My Watches

I've been meaning to write up a watch stud-board post for a while now. I have 3 watches that I wear regularly, a Marathon TSAR, a Traser H3, and a Casio G-Shock. All have positives and negatives and this be helpful to some of you if you are considering any of these. I'll start with the oldest first.




Model: Traser H3

Features: Tritium inserts on hour and minute hands, above each numeral, and on the rotating
bezel. Bezel adjustable in 1 minute clicks. Date window at 3 o'clock.

Price Paid: $125 (Purchased Dec 2004)

Positives:
- Bright tritium inserts - great when camping.
- Acceptable accuracy - loses about 2 seconds per month.
- Lightweight

Negatives:
- Broke one of the plungers twice, the first time overseas (India). Thankfully a coworker
found a local jeweler who could fix it.
- Numbers wearing off of bezel - this seemed to be caused by high-deet bug spray.
- Dead battery after 2.5 years.
- Scratched crystal in first year.
- Fit and finish not up to the level of the Marathon.
- Crown does not screw down.

Comments:
This was my daily watch until I got the Marathon. I'll wear this only occasionally now.




Model: Casio G-Shock

Features: Solar battery, waterproof, stopwatch, multiple time zones, backlight.

Price Paid: $60 (approx - gift Dec 2005)

Positives:
- Rugged. I can bang the shit out of this watch.
- Value for the price.

Negatives:
- Accuracy - loses about 2 seconds per week.
- Bulky - this is a BIG watch.

Comments:
I typically wear this when hiking, shooting, swimming, doing work around the house or any other physical activity.





Model: Marathon T-SAR

Features: Tritium inserts on hour and minute hands, above each numeral, and on the rotating
bezel. Bezel adjustable in quarter minute clicks. Date window between 4 and 5 o'clock. Screw down crown.

Price Paid: $325 (purchased used 2007) Retails for about $600 with the metal band.

Positives:
- Accurate. I've had it a month and it has not lost any time yet.
- Attractive. The fit and finish on this watch is exceptional.

Negatives:
- Heavier than my other watches.

Comments:
I now wear this daily for work.



I used www.time.gov to test accuracy. I typically check my watches once a month or so and reset them as appropriate. If I could only afford one watch, I would buy the Casio G-Shock. This is a go-anywhere watch. I would pass on the Traser. The Marathon is a beautiful well-made timepiece and IMO is worth the $600+ new (with metal band). I am not in the position to invest in a Rolex or Omega, so it will suit sme fine.