Pilot’s Navigator Stainless Steel Vintage Automatic - Ballistic Nylon - Ltd Ed 100pcs Ref. WW194029SS

The name Marathon might be unfamiliar to some, but for Canadians, Americans, and military watch enthusiasts like us, it’s a revered icon. Known among collectors as one of the few brands still producing no-nonsense, officially issued timepieces for the military, Marathon has been serving the United States and Canadian armed forces for over 70 years. A little history: the company began in 1904 as Weinsturm Watch, later becoming Wein Brothers. In 1939, Morris Wein established Marathon Watch, providing precision timepieces across North America. By 1941, Marathon was manufacturing timing instruments for Allied Forces, a legacy now upheld by the fourth generation of the Wein family. Today, Marathon continues to merge military-grade durability with Swiss engineering, crafting instruments that epitomize quality and precision. This heritage is brilliantly reflected in their interpretation of the 1960s MIL-PRF-46374G military watch. Marathon Pilot’s Navigator Stainless Steel Vintage Automatic - Ballistic Nylon - Ltd Ed 100pcs Ref. WW194029SS In 2024, Gnomon Watches proudly teamed up with Marathon and the esteemed Wein family to reimagine their iconic Navigator series. The outcome? A remarkable vintage-inspired creation: the Navigator Stainless Steel Vintage Auto. This timepiece blends Gnomon’s signature “Midas touch” with retro design cues, drawing on the brand’s history of celebrated collaborations. Aged maxi markers and hands (without the use of gas tubes) evoke a sense of nostalgia, while a subtle ghosted, double-signed “Gnomon Watches” at the dial’s base adds an exclusive touch. Together, Gnomon and Marathon have redefined the military pilot watch, introducing a fresh yet timeless vintage aesthetic. 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. The origins of Marathon’s Steel Navigator trace back to its debut in 1986, designed by Jean Maurice Huguenin (current Chief Watchmaker at Marathon) and Leon Wein (father of Marathon President Mitchell Wein). Created in partnership with Kelly Air Force Base, the Steel Navigator addressed a specific need: a pilot’s watch capable of withstanding extreme pressure changes at high altitudes while maintaining impeccable legibility and accuracy. Initially issued to pilots and paratroopers on missions, including deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, around 50,000 pieces were produced. These were the first-ever quartz pilot watches made by Marathon, solidifying their role as the U.S. government’s sole supplier of pilot watches—even as a Canadian company. Made in Switzeland, Approved by US Government While the original watches featured a fiber shell high-impact case with a steel back to balance durability and lightweight construction, the new Marathon Navigator Stainless Steel Vintage Auto marks a significant evolution. This latest iteration, limited to just 100 pieces, introduces a full stainless steel case—an upgrade that pays homage to the earliest Navigator designs while offering modern versatility. With oversized hour markers and, for the first time, a Swiss Sellita mechanical movement, this version transforms the iconic Navigator into a hybrid field watch with timeless appeal. It’s a nod to Marathon’s military heritage while breaking new ground for enthusiasts and