Marathon’s legacy is firmly rooted in the rigorous, uncompromising demands of military and government contracting. For decades, their watches have been less about fashion and more about essential, life-saving kit, first issued to Canadian Search and Rescue (SAR) Techs in the early 2000s.
The original SAR-D established the benchmark for a mission-ready dive watch. Now, that lineage is significantly enhanced and expanded with the introduction of the Marathon 46mm Original SAR w/ Date Watch, a timepiece that maintains its core tactical ethos while embracing superior mechanical and ergonomic engineering.
While Marathon’s re-engineered 41mm OSAR-D (Original Search and Rescue with Date) proved a successful evolution, the brand recognized that not all operators—nor all wrists—are built the same. The addition of the formidable 46mm case size addresses this reality, offering a robust presence built to accommodate larger wrist sizes and deliver enhanced visibility under duress.
This is a watch engineered for ultimate endurance, featuring a solid 316L stainless steel case with a brushed finish and a rugged, knurled screw-down crown that ensures its 30 ATM (300-meter) submersibility rating remains intact.
The watch adheres strictly to its purpose-built design. It features the iconic unidirectional, fully hashed bezel with a 60-minute scale, built for precise timing during critical operations. Legibility is paramount, with the dial featuring enlarged indices and the brand’s upgraded MaraGlo illumination, which works in conjunction with highly visible tritium tubes found in other SAR models, ensuring maximum visibility in all conditions. The cyclops date window has also been improved, offering 1.5x magnification for quick, unambiguous reading.
However, the 46mm OSAR-D distinguishes itself not just by its size, but by its mechanical heart. This specific model is the first in the SAR series to be equipped with the powerful Sellita SW600 b automatic movement.
This high-performance calibre boasts a 62-hour power reserve, a significant upgrade that offers reliability and endurance for extended missions. Like all OSAR-D models, it features Incabloc® shock protection, affirming its ability to withstand the inevitable high-impact environments encountered by SAR professionals. The movement, housed beneath a tough sapphire crystal, delivers precision and durability for every demanding scenario.
The Marathon 46mm Original SAR w/ Date Watch, priced at £3000 and delivered complete with its stainless steel bracelet, is more than just a tool; it is a continuation of a specific, high-stakes military tradition. It is a piece of kit developed to meet Canadian Government requirements, now available for those who demand uncompromising build quality and reliability, whether they are conducting a search mission or simply appreciating rugged excellence.
