[sgtlmj]

I am in "need" of a bulletproof beater watch for work. This time I'm (re)trying the Medium TSAR. Seems to fit well on my 6.5" wrist. I bought one about a year ago and sent it back without ever taking it out of the box. I was wearing a Seiko Turtle at the time, and the Med TSAR just looked too tiny. I tried a Navigator a while back, and scratched it by just looking at it. No bueno.

I'm finding that smaller watches are sticking with me a bit longer these days. If this TSAR becomes a keeper (got it for $320 ANIB!), I may relegate the Citizen to wearing on nicer occasions since I think it looks really good on a bracelet. I've tried the standard 41mm TSAR/GSAR/SAR, but I think the height is what keeps driving me away from those. I seem catch them on just about everything.

Size compared to my old stand-by, the BN0000-04H. Crystal sizes are almost identical. The dial of the TSAR is actually a bit larger due to the wide chapter ring of the Citizen. Thickness is really close due to the domed crystal on the Citizen.

BN0000-04H
Width: 44mm incl crown
Bezel Diameter:39mm
Crystal Diameter: 27.9mm
Case Diameter: 41mm
Case Thickness: 11.8mm
Lug-to-Lug: 48mm
Lug Width: 20mm

Marathon Medium TSAR
Width: 43.5 incl crown
Bezel Diameter:36mm
Crystal Diameter: 27.75mm
Case Diameter:35mm
Case Thickness:12.4mm
Lug-to-Lug:44mm
Lug Width:18mm

 

[yankeexpress]

TSAR is about the same height as the GSAR, no?

 

[sgtlmj]

TSAR is about the same height as the GSAR, no?

Standard 41mm TSAR's and GSAR's are the same height. In the Mediums, the GSAR is about 13.8mm, which is the same height as the standard divers. Medium TSAR is their shortest diver. The Medium GSAR and TSARs have model-specific bracelets to accommodate the height of the cases. Different SKUs for Quartz vs Auto.

[pilfered eBay photos of Marathon Mediums]

 

[yankeexpress]

Good to know, thanks.

 

[sgtlmj]

Here's the height comparison between a 41mm GSAR and the 36mm TSAR:

Family photo:

 

[Caliguli]

I had a 36mm turn up yesterday. I've owned a gsar In the past and I'm looking for another now. Anyway I opened the box took her out and straight away didn't like It, packed It back up to be returned then i decided to at least go for a walk over the park with it on for 20 minutes see how It goes.

It's now 24 hours later and I'm almost certain it's my favourite watch I've owned and I've owned a few (Haldor Abissi, Armida A1, Casio MRG, Omega Seamaster, Omega X-33, Seiko's, list is long) It's strange because when you look at it on your wrist it looks very small but if you look in a mirror or photo's or whatever it looks like the perfect watch. I like it so much it's made me go ahead and sell my Boschett Cave dweller. I think all these years I've always thought bigger watches were best but it turns out, I much prefer the smaller ones. The Boschett feels plain right silly on my wrist (as lovely as it Is)

Just thought I'd share that because I think a lot of people are put off this watch that shouldn't be. It's quite possibly the most comfortable and best looking watch I've ever worn.

 

[sgtlmj]

I ended up flipping the Medium and I'm working on selling the GSAR as well. It's really the height that is turning me away from these, and the hard edges. The fact that the bezel is wider than the case makes these catch on the things in my world on a daily basis. I'm digging the BN0000-04H, as it's the perfect size and contour for my wrist shape. It just disappears. Too bad they discontinued them.

 

[iBlake]

Personally, I am not a fan of citizen and I only own automatic watches hence the Marathon. Either ways aesthetically I like the GSAR more. But if the size/height and the overall look isn't appealing for you, of course you shouldn't take it.

 

[DeckDing]

Hi,

First post, though I am a long-time lurker, I suppose. I would like to throw in my two cents, and start posting more on this forum!
I also considered the Medium TSAR but was held back by 1 thing - tritium tubes (I guess that is technically 15 things?).

The tubes (on the hands specifically) are not bulletproof. A search online yielded me a used marathon currently for sale with a broken tritium tube (one from the 2 o'clock position) when I was looking to buy. That's when I started looking into this and even had called Marathon in Toronto (just north of technically), Canada. Dropping any watch generally has the ability to cause some damage, but a watch with a tritium tube risks dislodging tubes, and given their relative delicate make-up, they then have a tendency to rupture in one way or the other. I don't speak of experience, and only hearsay, and what the company explained to me. Yes, dropping a watch risks damaging most watches in general, and this one has a specifically durable case, but I would opt for one of their offerings without tritium for durability.

tldr; A bullet proof watch is a durable watch all over. The Marathon watch has a weak (er) point on it, when compared to a watch painted with a conventional lume, or uses no lume at all.

 

[Hardscrabbler]

I ended up flipping the Medium and I'm working on selling the GSAR as well. It's really the height that is turning me away from these, and the hard edges. The fact that the bezel is wider than the case makes these catch on the things in my world on a daily basis. I'm digging the BN0000-04H, as it's the perfect size and contour for my wrist shape. It just disappears. Too bad they discontinued them.

I don't have any Citizens in my collection, but one of my river rescue teammates has worn a BN000-04H forever. It's a nice watch with a low profile that doesn't bang into stuff, get caught on dry suit wristlets, or impede swimming. If I wanted a citizen, I'd get this one.

The TSAR is a great watch, but swimming with it is like swimming with a brick strapped to my wrist (I wear a M5610 on duty)

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