Marathon doesn’t do “pretty.” Their watches—long a collectors’ favorite—are built for tough situations like search and rescue operations or intense games of Settlers of Catan. That’s why I like the 46mm CSAR so much. It pulls no punches and will definitely trade your sheep for brick.
The 46mm watch runs an ETA Valjoux 7750 with an Incabloc shock absorber and day/date chronograph movement. It features a screw-down crown and screw-down pushers, and its 17.5mm-thick case is about as chunky as a Swiss Army knife. In short, it’s a big hunk of metal that looks great.
The watch features Marathon’s standard tritium gas tubes on the hour and minute hands, with traditional lume on the pips, chronograph registers, and bezel pip. The lume is impressively bright, making the watch easy to read in the dark.
The watch I tested comes on a rubber strap and is priced at a fairly heady $4,500.00. The steel band costs $4,900 and I’d say it would be a nice upgrade even though Marathon’s rubber bands are great. The question, then, is this Swiss Made Valjoux chronograph worth all that dosh?
The Bottom Line
First off, this watch is very wearable. At 46mm, it’s definitely a beast, but it’s surprisingly light. Even on a smaller wrist, it doesn’t feel overwhelming. The whole package is striking—bold hands, a clean face, and a sharp steel case. It’s extremely legible, light on the wrist, and genuinely fun to wear.
Now for the harder question: is it worth $4,900 on steel? I’ll come at this from a few angles, starting with provenance.
Marathon has been building watches for almost a century, with a focus on rugged, purpose-built tools. I’m not a fan of their quartz models, but their automatics are tough, well-finished, and built to take a serious beating. Think of them like Fortis—focused and consistent—but I’d argue more durable. So if you’re thinking about resale or long-term value, Marathon tends to hold steady. You won’t see a huge spike, but you’re also not going to see a steep drop.
In terms of value, you’re getting a lot. Comparable Valjoux chronographs can run $6,000 to $10,000, and this lands in a sweet spot that’s hard to beat. I recently picked up a 41mm SAR three-hander with my own money, and it gets plenty of wrist time. If I had the CSAR, it would absolutely be in the daily rotation.
Marathon is a small brand that deserves support. Sure, you could get a used Speedmaster at this price, but I doubt you’d enjoy it as much. And let’s be honest—where else are you going to find a caseback that looks like it was ripped off the side of a nuclear missile?
Our advice? If you’re on the fence, give Marathon a try. I doubt you’ll be disappointed.
Specs
Movement: ETA Valjoux 7750 with Incabloc Shock Absorber
No of Jewels: 25
Scale Quantity: 2
Scale Range: 1-12 (13-24)
Calendar Type: Day & Date
Luminous Features: Tritium Gas Tubes and MaraGlo
Crystal Material: Sapphire
Crown Type: Screw-Down
Case Material: 316L Stainless Steel
Case Finish: Brushed
Bezel Type: Uni-Directional
Bezel Scale: 60 Minute
Submersibility: 30 ATM
