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Old 18 February 2019, 10:26 PM   #1
Atlantic
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It’s plastic, it’s quartz and I love it...the Marathon Pilot’s Navigator!

First, a little history. I am a watch lover, currently having twelve watches in my collection, all but two being mechanical and including three Rolexes (two Subs and an Explorer II). I am also a life long sailor, having completed three trans Atlantic voyages and many thousands of miles, offshore, cruising and racing between Maine, Bermuda and the Caribbean on my twelve meter cutter.

Last fall, after spending a year and a half in Europe, I decided to sail to Martinique, in the Caribbean, from Portugal. For navigation, I always sail with a minimum of three independent GPS’s in addition to my Furuno chart plotter and radar. For this last voyage I decided to add a sextant as an additional back up, and for this I would need an incredibly accurate watch. Both of my Subs have been regulated to approximately plus one to two seconds per day, but that would not be enough for my purposes.

I was already familiar with Marathon’s excellent line of military issue watches having had a GSAR for a number of years. I gave this watch to my son for Christmas shortly after purchasing my second Sub, a 114060.

Enter the military spec Marathon Pilot’s Navigator. I chose the black, sterile, no date version. This attractive 41mm watch is incredibly light and comfortable, the asymmetrical case, being made of an impact resistant fibershell composite with a hesalite crystal and a 316L stainless back, and fitted with a 20mm pull through nylon strap. The watch also features a rotating GMT bezel. The crystal is resistant to rapid negative pressure changes, as you would encounter were you to parachute from a high altitude. The watch is rated to six atmospheres and uses tritium illumination, which is very useful on those long and often moonless night watches.

But, the icing on the cake is the incredibly accurate, Swiss, high torque, hacking, ETA F06 movement which features an End of Life indicator that will advance the second hand every four seconds to inform you that a battery change is needed. I tested this movement over a twenty-five day period and it gained an unbelievable .02 seconds per day. This works out to plus 7.3 seconds per year!

This all goes to show, for me at least, that a watch need not be expensive or mechanical to tick all of the right boxes.
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Old 18 February 2019, 11:45 PM   #2
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Nice, congrats!
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Old 21 February 2019, 05:13 AM   #3
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Congrats
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Old 2 March 2019, 12:32 PM   #4
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Mine is coming this week. US govt, date version.
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Old 2 March 2019, 01:39 PM   #5
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I have the same non government version and find it incredibly versatile. The 12 hour bezel makes it easy to use as a travel watch along with the light weight, tritium lume, and overall care free wear.


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Old 3 March 2019, 08:50 AM   #6
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Mine is coming this week. US govt, date version.
You will love it!

Quote:
Originally Posted by ak5659 View Post
I have the same non government version and find it incredibly versatile. The 12 hour bezel makes it easy to use as a travel watch along with the light weight, tritium lume, and overall care free wear.
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Old 3 March 2019, 11:55 AM   #7
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These are great watches, worn mine on and off in Afghanistan since 2011. This one is actually my second one, i snapped the lug off the first one.

Not even sure how i did it, was during a stand to. Once everything had returned to normal felt it flapping around on its NATO. Thinking maybe caught it on safe room door?
This one has had some good old fashion abuse and still keeping perfect time. Its one of my favourite watches and wears really comfortably.

Super bright lumes

IMG_1747.jpeg

Last edited by BisonHead; 3 March 2019 at 11:57 AM.. Reason: Spelling
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Old 3 March 2019, 01:21 PM   #8
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Fascinating post OP - and a good looking watch too !
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Old 3 March 2019, 08:36 PM   #9
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These are great watches, worn mine on and off in Afghanistan since 2011. This one is actually my second one, i snapped the lug off the first one.

Not even sure how i did it, was during a stand to. Once everything had returned to normal felt it flapping around on its NATO. Thinking maybe caught it on safe room door?
This one has had some good old fashion abuse and still keeping perfect time. Its one of my favourite watches and wears really comfortably.

