The Marathon Pilot's Navigator is a highly accurate watch built to strict military specifications under MIL-PRF-46374G. Designed for pilots, parachutists, and law enforcement, the Military Pilot's Navigator is made to withstand the many challenges that are faced in a professional environment.
First developed by Marathon Watch Company in 1986, the Pilot's Navigator was made at the request of the Kelly Air Force Base. They wanted a watch which could be used at high altitude, withstand extreme changes in pressure and altitude, resist magnetic fields, as well as be an easy to read timepiece for a pilot. Marathon fulfilled this with the Pilot's Navigator watch.
The Steel Navigator with Date is a robust tool watch that comprises of a fully re-engineered upgrade to Marathon’s original Steel Navigator, developed in partnership with the Kelly Air Force Base in 1986 and represents the return of a true classic. The Steel Navigator with Date boasts enhanced functionality and unmatched accuracy featuring the most advanced Swiss-quartz movement to date.
The Steel Navigator features a 316L stainless steel case with a water resistance of 100 meters, or 10 ATM. The case has a matte parkerized finish to avoid unwanted reflections and the special asymmetrical shape ensures the stainless steel crown is fully protected.
The refreshed 41mm case design features enhanced lug tapering, providing a comfortable fit making the Steel Navigator ideal for all-day wear. The increased height of the 12HR GMT bezel is specially designed to provide improved grip, allowing pilots to easily handle the bi-directional rotation while wearing flight gloves. The bezel also features inset-painted indices, enhancing the legibility of the markings.
The dial is protected with sapphire crystal which provides ultimate scratch resistance, overall durability, and clarity of dial viewing. A rotating bi-directional 12 hour bezel allows for the tracking of elapsed time or a second time zone. And the caseback is made of stainless steel with a battery hatch for easy battery replacement!
The Marathon Steel Navigator is made in La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland to guarantee the highest level of quality and accuracy in manufacturing. Powered by a Swiss made, high torque, 3 jewel ETA F06.412 HeavyDrive-PreciDrive Quartz movement, the Steel Navigator guarantees you the highest degree of accuracy in timekeeping. This tough movement will operate for 5+ years before needing a battery change. The ETA F06.412 movement is accurate to ± 10s/year and also includes an End of Life (EOL) indicator that will advance the second hand once every 4 seconds to inform you that a battery change is needed. Replacement battery is a standard 371 cell.
The Steel Navigator uses self contained Tritium gas tubes to ensure constant visibility in low light situations: a gas tube is placed on each hour marker, as well as the hour and seconds hands. The 12 o'clock marker on the dial is distinguished with an orange colored Tritium tube. A Tritium tube is also located within the pip on the 12 hour marker in the bezel. Tritium tubes are self illuminating gas tubes which contain an isotope of hydrogen, meaning they will not dull down in brightness like normal photo-luminescent (glow in the dark) paint which requires an external light source to create a glow.
Included with the Steel Navigator is a 20 mm waterproof ballistic nylon strap made under Military specification MIL-S-46383B, Type III.
The Marathon Steel Navigator combines military durability with Swiss craftsmanship. An accurate timepiece that will satisfy you for years.