The brand Marathon might be new to some, but not to Canadians, Americans, and especially military watch fanatics like us. Among seasoned collectors, it's recognized as one of the few brands that still officially supplies no-frills, purpose-built timepieces to military forces. For over 70 years, Marathon has proudly served the United States and Canadian armies, earning a reputation for field-ready reliability. Its origins trace back to 1904, when it was founded as Weinsturm Watch, later evolving into Wein Brothers. In 1939, Morris Wein officially established Marathon Watch, building on decades of expertise to supply precision timepieces across North America. Just two years later, in 1941, Marathon began producing timing instruments for the Allied Forces during World War II, marking the start of its enduring commitment to military-grade performance. Today, the fourth generation of the Wein family continues this legacy, crafting a range of instruments that measure not only time, but also temperature and distanceremaining true to its roots by combining rugged durability with the precision of Swiss engineering and craftsmanship.

Now, for the first time in its storied history, Marathon is adding a bold new chapter. Say hello to a splash of colour on their purpose-built military watches: the "Blue Yonder". It is a daring yet respectful evolution, introducing vibrancy while upholding the DNA of a watch built for action. A striking new look, without ever compromising on what Marathon stands for.

Marathon's entry into the navigator watch realm began with their adherence to the MIL-PRF-46374G specifications, producing watches for the U.S. Army that have remained in service through several revisions. These specifications, among the longest-running required by the U.S. government, demanded robust features: a rotating bezel with an elapsed time ring, an electrical quartz movement with exceptional battery life, resistance to magnetic fields, water, corrosion, and high altitudes, along with a nylon strap and tritium illumination that glows for over eight hours in total darkness. The distinctive asymmetrical case and military 24-hour dial became hallmarks of military-issue watches in the 1970s, as seen in the MIL-W-50717 mil-spec models that Marathon continues to honor today.

Although the Wein family had them first made in stainless steel case, the ones that were supplied to the Air Force Base were actually made out of fibre shell high impact case with a steel back, allowing to be durable while staying lightweight. Also, the material choice has had helped the government to keep their pricing low without compromising Marathon's strength in military watchmaking. Since then, both the military and now the watch civilian markets have received the iconic Navigator in that lightweight material, until now. The all-new Pilot's Navigator Stainless Steel Quartz finally comes in full stainless steel material, just like the very first Navigator that Marathon had made prior to the government's contract.

The Steel Navigator Series is built with enhanced engineering to meet the needs of modern pilots. Improved impact resistance and altitude rating, highly reliable Swiss-precision, and an all-around more comfortable wear all combine to create a tool watch worthy of the military elite.

The Pilot's Navigator Stainless Steel Blue Yonder Quartz sets forth as an excellent tool watch with a unique personality. It starts with its unique case shape entirely made with 316L stainless steel, that measures 41mm wide, with a height of just 11mm thick and 48mm lug to lug. Further, the finishing of the bi-directional 12hr GMT bezel gets a totally excited dark blue steel insert, with a 12-hour marking specifically designed for the pilots. The matte case pays tribute to the original MIL-W-50717 mil-spec with matte finishing that also serves to be anti-corrosion. The dimension of the timepiece stays true to military watches of yesteryears, which enables one to feel its sturdiness and with all sense of purpose, to be out in the field.

Moving to the case profile, the Pilot's Navigator Stainless Steel Blue Yonder Quartz has from a sleek and a sense of masculine attractiveness to it to its unique bold case design that you do not see much in the market. The case has an asymmetrical shape, where it gives full crown guard architecture, from the lug sides on the right to the screw-down crown in which grants a proper 100m water-resistant. This in which allows one to feel the case has a wider side from the other, which made it a pretty darn cool and tactical feel. When the watch viewed from the front, it lets off only as a no-frill tool watch, only to be complemented by its short lugs and hour bezel. However, when one views it from the top, it is where it shines with its unique case profile, with the lugs streamline together as a whole with its masculine yet unique side profile. This results in a striking silhouette, letting the wearer feel substantial with its asymmetrical case.

Its L-shaped lugs are flushed together with the overall case, and further features the drilled lug holes to allow easy strap change. Flipping it over, we get the case-back, allowing it to withstand high altitude 35000 ft that satisfy military-specifications. Right on the case-back, we understand the essential government markings and specifications engraved. These provide credentials on the Pilot's Navigator Stainless Steel Blue Yonder Quartz as manufactured following US Government specification. All that said, we assure it is safe to say that both us watch collectors and the US military for use in operations.

As you'd expect from a tribute to the first Navigator watch, the matte blue dial is built with all the right elements to honor its heritage. Beneath the flat sapphire crystal, Marathon equips the dial with tritium gas tubes combined with its proprietary MaraGlo technology. A total of 14 encapsulated tritium tubes (Isotope H3) are applied to the hour markers and syringe-style hands, ensuring maximum legibility even in complete darkness for over 24 hours. This setup delivers a constant glow, eliminating the need for external light sources like conventional Super-LumiNova. The dial features circular hour markers placed just beneath the tritium tubes, set slightly inboard for easy legibility. Additional markings include the "H3" designation and the radiation hazard emblem, clearly indicating the presence of tritium gas. Even the date window, discreetly positioned between 4 and 5 o'clock, is easy to spot at a glance. Everything about the Pilot's Navigator Stainless Steel Blue Yonder Quartz is designed for clarity, performance, and purpose.

This timepiece is powered by a Swiss high-torque ETA Quartz movement that is accurate to -0.3/ 0.5 seconds per day. This ETA F6 calibre also has an End of Life (EOL) indicator that will advance the seconds hand once every 4 seconds to inform users when a battery change of a 371 cell is needed. Furthermore, the movement is built with a shock-resistant hacking mechanism. Hence, with lesser mechanical components than its contemporaries, the reliability of this quartz watch has been proven throughout its years in the field.

Attached to the Pilot's Navigator is a new 20mm high-quality vulcanized rubber strap, now presented in a striking blue colourway to complement the overall theme. Featuring a "Marathon" pattern on the inside, the strap is manufactured in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and crafted from FKM rubber to meet the rigorous demands of high-performance military applications. The satin-finished buckle is sharply executed, with well-defined facets that add to its refined yet functional look. Paired with this premium strap, the watch takes on an even more adventurous character, enhancing its overall sportiness and rugged appeal.

Marathon products are crafted with exceptional care and undergo rigorous quality control to meet the highest standards. This commitment is clear in the Pilot's Navigator Stainless Steel Blue Yonder Quartz, a limited edition of just 500 pieces that blends military-grade toughness with refined Swiss craftsmanship. Powered by a reliable Swiss quartz movement, it stands out in a crowded field of military-style tool watchesfew of which can claim official U.S. Government approval like Marathon. The Blue Yonder is especially collectible as the brand's first model to boldly introduce color, marking a historic shift for a company known for its utilitarian designs. This milestone piece ushers in a vibrant new chapter without sacrificing function or heritage. Purpose-built in every detail, the Blue Yonder offers exceptional value for collectors who seek authenticity, legacy, and a watch that dares to break the mold.