What We Know
Marathon Watches, the Canadian watch brand best known for its line of military-issued and -inspired watches, and Watches of Espionage, the online journal that has made a name for itself exploring the very tangible connection between watches and militaries around the world, have teamed up to launch a new watch that’s sure to grab attention: The Marathon x W.O.E. Titanium SAR.
The new watch, which officially launches this Thursday, includes a host of firsts for both Marathon and Watches of Espionage. For Watches of Espionage, which launched five years ago and is run by a secretive (some might say “sketchy”) former CIA Case officer, the Marathon x W.O.E. Titanium SAR is a first venture into the world of collaborative watches. For Marathon, the fourth-generation family-run company with a slightly longer history than Watches of Espionage, the Marathon x W.O.E. Titanium SAR is the brand’s first foray into titanium watches.
On the surface, the new watch won’t seem like much of a departure for Marathon, especially to those familiar with the brand’s past offerings. The new watch draws heavily on the original Marathon SAR, first released in 2001, but modernizes the package and brings Grade 5 titanium to the table for the first time. Like other SAR watches from Marathon (such as the GSAR, TSAR, or OSAR-D), the new watch measures 41mm across, 48mm lug-to-lug, and 14mm thick, with much of that thickness coming from the toothy bezel.
Just because this watch feels familiar doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of W.O.E. inspired details to go around, though. The W.O.E. Spearhead insignia — which draws its lineage to the CIA’s predecessor O.S.S. during WWII — can be found engraved on both the crown and the caseback of the Titanium SAR. Additionally, a red “WOE” wordmark sits at six o’clock, and the first four minutes of the minute track are a reference to “the four-minute window used by CIA Case Officers during clandestine source meetings.” I can’t pretend to understand or verify that last point, but I buy it coming from W.O.E.
Inside the new watch is an upgraded version of the Sellita SW200, the Sellita SW200-2B. This version of the well-known movement is a no-date variant with no phantom ghost position and an extended 65-hour power reserve.
The Marathon x W.O.E. Titanium SAR is limited to 200 pieces and goes on sale starting at 1400 US EST (2 pm, for those who need translating). The watch is priced at $2,250, and deliveries are estimated to begin in January of 2027. If you miss out on this LE, don’t worry too much, as Marathon will be following it up with a titanium GSAR (with tritium gas tube lume) in October.
What We Think
I mean, do I even have to say it? This thing is awesome. It’s hard to think of a better collaborative match for either Marathon or Watches of Espionage, and they knocked this one out of the park. Like most Marathons, I don’t expect that this watch will hold the same universal appeal as some 41mm black dive watches, but I also don’t think that’s much of an issue. This is a watch that will find its audience, and they’ll appreciate this one immensely. I know that because I definitely fall into that camp.
I will also say, I appreciate both Marathon and W.O.E.’s transparency around where this watch falls in the upcoming product lineup for Marathon — there is no pretending that you’ll be missing out on a titanium Marathon if you can’t get one of the 200 pieces that make up this limited run, and no pretending that this is anything other than a logical next step for both entities.
And on that note, I’m thrilled to finally be getting a titanium offering from Marathon. Honestly, when I learned this watch was coming, I had to do an internal double take because it was hard to believe there hadn’t already been a titanium SAR watch. The fact that there finally is one makes me very happy, and I cannot wait to see what Marathon does with this new case. But until then, this collab is absolutely one worth celebrating, and I already know that I’ll be desperately looking to check out this watch as soon as I possibly can (and if I happen to see it on a W.O.E. Glomar — all the better).
The Basics
Brand: Marathon & Watches of Espionage
Model: Titanium SAR
Diameter: 41mm
Thickness: 14mm
Case Material: Grade 5 Titanium
Dial Color: Black
Indexes: Applied Luminous Markers
Lume: Marathon’s proprietary MaraGlo luminous material throughout (equivalent to Super-LumiNova X2 in brightness)
Water Resistance: 300m
Strap/Bracelet: Marathon 3-Piece FKM Rubber Strap
The Movement
Caliber: Sellita SW200-2B
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds.
Power Reserve: 65 hours
Winding: Automatic
Additional Details: No-date caliber, no ghost position.
Pricing & Availability
Price: $2,250
Availability: Pre-order opens Thursday, September 24 at 1400 US EST (2 pm Eastern)
Limited Edition: Yes, 200 pieces.
For more, click here.
