Marathon SAR Custom

[Dan Pierce]

Ok sports fans, here ya' go.
2006 contract Marathon SAR w/ custom 12 hour bezel. Always loved the rugged SAR series of watches and wanted to get another after giving my first to my son.
-Watch, 41mm excluding crown. Large screw down barrel crown w/ guards.
-Dial, flat black w/ Maraglo [superluminova] hour markers and minute ring.
-Bezel, thick unidirectional, 120 click, with custom 12 hour insert fabricated by Jim Madrid, original designer of the SAR bezel.
-Bracelet, SEL's, thick, solid link oyster style w/ double screw barrel link pins and safety clasp w/ US Dept. of Defense etched seal.
This watch is built like a tank and will make a perfect beater for travel. Took it to my watchmaker for a quick regulation and so far it's running spot on. IMHO the Marathon SAR makes for a great value.
Hope you enjoy
dP

[WatchTimes]

Very nice!
I really like the 24 hr bezel on it!

Wish that was an option :(

You lucky dog finding one!

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by JYogi

Very nice!
I really like the 24 hr bezel on it!

Wish that was an option :(

You lucky dog finding one!

Thanks, Jeremy. Luck is right. I was working on my son's SAR, reminiscing how much I missed it, when I stumbled across the limited run of 12 hour inserts available. I asked my son if he was interested but he said he liked the original better. So I thought it was a good enough reason to get another SAR.
dP

[asadtiger]

really you are very lucky to be able to find one..its a very rugged and beautiful watch..well sought after by sports enthusiasts like me :)...great purchase.

[asadtiger]

hey Dan where did you find this...I'd be very interested in one.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by asadtiger

hey Dan where did you find this...I'd be very interested in one.

You can find Marathon Sar watches at Westcoastime [great service from Howard], Countycom, and Broad Arrow. Jim Madrid, who made the 12 hour inserts can be reached @ [email protected] . Not sure if he has any inserts left. They sell for $75.00 us. Installing the insert is a hole nother story.
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[toph]

look great
enjoy Dan

[buz-lh]

That's a rugged looking watch Dan. If you go back to the Caribbean during hurricane season that's definitely the one to take.

[mailman]

Congrats Dan That's a great watch. It's unique also

[Dan Pierce]

Thanks, everybody!
dP

[Jedi]

It's all your fault Dan... my whole morning's been spent surfing all the sites on the MArathon SAR and consequently, my credit card will take another unanticipated pounding.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Jedi

It's all your fault Dan... my whole morning's been spent surfing all the sites on the MArathon SAR and consequently, my credit card will take another unanticipated pounding.

Sorry, Lee. Just doing what's been done to me.
dP

[WatchTimes]

How did you get the new insert in??

[Alcan]

Lookin' good, Dan!

I've already emailled Jim to see if he has any left. Would love to have one on my SAR.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Alcan

Lookin' good, Dan!

I've already emailled Jim to see if he has any left. Would love to have one on my SAR.

Thanks, Al. Hope you can snag one.
dP

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by JYogi

How did you get the new insert in??

Hope you're sitting down...........................
At first I was going to send it to Jack who does all Marathon warranty work at Industrial Watch Works. He was extremely helpful and generous with his time and knowledge. Jack advised the 120 click bezel was tougher than the 60 and there was a chance [about 10%] that the bezel could not be removed. In that case, he would have to [if you requested, of course] drill thru the original insert to remove it from the channel where it's set with clear double sided tape. It held the insert pretty good too.
If the bezel can be removed it must be drilled from underneath to access the insert. I didn't like the idea of drilling thru the bezel, I was never gonna use the original insert, and I use the 12 hour bezel regularly.
After some thought I decided to remove the original insert myself by drilling a small hole thru from the top with my Dremel. I used a spring bar pin remover to lift a section of the insert via the hole, then inserted a watchmakers blade and pryed the insert loose from the clear tape. The remaining tape was removed from the channel, new double sided tape was installed on the bottom of the insert, then lined up and set in place with a small piece of wax paper at 6:00 just in case I had pull up to realign.
Or,...................you can send it to Jack and have him do the work.
dP

[asadtiger]

I did send a mail to broad arrow and never even got a reply :(..most sites seem to have no longer the specific version I am so looking arouind for but I'll keep trying..you lucky man, DAN

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by asadtiger

I did send a mail to broad arrow and never even got a reply :(..most sites seem to have no longer the specific version I am so looking arouind for but I'll keep trying..you lucky man, DAN

Asad,
Try Westcoastime.com. I've purchased 2 watches from him and his service is reliable and fast.
Good luck,
dP

[CPTL]

Dan, that's a harrowing tale of watch home-repair. Congrats on the new Marathon, though--it looks great!

I love mine, and I love the rubber strap. I always think it's silly to keep this one, since I wear my Sub as a beater, but I just can't bring myself to sell it.

[Dan Pierce]

Kevin,
Harrowing is right. It was a weird feeling as I lowered the drill and then saw the second hand moving. Like preforming surgery on a patient without putting them under first. I took my time and it all worked out well.
I always regretted not having a SAR in the collection. So all is well now.
Thanks for the kind words,
dP

[AustinOX]

Is the insert from Jim Madrid made from plastic or PVD steel?

Thanks,
Austin

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by AustinOX

Is the insert from Jim Madrid made from plastic or PVD steel?

Thanks,
Austin

Anodized aluminum.
dP

[Ultraman]

Ahh..Dan!!

your pics made me want a SAR so bad!!!

[Dr.B]

Dan, you are killing me!
Don't you know I have nightmares trying to decide about these watches......
Marathon SAR vs. CSAR vs....etc...etc.

[greekbum]

I have owned 2 CSAR's and a few SAR's I have always felt that the weak link in the watches was the bezel insert.The OEM is not a good 1 and damages easily.The triangle fell out of 1 in my CSAR after a few months. IMHO the CSAR is 1 very over priced watch for what it is.Here is a picture of 1 I had .They are sold as TOOL watches but until they fix the weak bezel inserts I would look at Sinn or other makers.

[Dr.B]

Thanks Nikos for the advice.

[Dan Pierce]

Sorry to hear that, Nikos. I don't baby mine and never had a problem.
dP