Pilot’s Navigator Stainless Steel Arctic Quartz w/Date (SSNAV-D) - Ballistic Nylon Ref. WW194013SS-0501

The brand Marathon might be new to some, but not for Canadians, Americans, and especially military watch fanatics like us. The moniker is better known to watch collectors be among the few that, until today, officially offers no-frills timepieces to the military. Those regimes include the United States and Canadian army since circa 70 years ago. Let's dive a little deeper. The company that was to become Marathon Watch was founded in 1904 as Weinsturm Watch, later to be named Wein Brothers. In 1939, Morris Wein founded Marathon Watch, supplying fine precision timepieces throughout North America. Since 1941, Marathon has been manufacturing timing instruments for the Allied Forces, and today the fourth generation of the family continues the tradition with a wide range of tools measuring time, temperature, and distance. Marathon watches combine military durability with Swiss engineering and craftsmanship to ensure the highest level of quality and precision. All these traits unveiled on their Marathon Pilot's Navigator Stainless Steel Artic Quartz w/Date – Ballistic Nylon Ref. WW194013SS-0501. Marathon Pilot’s Navigator Stainless Steel Arctic Quartz w/Date (SSNAV-D) - Ballistic Nylon Ref. WW194013SS-0501 Entering the navigator watch realm, Marathon has based on the MIL-PRF-46374G specifications and manufactured for the US army till today with several revisions, lending them to be the longest-running specifications required by the US government. This particular model follows the type III / class 1 variation and summarizing what it is all about; it needed to have a rotating bezel equipped with elapsed time ring, and electrical quartz movement that able to maintain long life that able to withstand magnetically, water and corrosion resistance along with high altitude. Further, the watch needs to have a nylon strap attached to it and to use tritium for its luminous hands and markers that have to glow for 8 hours or more in total darkness. The unique asymmetrical case with the military 24-hour dial indication proved to be the military issued watches back in the 1970s. All these traits seen on the Pilot's Navigator Stainless Steel Artic Quartz for the US military, and Marathon keeps all there in check. 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 Artic Quartz finally comes in full stainless steel material, just like the very first Navigator that Marathon had made prior to the government's contract. Made in Switzeland, Approved by US Government 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 Artic 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 black 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 b