OSAR-D Original Search and Rescue with Date - Rubber Ref. WW194006SS-2030

The brand Marathon might be new to some, but not for Canadians, Americans, and especially military watch fanatics like us. The moniker is better known to watch collectors be among the few that, until today, officially offers no-frills timepieces to the military. Those regimes include the United States and Canadian army since circa 70 years ago.

Marathon OSAR-D Original Search and Rescue with Date - Rubber Ref. WW194006SS-2030

Let's dive a little deeper. The company that was to become Marathon Watch was founded in 1904 as Weinsturm Watch, later to be named Wein Brothers. In 1939, Morris Wein founded Marathon Watch, supplying fine precision timepieces throughout North America. Since 1941, Marathon has been manufacturing timing instruments for the Allied Forces, and today the fourth generation of the family continues the tradition with a wide range of tools measuring time, temperature, and distance. Marathon watches combine military durability with Swiss engineering and craftsmanship to ensure the highest level of quality and precision. All these traits showcased on the Marathon Original Search and Rescue with Date - Rubber (OSAR-D) Ref. WW194006SS-2001 that we are going to introduce today.
 
The acronym "OSAR" stands for "Original Search and Rescue," referring to officially issued watches designed for military personnel across various branches and roles. While this model is built to withstand harsh conditions, making it suitable for underwater operations, it is versatile enough for use in a wide range of environments. The OSAR emphasizes functionality over flamboyance; while it may appear understated, it is purpose-built to support military missions effectively.

Date w/ 1.5x Magnification

The OSAR starts with its 316L stainless steel case that measures 41mm wide, with a height of 14mm thick and 48mm lug to lug. Further, the finishing of the case gets a full satin-brushed polishing, removing any source of inessential reflections in this case, while still being immaculately executed. The 120-clicks bezel gets expansive grooves that allow one to rotate it uni-directionally in almost any conditions, especially when your hands get wet. The engraved black anodized bezel stays true to military format, having it in a 60-minute format, with a luminous triangle pip at 12 o'clock. The dimension of the timepiece allows one to feel its sturdiness and being built with all sense of purpose, to be out in the field.
 
Moving to the side profile, we get beefy squared crown guards that flange the nailed-textured screw-down crown for easy manipulation. Flipping it over, we get the screw-in case-back, allowing it to withstand 300m water-resistant. Right on the case-back, we get the essential government markings and specifications engraved. These provide credentials on the OSAR as manufactured following US Government specification. All that said, we assure it is safe to say that both watch collectors and the US military for use in operations on the land and water.

Sellita SW200-1 with Incabloc Shock Absorber

As you'd expect in a military-style watch, the dial needs all the right ingredients to live up its livery. Underneath its flat sapphire crystal with date magnifier, Marathon has MaraGlo™ on its hour markers and syringe-style handset. Even the second-hand gets its one at the tip, allowing one to view the time with maximum legibility even when you are in the dark for more than 24 hours. The dial is simple, featuring lumed geometric hour markers for a clean layout that prioritizes legibility with the date placed at 3'oclock position. Lastly, only essentials wordings are onboard, having the "Marathon, and "Automatic" with "300m/ 1000ft (in red)" at the bottom. All this information on the OSAR is easy to determine even at a glance.
 
Inside its heart lies the traditional Swiss Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement, which operates at 28,800 bph (4 Hertz) with hacking and hand winding capabilities. It has 26 jewels with a power reserve of 38 hours. The use of this movement shows that Marathon emphasizes on durability and accuracy under all conditions.

Maraglo glows in the dark

Attached to the OSAR-D is a high-quality 20mm black vulcanized rubber strap that complements the watch's rugged design. This strap is not only durable and comfortable but also features a secure signed buckle for added reliability during intense activities. The choice of rubber enhances the watch's suitability for aquatic environments, allowing it to be easily worn over a wetsuit if needed. This functional design element aligns with the watch's adventure-ready ethos, elevating its sportiness and making it an ideal companion for outdoor enthusiasts​
 
In all, Marathon products are manufactured with the utmost care and go through various quality control measures. This attention to quality presented in the Marathon OSAR-D - Rubber Ref. WW194006SS-2001, combining military toughness with Swiss craftsmanship. The world of military-style tool watches ever populated in the industry, where consumers have the options to choose from, but not all have the right to get approved by the US Government until today. The Marathon OSAR-D - Rubber Ref. WW194006SS-2001 stands out from the rest in this way since day one, and besides, their watches are built with a purpose in every aspect that offers startling value for money for us watch collectors.

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