Marathon’s new OSAR-D (Original Search and Rescue with Date) takes a watch originally built for Canadian SAR techs and updates it without losing the core of what made the original great. This isn’t a full reinvention — it’s a respectful, tactical evolution of the early 2000s SAR-D, designed for professionals who needed fast readability, serious durability, and mission-ready reliability. The OSAR-D delivers on all three.
Case & Build
The 41mm case hits a sweet spot. Not oversized, not dainty, just a solid, brushed 316L stainless steel tool case. The screw-down crown, unidirectional bezel, and 300-meter water resistance (30 ATM) all serve the same purpose: you can beat this thing up, get it wet, drop it, and it won’t flinch. The bezel action is crisp, the machining is tight, and the overall feel is that of a real-world tool, not a design exercise.
Dial & Visibility
The mil-spec Type I dial remains mostly intact, with fully lumed geometric indices that stand out in low light and underwater. Where Marathon improved things is with their upgraded MaraGlo lume — it’s bright, clean, and lasts. The cyclops magnifier is better than the original, too. The 1.5x bump gives the date a little more presence without distorting it into unreadability. This is a watch that puts legibility first, even more than aesthetics, and that’s the point.
Movement & Function
Inside, you’ll find a Sellita SW200-1, a 26-jewel automatic movement that’s a solid workhorse with hacking and hand-winding. Marathon adds an Incabloc shock absorber, a nod to the kind of abuse this watch is built to take. For folks worried about reliability in the field, this is a welcome inclusion.
Bracelet & Fit
It ships on a stainless steel bracelet, also rugged and purpose-built. It’s not flashy — just well-machined and substantial enough to balance the head of the watch. Swapping it out for a NATO or rubber strap would work too, but it’s good to see the steel bracelet included by default.
Final Thoughts
The OSAR-D doesn’t try to be something it’s not. It stays true to its origins as a professional tool watch while refining the weak spots of the original. If you want something that looks tactical but isn’t built like a toy, this is it. No ceramic bezels, no skeleton dials, no fluff. Just brushed steel, clean lines, and purpose-driven design.
It’s a real tool, built for people who actually need their gear to work. And it looks damn good doing it.
