Marathon Watch has officially introduced its new Anthracite SAR collection, bringing a fully blacked-out treatment to one of its most recognizable professional dive platforms. The release includes four references across three case sizes: the 46mm Anthracite JDD, the 41mm Anthracite GSAR available on stainless steel or rubber, and the 36mm Anthracite MSAR Auto.
For anyone familiar with the SAR line, this foundation will feel immediately recognizable. The Search and Rescue series was originally developed in the early 1990s to meet Canadian Government requirements for professional operations, and it remains in use within U.S. and Canadian military contexts. That utilitarian DNA is still very much intact here. The difference is aesthetic. Everything is rendered in a dark anthracite finish that leans hard into the tactical side of Marathon’s identity.
Across the collection, the core specifications remain consistent. All models feature 30 ATM water resistance, sapphire crystals, and fully hashed unidirectional bezels with 60-minute timing scales. The dials are built around constant legibility, using tritium gas tubes for always-on illumination paired with MaraGlo luminous material. If you know Marathon, you already know that lume is part of the brand’s calling card.
Movement-wise, the 41mm GSAR and 36mm MSAR are powered by the Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement with an Incabloc shock absorber. The 46mm JDD steps up to the Sellita SW220, also equipped with Incabloc. These are proven Swiss automatic calibers that align with Marathon’s longstanding preference for reliability and serviceability over novelty.
We’ve reviewed one of Marathon’s TSAR models in the past, which sits lower in the catalog and speaks more to the accessible end of the brand. This Anthracite release feels positioned at a more elevated tier. The look is serious, overtly tactical, and very deliberate. Personally, I’m drawn to the 41mm GSAR as the most balanced of the group, especially given how wearable that case size tends to be across different wrists.
I do have to admit that the pricing caught my attention. In the $1,900 to $3,750 range, there’s no shortage of compelling dive watches. Anyone considering one of these will likely be doing so because they genuinely connect with Marathon’s design language, its military lineage, and the tritium-forward execution. This is a category where brand loyalty and aesthetic preference carry real weight.
Still, as a release, it’s hard to ignore. The materials are strong, the specs are consistent with the SAR’s professional roots, and the availability of three distinct sizes broadens the appeal considerably. For collectors who appreciate Marathon’s tool-driven philosophy and want that formula in a darker, more tactical expression, the Anthracite SAR lineup adds a new dimension to an already established platform.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.
I enjoyed an older TSAR from Marathon, it was on the factory SS bracelet and never let me down. A tool watch that was honest about it’s intentions and execution.
Sadly Marathons have experienced a substantial price hike and IMO it’s not warranted, the product has not changed much (if at all) and they seem to be cashing in on the name.
Too bad this version is very tempting in the GSAR configuration but I do wish it came on a black SS bracelet instead of the current strap.