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18 February 2019, 10:26 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: At Sea
Posts: 394
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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. |
18 February 2019, 11:45 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: May 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 1,448
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Nice, congrats!
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21 February 2019, 05:13 AM | #3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Real Name: Clive
Location: Exoplanet
Watch: spring-driven
Posts: 38,856
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Congrats
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2 March 2019, 12:32 PM | #4 |
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Kansas
Posts: 91
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Mine is coming this week. US govt, date version.
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2 March 2019, 01:39 PM | #5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: KY
Posts: 35
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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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3 March 2019, 08:50 AM | #6 |
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Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: At Sea
Posts: 394
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You will love it!
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3 March 2019, 11:55 AM | #7 |
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Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: UK
Watch: Sub,SD,DJ,OP
Posts: 1,950
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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 |
3 March 2019, 01:21 PM | #8 |
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Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Europe
Posts: 5,635
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Fascinating post OP - and a good looking watch too !
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“My tastes are simple; I am easily satisfied with the best.” ― Winston S. Churchill |
3 March 2019, 08:36 PM | #9 | |
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Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: At Sea
Posts: 394
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Quote:
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3 March 2019, 08:38 PM | #10 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: At Sea
Posts: 394
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3 March 2019, 10:57 PM | #11 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Real Name: Joe
Location: North Carolina
Watch: 1983 15003
Posts: 626
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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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“The timid man yearns for full value and asks for a tenth. The bold man strikes for double value and compromises on par.” - Mark Twain |
3 March 2019, 11:04 PM | #12 |
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Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: UK
Watch: Sub,SD,DJ,OP
Posts: 1,950
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They are a great watch, you won't regret it.
They look pretty cool also |
4 March 2019, 06:10 AM | #13 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: At Sea
Posts: 394
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4 March 2019, 06:13 AM | #14 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: UK
Watch: Sub,SD,DJ,OP
Posts: 1,950
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Quote:
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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4 March 2019, 06:18 AM | #15 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: UK
Watch: Sub,SD,DJ,OP
Posts: 1,950
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4 March 2019, 06:24 AM | #16 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Paris
Posts: 3,536
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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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4 March 2019, 06:56 AM | #17 |
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Join Date: Sep 2017
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Posts: 394
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4 March 2019, 07:02 AM | #18 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Colorado Springs
Watch: Seiko's
Posts: 2,563
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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. |
4 March 2019, 08:02 AM | #19 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: At Sea
Posts: 394
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4 March 2019, 08:02 AM | #20 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: At Sea
Posts: 394
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4 March 2019, 08:05 AM | #21 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Colorado Springs
Watch: Seiko's
Posts: 2,563
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4 March 2019, 09:32 AM | #22 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Real Name: Fred
Location: KY, USA
Watch: GMT-Master II
Posts: 9,991
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You are not alone...I just ordered one...
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4 March 2019, 11:07 AM | #23 |
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Real Name: Dr Mark R Nail
Location: New Albany
Watch: Tudor Sub 75090
Posts: 8,057
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Nice.
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4 March 2019, 09:10 PM | #24 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: At Sea
Posts: 394
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Quote:
Let us know how you like them. |
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4 March 2019, 09:34 PM | #25 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: At Sea
Posts: 394
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Here are a few:
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4 March 2019, 10:36 PM | #26 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: UK
Watch: Sub,SD,DJ,OP
Posts: 1,950
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Wow and Wow. Awesome photos, well done.
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5 March 2019, 04:03 AM | #27 |
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Paris
Posts: 3,536
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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. |
5 March 2019, 12:43 PM | #28 |
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Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: USA
Posts: 31
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Nice looking piece! Awesome boat photos too
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6 March 2019, 08:34 AM | #29 |
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Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: At Sea
Posts: 394
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Thanks guys!
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6 March 2019, 08:37 AM | #30 |
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