Marathon Navigator Watch - Waterproofness?

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Jun 27, 2004
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468
I know it's not a dive watch, I already have one of those anyway. But how waterproof is the Marathon Navigator?? Shower-worthy?? Can I swim in it?? I noticed there's no screwdown stem, which I'm used to in a waterproof watch, but I want to know what it can take without damage. .
 
Minjin said:

From the above website: "MARATHON WATCH IS CURRENTLY ONLY MANUFACTURER
OF U.S. MILITARY WATCHES.

When the Government Buys Watches, They Specify Marathon. Absolutely Nothing Else."

:footinmou :rolleyes: :barf: One hell of statement--even have an official qualified products list for a wristwatch. I REALLY hate it when people (NOT you Minjin) :) take things out of context.

As far as the original question, I believe the Navigators are water resistant to 100 meters. That being said, I have swam with mine (watch gurus would--most likely--cringe at the thought). Showers, definitely have had no problem. The watch is not super robust (like a G-Shock), but I've worn mine on and off for several years now without "babying" it.

FWIW,
Glenmore
 
They're rated to 6 bar (196ft). Thats the only reason I posted the link, because it says the rating. And being a military item, I'd trust that rating. Whereas some junk watches with 50m ratings, I wouldn't even trust to shower with.

And yes, I've showed with my Marathon Navigator. All good so far. :)

Mark
 
Hi All-

Please excuse my shouting but, NEVER WEAR A WATCH IN THE SHOWER, regardless of waterproof rating.

The combination of extreme temperature change, steam, and surfactant action of soaps & detergents are damaging to the waterproof seals. Suffice it to say that a single hot shower is much more brutal treatment than an entire week of scuba diving and snorkeling. Do not bring a watch into a steam-filled bathroom...leave it in another room.

After using a watch in saltwater, simply rinse it under fresh tepid water and use an old toothbrush to loosen any remaining grit. If you've been sweating and the watch literally stinks, use a tiny dab of mild, non-detergent cleanser and rinse it off as quickly as possible. Do not rub sand from a dry watch or you could scratch it.

Treat your watches to simple basic maintenance along with with the common sense and respect they deserve, and they'll provide decades of service. Good luck with your Marathon watches.

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Well, I don't actually wear my watches in the shower. I put them on the soap tray so I can watch the time when I'm showering and in a hurry. :p

Mark
 
The running joke is, if your pilots watch is under water, telling time ain't your biggest concern...
 
Well, without thinking I dipped my watch arm into the pool and the watch got all wet, and it's still running. So far, so good. I figured a watch with military specifications that said it was water resistant probably would be, but I thought I'd ask and see if anybody had personal experience with it. Thanks, guys. .
 
Hi ACMarina-

Using a diving watch in a lake, swimming pool, or ocean is perfectly within its design parameters. Have no fear wearing it in the pool. Even saltwater won't have a deleterious effect on a properly-rated watch as long as it is rinsed from the watch with fresh water. Water-resistance (WR) ratings are typically found on the caseback and are usually measured in meters.

Things like steamrooms, saunas, cold plunges, and hot showers are what can kill even the highest-quality watches. The radical temperature changes cause metal to expand and contract, along with the seals that are supposed to prevent moisture entry. Coupled with the chemical action of harsh soaps and detergents these seals become dry and brittle, preventing them from doing their job properly.

Modern watches are extremely durable and virtually maintenance-free, but one wouldn't want to intentionally expose them to environments that could cause problems.

Enjoy your new timepiece!

~ Blue Jays ~
 
That's the thing that kinda threw me, Blue Jays. I'm a diver and have a dive watch, and it's literally been in everything from snow to steam, 35,000' in the air to 135' under the sea. It's crazy what all this watch has done. And when I see something about water, I tend to think of this watch. So when the tritium bug bit and I got this Marathon Navigator, I noticed that a lot of the "dive" stuff isn't there, no screw down caseback, no screw-in crown, etc. It kinda scared me; on one hand, the military specifications say that it's okay to 6 ATM or whatever, and they would probably require that to be true. OTOH, I just dropped a decent chunk of change on a watch and don't want to destroy it by doing anything crazy. Like you said, I'm not going to wear it in the steam room, but it should be okay in the pool, I think. I'll just stay out of the diving well. .
 
Hi ACMarina-

Yes, the occasional dunking won't hurt your Marathon Navigator watch. A rating of 6ATM is equivalent to just about 200 feet depth...unless you've got some really deep pools in your neck of the woods!

