Marathon SSNAV 41MM Quartz
“Tool Watch Certified”
This review has been a long time coming, not only from receiving the watch and taking time to get data on it wearing it for weeks but also regarding my watch journey as a whole. The Marathon Navigator and the SSNAV have been on my mind for years and up and till recently have I found myself in a position to get a hold of one these models and dig in for review. I would like to personally thank Marathon Watch Company for making this all possible and trusting the SBWC with a review of one of what I believe is Marathons staple models.
Early Years of Marathon Interest
The early years in my previous career I remember getting into a Griffon Helicopter to be inserted into what to me at the time felt like the jungles of Vietnam which in reality was my first Helo flight into the back country of Canada. Holding onto my C7A1 Rifle with fixed stock and iron sights, wearing olive drab camo uniform and a load bearing vest I felt like I was living a childhood dream, in fact I was. Contour flying map of the earth moving in formation with two other Helo's I had flashes of images of Vietnam documentaries and fictional Movies in my head trying to not let my mind wander to much and look for a clear LZ to touch down in.
I had been a student of war long before my time in service constantly scanning any document, book, magazine for what the latest and greatest units were wearing, utilizing, trusting and operating with. One of those images that was burned into my memory was men operating in the 90s in the middle east wearing Marathon watches. Specifically, the Navigator. Flash forwards a decade I am now stepping off the skid of a Griffon and looking back to see if my fireteam partner is by my side as we set off into a week of hell in the bush. Just over his left shoulder I saw a watch not just any watch but a legend of a time piece, a Marathon Navigator strapped over the cuff of the Griffon Pilots wrist. It didn’t take long for the foggy memory as a kid and the modern mind to make a connection. “One day I will own that watch” I said to myself as we stepped off the helicopter skid into the tall grass.
History of the Navigator and Stainless-Steel Navigator
The navigator was designed in 1986 in partnership with Kelly Air Force Base by the current chief watchmaker along side the father of the current president of Marathon. The Steel Navigator brings a powerful package in a small asymmetrical watch case. With great functionality and unmatched Quartz accuracy its trusted by pilots, parachutists and adventurers alike.
The navigator has many forms but today we will discuss specifically the Stainless-Steel Navigator No Date 41MM.
The modern version of this watch has seen some changes that we will cover in this review.
Delivery of the SSNAV
The SSNAV came in a simple carboard box with a card inside highlighting the affiliation of Marathon with the Department of Defense and the graphics were very well done stating the specs of the watch. Within a small Marathon Stamped slide open Tin was the watch on a DEFSTAN Strap. Surrounded by foam there was no need for flash. This is a tool watch, and it felt like just that as if I was being issued this piece from Marathon with a subtle go out and explore message. Or go Mach 10 whatever floats your boat. The watch felt great in the hand and as always, I stepped outside to truly behold the wizardry of watch making and see the watch for where it truly belongs. Outside in the elements.
My Opinion on Adventure / Tool watches
A lot of watches claim the adventure or explorer title but with polished surfaces and price tags into the thousands most tool watch users see this as a flash of the past. A true adventure piece is undoubtedly brushed or blasted and meant to take a beating. With innovation and technological advancements explorer/field style watches have now gone from Flemings Rolex’s to Field pieces from companies like Marathon. The fictional characters of past were inflated to a certain extent. A true ex military / Intelligence officer would most likely rock a time piece from their service that they knew they could depend upon. That being said…Does a watch give you away? In today’s day and age of max information and social media platforms thoroughly detailing watches of certain communities does it tip someone’s hand when they are on the job? So much to consider right? That’s why I believe we all have found ourselves here for lack of better terms we are all watch enthusiast seeking information pertaining to our hobby. Marathon is definitely one of those tool watch brands that I believe when seen in the wild truly sends off those “If you know you know” vibes.
I personally have met members of certain Three Letter Agencies during Theatre Mission Specific Training (TMST) before deploying for the first time to Afghanistan in 2010 who gave us detailed intelligence briefs and the “Redacted” was wearing a Marathon, specifically a USMC Diver. Case and point proven.
Yes of course, there is the truth behind serving members buying high end Swiss timepieces after deployments, but those days of buying an achievable Swiss time piece are for the most part for the fortunate military’s that pay decent salary. I believe although possible we need to get on a different bearing. Enter Marathon. As stated earlier I felt like I was issued this watch and its an easy grab and go piece you know has your back. On wrist it sits flatter then I thought, The DEFSTAN gave me some troubles turning the tail end back over and re inserting it into the keepers. I can honestly say though over time I can see it worked in and working but for now the SSNAV has been moved onto a "Five Eyes" from Watches of Espionage and it will be a battle I think to find anything else more suiting. The overall fit and finish is superb, and I don’t think I can really compare it to other brands. Its, its own creature. Sure, there are other asymmetrical cases out there from other brands but in my mind the SSNAV does it best.
