VINTAGE 1991 STEEL 41mm MARATHON NAVIGATOR USAF ISSUED TO A PILOT DURING DESERT STORM

SWISS MADE BY GALLET & CO FOR MARATHON OF CANADA AKA ADANAC

ISSUED ONES ARE EXTREMELY RARE

RUNNING WELL AND KEEPING TIME

INCLUDES THE PATCH FROM THE SQUADRON THAT HE BELONGED TO (Possibly post Desert Storm)

ALSO COMES WITH A GREEN NATO STRAP THAT WAS ON IT

PLUS A HIGH QUALITY GRAY SEATBELT NYLON NATO STRAP AS SEEN IN THE PHOTOS

ca.1991 Dated

This vintage 1991 Marathon wristwatch was issued to USAF military pilots during the Iraq War, this one was issued to a USAF Pilot, He also sent me a patch from the 18th Air refueling Squadron, which after research, may have been a job that he took after the Gulf War (Desert Storm). When I bought it, the Gentleman sent me one of his patches which was very nice of him, I won’t include photographs or name for discretion purposes, nor did he send any provenance of which Squadron he was part of during Desert Storm. However I will include the patch with the watch, its the only provenance I have, and it belongs with the watch, to Honor this Pilot that wore the watch.

The watch features a stainless steel case with a matte finish, which has normal overall wear and tear, to the case. The acrylic crystal has been banged around which is what you want to see on an original crystal. The dial looks great but the glow from the Tritium tubes has stopped glowing, which means it’s original. The Bidirectional rotating bezel rotates both ways and shows overall wear too. The Swiss made quartz movement is currently keeping time.

Other notable aspects of this watch include a 41mm case size, 20mm lug width, and a reference number of 6645-01-150-8115.

NOTE: Some of these 1991 watches were not ‘Actually’ issued and became available later on in Military surplus stores. This watch was issued to a USAF Pilot. The Retired USAF Pilot told me that it wasn’t even wore on his wrist during refueling missions, amazingly he took it off and taped it onto his instrument cluster, then put it back on the strap when not working. He really didn’t like wearing it except for work, as he didn’t like NATO straps. He intended to have the solid bars removed and removed and replaced with spring bars, however that would have ruined the watch. I’m glad that he left it completely original :)

Similar Military brands to Marathon are CWC Newmark Hamilton Casio G-Shock Tudor Rolex Omega Lemania Smiths and many more.

Marathon have just recreated this watch and they sell for $799 and up. The prices of these original Military issue Marathon and Adanac Navigator watches, are set to go sky high in my opinion. Put one of these in your collection while you can find them!

Note: I’ve seen some other 1991 Marathon Navigator’s for sale on eBay and they are in mint condition, which is nice. However, I doubt they’ve ever been issued to Servicemen or used on a deployment. It’s watches like the Marathon that I’m selling, that are legitimate ‘actually issued’ watches that have been used while on deployment and during training. Watches that have been issued and used while in the Military are way more interesting in my opinion. A watch intended for Military issue, but wasn’t, is not a Military issue watch to me. It’s the kind of watch you could buy at Military surplus stores back in the 90’s, like US Cavalry in Ft. Campbell Kentucky. Yes it’s nice to have a mint one, but not having been sat on the wrist of a Military Pilot or any USAF personnel, it’s just not the same. From a collectors point, I’d rather have a used and scratched watch that’s seen action than one that has been bought from a shop brand new.

I wish I had more provenance to share about this watch, but I can’t, since I promised not to share the name and rank of its former owner, for discretion reasons. So please don’t ask.

This is a 33 year old Vintage Quartz watch, that has seen Military and is currently being worn in a Law Enforcement setting (By me) so I cannot give and Guarantee or warranty on this watch and do not accept any Returns.