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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Military chronograph

2007 Marathon CSAR Military Chronograph

Partially verified

, handmade in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. The watch is constructed from 316L surgical-grade stainless steel with a 42mm case diameter and is water-resistant to 30 ATM (300 meters). It is powered by a Swiss-made, 25-jewel Valjoux ETA 7750 automatic chronograph movement. The dial displays 12-hour and 24-hour time, day and date, with dual-graduated chronograph timing (1/5 second and 1/100 minute decimal). Illumination is provided by encapsulated tritium gas tubes on the hour markers and main hands, supplemented by MaraGlo photo-luminescent paint on the bezel and sub-register indexes. The watch is fitted with an original stainless steel bracelet featuring an oyster-style flip-lock clasp stamped with the U.S. Seal.

Front view of the 2007 Marathon CSAR Military Chronograph on a stainless steel bracelet.
Front view of the 2007 Marathon CSAR Military Chronograph on a stainless steel bracelet. — Craft & Tailored. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
craftandtailored.com
Category
Wristwatch · Military chronograph
Maker / attribution
Marathon
Reference
CSAR
Catalogue / lot identifier
MARCSAR07
Source-reported date
2007
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
0109

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial Construction

The 42mm case is manufactured from 316L surgical-grade stainless steel and utilizes a bead-blasted finish. The watch is water-resistant to a depth of 30 ATM (300 meters). The crystal is composed of synthetic sapphire for scratch resistance. The bezel is original to the timepiece and features a 12-hour marking coated in MaraGlo photo-luminescent paint.

The dial displays both 12-hour and 24-hour time formats, alongside day and date windows. Chronograph functionality is presented with dual-graduation scales, providing 1/5 second measurements and 1/100 minute decimal timing on the inner ring. The chronograph registers measure up to 30 minutes and 12 hours. Dial indices and main hands are equipped with encapsulated tritium (Isotope H3) gas tubes for illumination.

Evidence for this section
  • “Made from 316L surgical grade stainless steel”
  • “The Marathon CSAR is water resistant down to 30 ATM - 300 meters (1000 feet) underwater.”
  • “The glass of the CSAR is in fact not glass, but a synthetic sapphire which is scratch resistant.”

Movement and Functionality

The timepiece is powered by an automatic chronograph movement, specifically the Swiss-made, 25-jewel Valjoux ETA 7750. The movement facilitates the central sweep seconds hand, which tracks 1/5-second intervals, as well as the subsidiary registers.

The watch is designed for search and rescue operations, aviation, and diving. It utilizes tritium gas tubes for low-light legibility, which operate as self-contained light sources and do not require external light charging. The activity level of the tritium is stated to be between 28-30 millicuries.

Evidence for this section
  • “Inside the CSAR is a Swiss made, 25 Jewel Valjoux ETA 7750 automatic chronograph movement.”
  • “the CSAR has self contained Tritium gas tubes place on each hour marking as well as on the minute and hour hands.”
  • “Encapsulated tritium (Isotope H3) light sources are used for dial at each hour position as well as the Minute and Hour hands, activity between 28-30 millicuries (under 30 millicuries).”

Provenance and Condition

The watch was handmade in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. The auction description reports that the watch is in original condition, with the case displaying the original factory bead-blasted finish and sharp lines. The watch is supplied with an original oyster-style flip-lock bracelet featuring the U.S. Seal on the clasp.

The watch is reported to be keeping time at factory specifications, though the extended service history is unknown.

Evidence for this section
  • “The CSAR is handmade in La Chaux de Fonds Switzerland”
  • “The case is in wonderful original condition showing the original factory bead blasted finishing and sharp case lines.”
  • “The watch will be supplied on the original oyster style flip lock bracelet that bears the U.S. Seal on the clasp”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific significance of the U.S. Seal on the clasp in relation to military contract supply for this reference?
  • How does the tritium activity level of 28-30 millicuries impact the half-life and long-term illumination output for this specific year of manufacture?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for 2007 Marathon CSAR Military Chronograph
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerMarathon“Brand Marathon”
ReferenceCSAR“Model CSAR”
Serial Number0109“Serial 0109”
MovementETA 7750“Inside the CSAR is a Swiss made, 25 Jewel Valjoux ETA 7750 automatic chronograph movement.”
Water Resistance30 ATM“The Marathon CSAR is water resistant down to 30 ATM - 300 meters (1000 feet) underwater.”
Case Material316L Stainless Steel“Made from 316L surgical grade stainless steel”
IlluminationTritium gas tubes and MaraGlo paint“the CSAR has self contained Tritium gas tubes place on each hour marking as well as on the minute and hour hands. MaraGlo photo-luminescent paint is used for the 12 hour bezel marker as well as on the minute and hour chronograph register indexes.”

Visible details

  • Case features a bead-blasted finish
  • Dial includes day-date complication
  • Movement is an automatic chronograph
  • Bezel is uni-directional rotating

Research qualifications

  • Extended service history is unknown
  • The auction description reports the bezel shows some wear

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

ساعت مچی کرنوگراف نظامی ماراتن Marathon CSAR مدل ۲۰۰۷

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 20ce4b88de

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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