I agree that the features you mentioned (screwdown caseback, crown, pushpieces) are almost always present on a watch designed for deepwater use. On the other hand, they're not mandated for watches not subjected to such extremes. As an example, my IWC Portugieser 3714 is rated to 30 meters, and does not have any of those features. I elect not to expose this watch to tough conditions. It doesn't even get dunked in the kitchen sink.

On the other hand, my Omega Seamaster or Fortis B-42 gladly accept this punishment...but they don't look as good with dress clothes. :) With moderate care, that watch of yours should last a long, long time.

~ Blue Jays ~
 
Blue Jays said:
Hi All-

Please excuse my shouting but, NEVER WEAR A WATCH IN THE SHOWER, regardless of waterproof rating.

You DID shout :p As far as the watch in the shower...depends on how much risk I'm willing to assume (no amount of shouting is going to change that...it's a personal choice--but thanks for making it an educated-or "un" in my case-choice;)). Most of my watches I'm willing to accept/assume the risk, some I'm not (in particular my Omega X-33 and several cheaper "dress" watches). Otherwise, I'm user whore :D

Glenmore
 
I've showered, washed parts in a parts washer, went swimming, etc, etc with my G-Shock on and it still gets the time every night and charges fine. Wonder how much time it's got left :(
 
Hi ssblood-

No problem at all. When you replace the battery, simply take it to a jeweler so they can examine the seals and replace if necessary. Steam and surfactants are the enemy of watches, so you'll want to avoid them when possible.

Don't fret at all about what has been done in the past. A quartz watch isn't as sensitive, but I know many firearms enthusiasts put their mechanical watches in their pockets if shooting big-bore handguns.

~ Blue Jays ~
 
I have yet to find a jeweler or anyone that stocks Casio seals for the watches. I have only been able to find Casio brand replacement straps on line.

Of course I have had batteries replaced in several and only got condensation in one due to the seal not being changed.
 
Well, it's one of those G-shocks that is solar so it will never need a battery. The rate I have been going with it I've had it about 15 months so far and its in pretty rough shape. I didn't have long gloves on a couple weeks back and sprayed it while using a plasma cutter. It has pitting in the face now:\ Starting to think about replacing it with the same model or checking to see what else casio has put out. I remember something about a frogman or something of the sort :)
 
13 YEARS LATER!
How are all your watches holding up? Didn't the Marathons ever leak? And dead GShocks?
I am curious about water resistance longevity. Has anyone actually had their seals replaced?

I have a few watches that are 5 years old and I am not to concerned about but I also have a Marathon dating back to the gulf war. After 26 years I think all bets are off. Bringing it to get tested.
 
From the above website: "MARATHON WATCH IS CURRENTLY ONLY MANUFACTURER
OF U.S. MILITARY WATCHES.

When the Government Buys Watches, They Specify Marathon. Absolutely Nothing Else."

:footinmou :rolleyes: :barf: One hell of statement--even have an official qualified products list for a wristwatch. I REALLY hate it when people (NOT you Minjin) :) take things out of context.
Many watches have NSNs. The last unit I was in that issued watches issued Casios and Suunto (and that was 13 years ago so contemporaneous with this necro thread). Each had an NSN.
 
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I will add that I wore a Momo Chrono a and Citizen Solar pilot watches daily in the shower from about 1990 to 2010 with the typical Dial soap and never had an issue. Only when i started buying pricey or vintage watches and started reading forums did I stop wearing on the shower or pool and start worrying a 60m or 100m watch might fail in the shower.

I suppose dropping a mechanical on the floor for a $300 repair bill taught me something but then again maybe ignorance is bliss. If my $500 or even $5000 tool watches can’t handle the daily abuse of an land-lover nonWIS then they are GROSSLY overpriced!
 
From the above website: "MARATHON WATCH IS CURRENTLY ONLY MANUFACTURER
OF U.S. MILITARY WATCHES.

When the Government Buys Watches, They Specify Marathon. Absolutely Nothing Else."

:footinmou :rolleyes: :barf: One hell of statement--even have an official qualified products list for a wristwatch. I REALLY hate it when people (NOT you Minjin) :) take things out of context.

As far as the original question, I believe the Navigators are water resistant to 100 meters. That being said, I have swam with mine (watch gurus would--most likely--cringe at the thought). Showers, definitely have had no problem. The watch is not super robust (like a G-Shock), but I've worn mine on and off for several years now without "babying" it.

FWIW,
Glenmore

Yup. Many, if not most, government provided watches (for those outfits that actually provide watches) are any of a number of G Shocks. Regardless of whether a unit issued watch is a G Shock or a Marathon, they are still COTS (commercial-off-the-shelf) items locally (unit level) acquired. So he "absolutely nothing else" is just BS.
 
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