For its newest launch of 2024, Marathon has partnered with the American automotive model Jeep to create a capsule assortment of 4 watches that mix two of Marathon’s hottest collections with design particulars from well-known Jeep automobiles. Whereas the 2 fashions from the Basic Goal (GP) Officer’s Collection are impressed by the Jeep Willys-Overland (which was utilized by U.S. troops throughout World Conflict II), the pair of Search and Rescue (SAR) Collection watches are primarily based upon the Rubicon Wrangler, and patrons have the choice of both quartz or automated actions.
The 2 fashions from the Marathon Basic Goal (GP) Officer’s Collection which might be impressed by the Jeep Willys-Overland are the SSGPQ (ref. WW194034SS-4001) and the SSGPM (ref. WW194033SS-4001), with the important thing distinction between the 2 watches being the actions used to energy them. Whereas the SSGPQ options the Swiss-made ETA F06.402 quartz motion that features each HeavyDrive and PreciDrive applied sciences for superior accuracy and shock resistance, the SSGPM runs on the manually-would Sellita SW210-1, which operates at a frequency of 28,800vph (4 Hz) with an influence reserve of roughly 42 hours.
Other than their actions, the 2 Marathon x Jeep Basic Goal Officer’s Collection watches are largely an identical, and each fashions characteristic 316L stainless-steel circumstances with a matte parkerized end to scale back reflections and improve their corrosion resistance. By way of their dimensions, each quartz and mechanical variations of the Willys-inspired Marathon Basic Goal Officer’s Collection measure 41mm in diameter by 11mm thick, with drilled 20mm lugs and an general lug-to-lug profile of 48mm. Equally, each fashions obtain sapphire crystals defending their dials, push/pull-style crowns at 3 o’clock, 50 meters of water resistance, and stable casebacks, with the quartz model together with a user-accessible battery hatch.
Because the key distinction between the 2 Marathon x Jeep Basic Goal Officer’s Collection watches is their inside actions, each fashions are fitted with the identical type of matte-black time-only dial, which gives a modernized tackle what could be discovered inside the unique Marathon watches that had been issued to troops throughout World Conflict II. Fairly than utilizing radioactive tritium tubes like most Marathon fashions, the pair of latest Basic Goal Officer’s Collection watches have the model’s photo-reactive MaraGlo luminous materials utilized to their arms and Arabic numeral hour markers. Moreover, each new Jeep-inspired fashions characteristic vibrant purple centrally mounted seconds arms, and each variations are accomplished by medium brown straps constituted of Loopy Horse leather-based.
The opposite two new fashions which might be a part of Marathon’s collaboration with Jeep are each primarily based on the model’s Search and Rescue (SAR) Collection of divers and much like the pair of Basic Goal Officer’s Collection fashions, the Rubicon-themed duo of Marathon SAR watches can be found with the choice of both quartz or mechanical actions. Whereas the TSAR (ref. WW194007SS-4101) runs on the ETA F06.412 quartz motion with each HeavyDrive and PreciDrive applied sciences, the GSAR (ref. WW194006SS-4101) is powered by the Swiss Sellita SW200-1 automated motion, which gives the identical specs because the manual-wind caliber discovered contained in the mechanical Basic Goal Officer’s Collection mannequin with an working frequency of 28,800vph and a 42-hour energy reserve.
Each of the Marathon x Jeep Search and Rescue (SAR) Collection watches characteristic brushed 316L stainless-steel circumstances that measure 41mm in diameter by 14mm thick, with drilled lugs which might be set 20mm aside and lengthen to create an general lug-to-lug profile of 48mm. Moreover, each fashions have flat sapphire crystals surrounded by the SAR assortment’s signature outsized 120-click rotating timing bezel, together with stable screw-down casebacks and 300 meters of water resistance. To additional lean into their Jeep Rubicon Wrangler design inspiration, each GSAR and TSAR variations characteristic engravings on the 9 o’clock aspect of their circumstances that depict the long-lasting seven-slot Jeep grille, whereas their knurled screw-down crowns at 3 o’clock are signed with the Willys star emblem.
Other than having barely completely different textual content regarding their actions, each Marathon x Jeep Search and Rescue (SAR) Collection watches have dials that provide the identical general look with a matte black floor, date home windows at 4:30, and purple sections spanning the primary quarter-hour, that are impressed by the “purple line” indicator discovered on the dashboard of the Jeep Wrangler 1941 Restricted Version. Whereas the arms and indexes all characteristic Marathon’s ordinary luminescent tritium tubes, the tan-colored Arabic numerals and “Jeep” brand are each completed with the model’s photo-reactive MaraGlo materials, and the entire varied luminous parts emit a green-colored glow at the hours of darkness with the one exception being the orange tritium tube that’s positioned on the 12 o’clock location. Lastly, each of the brand new Marathon x Jeep Search and Rescue (SAR) Collection fashions are accomplished by rubber straps in an OD inexperienced shade to additional lean into their navy automobile inspiration.
Collaborations between watch manufacturers and vehicles are hardly a brand new idea, though the longstanding navy ties of each Marathon and Jeep make this an particularly pure partnership. Moreover, whereas we the trade has largely change into accustomed to co-branded watches costing barely greater than their standard-production counterparts, the Marathon x Jeep collaboration fashions are priced identically to their core-collection siblings. Consequently, the quartz Basic Goal Officer’s Collection SSGPQ prices $500 USD, whereas the mechanical SSGPQ is priced at $650 USD. In the meantime, the quartz TSAR Search and Rescue Collection is available in at $1,200 USD, and the automated GSAR prices $1,500 USD. As somebody who isn’t a Jeep fanatic, my private alternative would nonetheless be one of many model’s basic general-production fashions, though I nonetheless love seeing Marathon department out a bit and create a group of thematic collaboration items that also feels true to the model’s utilitarian and military-focused id. For extra data on the Marathon x Jeep watch assortment, please go to the model’s web site.