Marathon
Toronto, Canada · Est. 1939
Founded by Morris Wein
Marathon Watch Company is a Canadian brand founded in 1939 that has been certified by the US Military to supply watches to the armed forces for over 75 years. Known for rugged tool watches meeting MILSPEC standards, Marathon produces the Official US Military Issued GSAR search and rescue watch and the Navigator's watch.
- Founded
- 1939
- Headquarters
- Toronto, Canada
- Group
- Independent
- Price Segment
- Entry
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- GSAR (Government Search and Rescue) — Marathon's most recognised model — the official U.S. Military-issued search and rescue watch, built to full MIL-SPEC standards with tritium illumination and exceptional durability.
- Navigator — A purpose-built pilot's watch meeting military navigation requirements, featuring a large, highly legible dial and robust construction for field use.
- Anthracite SAR Unit — A tactical variant of the GSAR finished in black IP-armoured stainless steel, available in 36mm, 41mm and 46mm to cover every mission profile.
Timeline
- 1939 — Marathon Watch Company is founded in Canada with a mandate to supply precision timing instruments to military and government clients.
- 1941 — Marathon begins manufacturing timing instruments for the world's armed forces, establishing a military heritage that would define the brand for decades.
- 1970 — Marathon becomes a certified supplier to the U.S. Military, initiating a relationship that has continued for over 75 years.
- 2000 — The GSAR (Government Search and Rescue) watch is developed and adopted as the official U.S. Military-issued search and rescue timepiece, meeting the most demanding MIL-SPEC standards.
- 2023 — Marathon expands the Anthracite SAR Unit line to include 36mm and 46mm variants alongside the established 41mm, offering mission-ready watches across a broader size range.
- 2025 — Releases the CSAR Arctic Edition 41mm in white dial with orange accents, and secures renewed contracts to supply military-spec timepieces to NATO forces.
Frequently Asked Questions about Marathon
- Is Marathon Watch Company truly used by the military?
- Yes. Marathon has been certified as a supplier to the U.S. Armed Forces for over 75 years and currently produces the official U.S. Military-issued GSAR search and rescue watch, built to stringent MIL-SPEC standards.
- Where are Marathon watches made?
- Marathon watches are designed in Canada and Swiss-made in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland — combining Canadian design heritage with the precision of Switzerland's watchmaking capital.