The Review from Inside to Outside
Movement: ETA F06.402 Heavy Drive-Precision Drive Quartz Movement. This powerhouse of a movement being battery driven has an accuracy of plus or minus 10 seconds a year. That’s right a year. Now I know what some elitist will say “UGH QUARTZ”. But I say to you does this watch need to be automatic? Does a watch made for Pilots and Navigators need to be automatic? (although Marathon offers the SSNAV in automatic which is a plus) I truly don’t think a watch that is meant to be used in extremely austere conditions being exposed to intense G Forces should even be auto. Although I doubt Marathons Auto would have any troubles at all performing the quartz is my vote. Hands down. The whole concept is semi mass production with incredible specs to strap onto the wrist of men and women who have made the decision to lay their lives on the line down to the second. In this environment quartz is king end of story.
Case: The 41mm by 48mm Asymmetrical Case built from 316L Surgical grade blasted stainless steel with a proper screw down crown guarded by the case shape and making it operational at a cool 10 ATM or 100M/300ft. This case design features more enhanced 20MM drilled lugs and tapering making the SSNAV very comfortable on the wrist whether it be on a second to none WOE "Five Eyes" or on a rubber strap. Personally, I believe the SSNAV belongs on a Strap well for obvious reasons. The increased height of the 12-hour GMT Bezel sits perfectly on top of the asymmetrical case providing great purchase with or without flight gloves on. Its Bidirectional and a dream to operate. With a tritium lume pip for easy identification in low light conditions, this watch is ready for any night mission under NOD’s.
The Bezel: Featuring inset-painted indices that are in stark contrast to the black and easy to read even while in turbulent conditions. Protecting the dial of the SSNAV is a highly durable AR coated sapphire crystal. This allows the watch to withstand extreme changes in air pressure which is necessary for a watch being used by military pilots at altitudes of over 35,000ft.
Dial: Under the Sapphire sits the matte black dial. This specific model as requested is a no date and sterile dial with no branding. The outer minute track, hours and sub hours (24-hour Military time) are painted on the dial in a clean white perfectly contrasting against the black. With a Trefoil at the 3 O’clock and a H3 at the 9. To the flanks of the 6 or 1800 marker are the words Swiss Made. Although Canadian, Marathons watches are made in Switzerland giving them even more credibility on the world stage. The hour markers are self contained Tritium tubes with a very healthy life span ensuring perfect legibility in all low light conditions for many years to come. The 12 O’clock marker is orange to assist in orientation at night. The hand stack is lower than what I expected with the quartz movement it maintains a decent thickness of 11mm. Both the Hour and Minute hand are syringe style with the lume also being Self Contained Tritium gas tubes. The seconds hand is counter balanced by a small circle, with a tip that is arrow shaped, do I dare say SR71 shaped with an extension all the way to the minute track for accurate seconds timing.
Note: Tritium is an Isotope of hydrogen that will not dull over time like photoluminescent paint.
Flipping the watch over we find a boat load of data engraved on the case back. Around the circumference of the case back we have “3 Jewel Quartz / Swiss Made / 10 ATM / 316L Stainless Steel” With a sub case back for ease of battery replacement having its own engraving and easy notch to aid in battery replacement. The engraving on the small case back is a Nod to Marathons roots with a Canadian Maple Leaf and Marathon Brand. At the 6 o’clock of the case back we have a paragraph.
WATCH, WRIST NAVIGATOR
WW19400155 – CAGE 38776
26 MILLICURIES
NRC ID: 54-28526-01E
47QSEA20D0060
CTRL NO. 30165050
SER. NO. 0543
A little long winded but gets the point across that this watch was designed for service and always will be a go to adventure piece.
In Closing AAR (After Action Review)
The SSNAV is by far one of the coolest pieces I have ever had the privilege of owning. From being a fan of them before I even got into watches in my early service days to stalking them online over the last 5 years, I really have come to appreciate everything Marathon has to offer. After having the privilege of meeting Mitchell at the TTPS and speaking with Marathon you can tell they have a niche area of the market they fit into, and they own that space. From their divers to their flight watches I can honestly say I am very impressed by Marathon Watch Company, and I wish them all the best as they move forward.
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