Why This Marathon Completed A Dream

My journey to discovering this watch takes me all the way back to my teenage years in England. Sitting in front of the old family PC, firing up the internet, and diving deep into the pages of watch forums. It was here, in the early days of the web, that I stumbled upon Marathon, an obscure brand at the time. In an age before Instagram and YouTube, finding hidden gems like Marathon required real effort, but that’s exactly what I did.
I became captivated, exploring different references, model numbers, and uncovering the fascinating history behind this military-focused brand.

Back then, as a teenager still in school, the idea of actually owning a Marathon watch seemed unimaginable. I came from a single-parent household, never lacking the essentials, but a pricey mechanical watch was simply out of the question, and I was perfectly fine with that. My obsession with watches wasn’t driven by a desire to own them but rather by a genuine thirst for knowledge.

Fast forward two decades, I now find myself living in Toronto, Canada — the very city where Marathon is based. Over the years, my passion for watches has only grown. From affordable Seikos to the “if you know, you know” brands like Doxa and Glycine, watches have been a constant companion in my life. This obsession led me to the Toronto Timepiece Show in September 2024.

The OSAR-D was launched just a couple of days before the event, and it immediately grabbed my attention. I also caught James Stacey and Jason Heaton mentioning it on their podcast (TGN) and I knew that I’d need to check it out. I was excited to finally get hands on with Marathon as I’d still never actually seen one in person, it’s safe to say that they didn’t disappoint.

Now, the watch itself is a modern re-introduction of the OSAR-D (original search and rescue date) which was released in the early 2000’s. It measures in at 41mm at the bezel, but the case is only 39.5mm making it surprisingly compact and wearable. The lug to lug comes in at 48mm which will be pleasing for many, and the bezel action is honestly one of the best in the business.
The maxi dial will be a point of contention among enthusiasts with its oversized indices and cyclops, but for me they both add to the appeal of this one. I am drawn to the unusual and this design is exactly that. The legibility has been fantastic at a glance and is just what you’d expect from a watch built to strict military specifications.
For the band, I opted for the silicone strap as I feel that it suits the aesthetic of the watch perfectly and it’s a good one too. The material feels fantastic and the hardware is top notch, also saving a bit of weight and adding to the wearability. The watch is powered by the ever reliable Sellita SW200 and mine has been performing well at around +2 seconds per day.

To sum it up, this watch is an absolute hit. I’ve worn it almost daily since picking it up, and there’s something truly special about owning a watch from a brand rooted in the city I now call home. Over 90% of Marathon’s business still comes from military and government contracts, a remarkable feat in a world dominated by budget friendly alternatives. Clearly, there’s still a significant demand for watches designed with purpose and quality in mind.

If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s this: If the watch is good enough for the Canadian Armed Forces, it’s more than good enough for me.
And honestly, if I could meet my teenage self now, I’m certain he’d be beyond proud to see us wearing our very own Marathon on our wrist.

Pros:
– Bezel Action

– Rugged Build Quality

– Legibility

Cons:

– Lume

– Power Reserve

– Prevents Me Wearing Other Watches

Quality
90

Style
88

Value
70

Wearability
75