Super bright lumes

Attachment 1024114
Glad you both survived!
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Old 3 March 2019, 08:38 PM   #10
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Fascinating post OP - and a good looking watch too !
Thank you, I enjoyed writing it!
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Old 3 March 2019, 10:57 PM   #11
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I was just sharing this story with my wife yesterday. She asked how long it took me to start shopping for the watch. (About 30 seconds after reading the story).

I'm going to pick up one of these ASAP.
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Old 3 March 2019, 11:04 PM   #12
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They are a great watch, you won't regret it.

They look pretty cool also
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Old 4 March 2019, 06:10 AM   #13
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They are a great watch, you won't regret it.

They look pretty cool also
X2
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Old 4 March 2019, 06:13 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by august1410 View Post
I was just sharing this story with my wife yesterday. She asked how long it took me to start shopping for the watch. (About 30 seconds after reading the story).

I'm going to pick up one of these ASAP.
If you would like one thats "Served" here in Afghanistan, i can see if i can get you one. No promises, but might be able to.

I am back on Big base tomorrow, so will see who i can mug, i mean ask ahaha

Last edited by BisonHead; 4 March 2019 at 06:15 AM.. Reason: hit post
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Old 4 March 2019, 06:18 AM   #15
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Glad you both survived!
Sorry meant to Thank you earlier. Your living the life there with the sailing. Well done and enjoy every minute
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Old 4 March 2019, 06:24 AM   #16
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I would love to see pictures of your travels if you mind sharing them! I love boats.
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Old 4 March 2019, 06:56 AM   #17
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Sorry meant to Thank you earlier. Your living the life there with the sailing. Well done and enjoy every minute
Thank you my friend! Watch yourself over there!
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Old 4 March 2019, 07:02 AM   #18
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I bought this watch twice, I have given it away every time. I felt like I had a bubble gum machine watch on.

Glad other people like it.
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Old 4 March 2019, 08:02 AM   #19
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I would love to see pictures of your travels if you mind sharing them! I love boats.
I’ll resize and post some pix for you.
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Old 4 March 2019, 08:02 AM   #20
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I bought this watch twice, I have given it away every time. I felt like I had a bubble gum machine watch on.

Glad other people like it.
Different strokes!
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Old 4 March 2019, 08:05 AM   #21
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Different strokes!
You are totally right.
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Old 4 March 2019, 09:32 AM   #22
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Originally Posted by august1410 View Post
I was just sharing this story with my wife yesterday. She asked how long it took me to start shopping for the watch. (About 30 seconds after reading the story).

I'm going to pick up one of these ASAP.
You are not alone...I just ordered one...
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Old 4 March 2019, 11:07 AM   #23
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Nice.
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Old 4 March 2019, 09:10 PM   #24
Atlantic
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Quote:
Originally Posted by august1410 View Post
I was just sharing this story with my wife yesterday. She asked how long it took me to start shopping for the watch. (About 30 seconds after reading the story).

I'm going to pick up one of these ASAP.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Latrodectus View Post
You are not alone...I just ordered one...

Let us know how you like them.
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Old 4 March 2019, 09:34 PM   #25
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I would love to see pictures of your travels if you mind sharing them! I love boats.
Here are a few:
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Old 4 March 2019, 10:36 PM   #26
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Wow and Wow. Awesome photos, well done.
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Old 5 March 2019, 04:03 AM   #27
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That's awesome!

Sunrise, sunset and waking up has to be an amazing feeling on a boat in the middle of nowhere.
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Old 5 March 2019, 12:43 PM   #28
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Nice looking piece! Awesome boat photos too
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Old 6 March 2019, 08:34 AM   #29
Atlantic
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Thanks guys!
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Old 6 March 2019, 08:37 AM   #30
Atlantic
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That's awesome!

Sunrise, sunset and waking up has to be an amazing feeling on a boat in the middle of nowhere.
Yes, it is amazing! Life becomes very simple and focused, wind, water, your craft and how they interact.
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