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Posted: 12/18/2018 11:58:15 PM EDT
[#11]
I like my Marathon more and more every time I wear it. Stout knurled crown, clear markings, excellent alignment, and crisp bezel clicks. The JDD is goofy-big but sometimes that works fine.
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Posted: 12/19/2018 2:34:04 AM EDT
[#12]
The TSAR was my first cool watch and I still wear it a lot. Mine is beat to hell. Cool to learn about the 007 bezel inserts will fit with a little modification, I didn’t know that. I’ve had and sold the original SAR few times in the past, really wish I held onto one of those.
The new anthracite gsar is pretty cool too. |
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Posted: 12/19/2018 11:09:56 AM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted: https://cdn7.bigcommerce.com/s-iic0hc/images/stencil/1280x1280/products/44435/64111/renata371__59924.1477069506.jpg The SKX and TSAR are so similar in size, that a bezel insert for the SKX will fit in a Marathon with just a little relief to the ID. Thinking of putting a 12hr insert in the Marathon eventually. https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4877/46324004892_9a044a6f48_z.jpg |
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Posted: 12/19/2018 12:09:45 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted: thank you sir! I had a SAR with a Jim Madrid (one of the original designers) 12hr insert. I posted a pic of it on WUS and a dude paid me $250 for the insert alone. They are apparently rare as hen's-teeth. The Yobokies insert I posted above is stainless with DLC coating and engraved numerals. It's $45 shipped from Harold. 
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Posted: 12/19/2018 12:35:53 PM EDT
[#15]
I regret selling my TSAR, was an almost perfect gym / range / outdoors watch for when I didn't want to get my Omega dinged up.
I did get annoyed at my TSAR and previous GSAR because the paint in the bezel (and sometimes the lume marker) would fall off after shooting, gym, and general outdoor activities. It was getting pretty old having to fill in the bezel markers with white out. |
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Posted: 12/19/2018 12:45:19 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
7th Group, 3rd Group I could have ordered them at a JSOC unit. Keep in mind a lot of these were bought with GP budgeted money, Vs true supply chain. I know in 10th they did not supply these. |
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Posted: 12/19/2018 12:45:37 PM EDT
[#17]
I like the Marathons, own a couple older units. I've no real experience with the Seiko mechanical ones, only Marathon mechanical.
Both are made by the Gallet company for Marathon. That's how Marathon got started; with gov contracts, filled by Gallet manufacturing 
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Posted: 12/19/2018 7:09:53 PM EDT
[#18]
Quoted:
After swearing off of autos for a while Out of curiosity, can I ask why? |
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Posted: 12/20/2018 12:36:26 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I like the Marathons, own a couple older units. I've no real experience with the Seiko mechanical ones, only Marathon mechanical. Both are made by the Gallet company for Marathon. That's how Marathon got started; with gov contracts, filled by Gallet manufacturing https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/923/byjQnx.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/922/dg2OD8.png I have to say most of my gear issued to me in the military was lowest bidder gear, I do not have many positive things to say about any of it. 
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Posted: 12/20/2018 1:38:31 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
That is what I am saying. I have never seen one of these actually issued. The only ones were the shitty plastic quartz versions. I know in 10th they did not supply these. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
7th Group, 3rd Group I could have ordered them at a JSOC unit. Keep in mind a lot of these were bought with GP budgeted money, Vs true supply chain. I know in 10th they did not supply these. From the 90s on I have seen various NSN and non NSN glasses, goggles, Nike, garmin and sunrise hockey puck watches, and marathons - In a mix of official issued supply chain and various other general budget lines. I would see the cheap little plastic watches as issue now and then. I almost let guys order the marathon automatic chronographs at 1200 bucks a pop, but had no legit way to let them prepay and a dozen statement of charges the day after signed for was beyond even my grey, blurry line. It does amaze me what you were expected to have and buy with your own money decades ago vs issue now. |
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Posted: 12/20/2018 1:40:29 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Out of curiosity, can I ask why? No other explanation is fathomable. |
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Posted: 12/20/2018 1:58:19 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Yeah, I can’t say for sure. In the 80s most people in Ranger Bn seemed to have the poor man’s Rolex, a Seiko 6309. G shocks started coming out around then. If you were scout swimmer or combat diver you could sign for a Seiko H558 from supply. They were always out. They were pretty beat, broken shrounds, etc. and I suspect COTS vs true issue. From the 90s on I have seen various NSN and non NSN glasses, goggles, Nike, garmin and sunrise hockey puck watches, and marathons - In a mix of official issued supply chain and various other general budget lines. I would see the cheap little plastic watches as issue now and then. I almost let guys order the marathon automatic chronographs at 1200 bucks a pop, but had no legit way to let them prepay and a dozen statement of charges the day after signed for was beyond even my grey, blurry line. It does amaze me what you were expected to have and buy with your own money decades ago vs issue now. I got out in 05' and we still have to purchase the good stuff ourselves if we wanted. |
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Posted: 12/20/2018 2:35:16 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Out of curiosity, can I ask why? 2. Durability (I work in a building that was used for building wind turbine stators. Everything gets magnetized) 3. Power reserve 4. Gay porn |
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Posted: 12/20/2018 7:19:38 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted: 1. Accuracy 2. Durability (I work in a building that was used for building wind turbine stators. Everything gets magnetized) 3. Power reserve 4. Gay porn
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Posted: 12/21/2018 1:56:39 AM EDT
[#25]
Yeah, I love my automatics, including my TSAR. But, I also work around permanent magnet synchronous motors and the VVVF drives that power them. So when they start running fast, I check them with a compass. If they repel one pole and attract another, it’s time to de-magnetize them. I got a cheap unit off Amazon and it seems to do the trick well enough.
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