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Marathon D-SAR  Rating:  Rating
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 Posted: Thu Aug 2nd, 2007 05:52 pm
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Danny S
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Not a serious review, just initial impressions from a new owner. 

Many, if not most of you are far more familiar with the SAR than I am.. don't know why it took me so long to get around to this one.   This is the D-SAR, delivered w/ mis-marked H3 dial on a luminova watch.  Sold at discount, the dial issue is immaterial to me.  Watch was purchased as a base for dial & hand modifications.

Actual issue watches,  the SAR (Search & Rescue) is made by the Marathon Watch Company to Canadian Mil Spec.  (..hence the maple leaf on clasp)  Sturdy and robust, I'm finding this watch a pleasant surprise.  Online watch purchases (sight unseen) are a little risky by nature.  Having read several posts that complained the SAR was on the small side, I was prepared to be underwhelmed.  That fear was completely groundless.  True, bezel diameter (outer edge to outer grooved edge) of ~41.3mm is a little smaller than the behemoths we're used to these days, but much of that visual mass is gained back by the chunky 5mm bezel height.  On the wrist the SAR's "stack" height is an impressive sight.  ~46.5mm wide (including crown), ~47.5mm measured lugtip to lugtip, and ~13.8mm thick this watch, while not oversized, is certainly not small in my book. 



A "Search & Rescue" watch, not officially considered a diver.. the SAR's 2.8mm thick sapphire crystal is overkill for a 300m watch.  Thick crystal combined with deep chapter ring contribute to a distinct "looking into the watch" feel when reading the time.   Crown size and function is top notch.



The Cyclops the SAR is delivered with stirs controversy.  At my age, I'm removed from the love-it or hate-it discussion.  I need it.  End of story!  OTOH, the comparatively wide gap between crystal and dial which allows the installation of tritium tubes in G-SAR & T-SAR variants, also permits the crystal to be "flipped", locating the cyclops on the inner surface.  Gonna give this a shot I believe.



Drilled lugs, bespoke bracelet w/ solid endlinks, ~3.25mm solid "oyster" type links w/ screw-bars rather than spilt pins... All I can say is we sure weren't issued this quality gear back when I was active duty!



While lume intensity & duration is not quite on a par w/ Omega's Seamaster Pro, or Seiko's Lumibrite divers.. it's much better than just adequate, and verges on excellent.

At ~163g (sized for a 7.5" wrist) the SAR is noticeable, but far from uncomfortable.  A solid weighty feel, not a heavy weighty feel.

I've worn this watch exclusively for a couple of weeks before posting, just to make sure my favorable impression wasn't just "new watch glow".  Don't believe that's the case.  This solid diver strikes me as hitting all the right notes, nicely finished but not "flashy", good sized while avoiding "oversized", impressive wrist presence.. but still subtle.  The SAR holds the eye once noticed, but it doesn't go out of it's way to attract attention.

So far I think it's just "spot on".  Don't know why I didn't acquire one sooner.

hand6.gif

 

 

Last edited on Fri Aug 3rd, 2007 12:37 pm by Danny S

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 Posted: Thu Aug 2nd, 2007 06:18 pm
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Skipdawg
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Thanks for sharing that post. Cool watches. Will have to snag one some day. Been on the list but keeps getting bumped for another watch. ;) LOL :D

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 Posted: Thu Aug 2nd, 2007 10:38 pm
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srh_pres
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Nice review and pics Dan...  I would think the 'mismarked' dial would make it a keeper actually... hand6.gif

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 Posted: Fri Aug 3rd, 2007 12:29 pm
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rare m5
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Reading this makes me miss my GSAR I sold to a buddy...

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 Posted: Fri Aug 3rd, 2007 10:55 pm
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oagaspar
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Excellent review and pics Danny!cool10.gif I have been wanting a GSAR for some time and just don't know why I haven't snagged one yet!:D

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 Posted: Sun Aug 5th, 2007 01:06 pm
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Paxman
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I have to echo Oscar's sentiments. Very informative and makes me regret not ever grabbing one of these... 

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 Posted: Mon Sep 10th, 2007 01:04 am
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teddyhanna
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You know I like this piece, someday.

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 Posted: Wed Oct 10th, 2007 09:57 pm
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teddyhanna
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Danny how does this watch look with the bracelet, is it worth it to buy the bracelet?

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 Posted: Wed Oct 10th, 2007 10:18 pm
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Paxman
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teddyhanna wrote: Danny how does this watch look with the bracelet, is it worth it to buy the bracelet?
Teddy-- Having seen CJ's I would say Hell yeah!!

You keep coming back here... perhaps one of these is in your future?

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 Posted: Wed Oct 10th, 2007 10:22 pm
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Danny S
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teddyhanna wrote: Danny how does this watch look with the bracelet, is it worth it to buy the bracelet?

Bracelet makes the watch.  Close fit solid endlinks.. heavy links.. pretty nice clasp.

Still waiting for this one to come home from Kent's "boutique".  I'll photodocument it's transformation when it get's back. 

Mean it though.. SAR's a nice watch on the strap, but it's a serious watch on the bracelet.

hand6.gif 

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 Posted: Wed Oct 10th, 2007 10:47 pm
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teddyhanna
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Ya I cant get away from it,  but I want something for work, I have been wearing a Citizen Sky hawk for about 6 years.  Ya I want a Sapphire crystal because I beat the hell out of a crystal.  Danny , yes I have read your review several times does this watch wear big, I just have to ask anyway?  I have something else coming, but after Dec 1,  or first of the year, I might have to pull the trigger on this one.  Danny is this watch to nice to get banged up.

You know Pax you are very observant.  Enzo, Orsa or Ocean7 is just to nice to wear to work wright now.  So if am going to stare down at my wrist during the day to see the time, than it has to be tricked.  So what do you think Danny, is this a good work watch?

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 Posted: Wed Oct 10th, 2007 11:56 pm
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Danny S
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teddyhanna wrote: ...but I want something for work, ...Ya I want a Sapphire crystal because I beat the hell out of a crystal. ...does this watch wear big,

...is this a good work watch?


SAR measures only a little wider than a SeaDweller, but waay taller.  Thicker case and significantly thicker bezel makes the watch wear much larger than it measures.

I'm the wrong guy to ask about a working watch.  I pull my watch off to change sparkplugs... I just don't let mine get beat-up!  I will rarely spring for something as spendy as a Doxa T-Graph.. but not often.  I may let a Seiko or Citizen get a little dinged up, but beyond that I baby my watches pretty bacly. 

Tough sturdy Search & Rescue watch should be a fantastic work watch, but I don't think I could do it!  I might wear a Monstrum or Bernhardt SeaShark as a daily beater on the job, but the SAR's just too nice a watch for me to work in.  'Course that's just me.. all depends on what you're comfortable with.  I've got a buddy who considers his TT Sub his "nice" watch and his SS Sub his "beater". 

mistake.gif

 

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