Service on the Marathon SAR WW194006 (2006)

One of the last SARs before the introduction of the GSAR

Some watches are designed for luxury, and others are designed for adventure. The Marathon Watch Company SAR clearly falls into the latter category.

The specific watch that arrived at The Watchmaker workshop in Thessaloniki is a Marathon SAR WW194006, manufactured in May 2006. It is one of the last watches in the original SAR (Search and Rescue) series, which was produced from around 2000 to 2006, before being replaced by the later Marathon GSAR.

The watch bears the military part number NSN 6645-21-558-0133, confirming that it was designed to military procurement specifications.

These watches weren't made for display cases. They were made for actual use in search and rescue operations.

A true “tool watch”

Marathon's SAR philosophy is simple:"
"—absolute reliability in challenging conditions.

The WW194006 model features:

• High-strength steel housing

• Screw-on crown

• Rotating diving ring

• Water resistance: 300 meters / 1,000 feet

• Black dial with excellent readability

• Swiss automatic movement

The design is purely functional. Every element of the watch serves a specific purpose: to remain easy to read, reliable, and easy to use even in extreme conditions.

Full Service at The Watchmaker Workshop

After nearly two decades of use, the watch required a complete service to restore it to its original condition.

The process began with the complete disassembly of the watch. The case, bracelet, bezel, and movement were completely disassembled so that each component could be inspected individually.

Mechanism service

The automatic movement was completely disassembled. The components were cleaned in a professional watchmaking washing machine using special cleaning solutions and then reassembled with the correct lubricants applied to the critical friction points.

After assembly, the following was carried out:

• precision adjustment

• amplitude control

• beat error check

so that the mechanism will function again with the highest possible precision.

Replacement of flanges and restoration of watertightness

Water resistance is a critical feature in a diving watch.

Over time, gaskets harden and lose their elasticity. For this reason, all gaskets were completely replaced:

• lid gasket

• crown flange

• crown gaskets

After assembly, the watch was tested for water resistance to ensure that it once again meets the 30 ATM / 300-meter rating.

Replacement of the crown insert

The original crown insert showed clear signs of use and wear, which is perfectly normal for a tool that has been in daily use for years.

The insert was replaced with a new genuine part, restoring:

• the clarity of the readings

• the aesthetic balance of the watch

• the proper functioning of the rim.

Restoration of the case and bracelet

The steel case and bracelet showed obvious signs of wear.

The satin finish was carefully restored, preserving the case’s original geometric features.

The goal in such cases is not to erase the watch’s history, but to restore its original aesthetic without altering its character.

The result

After the service was completed, the 2006 Marathon SAR returned to its original form:

• fully operational

• waterproof

• precisely adjusted

• with a fresh new look.

The end result proves something that professional users know all too well: well-made tool watches can last for decades, provided they are properly maintained.

A piece of modern military watchmaking

The first Marathon SAR now constitute a small but significant chapter in modern military watchmaking.

This particular model, manufactured in May 2006, belongs to the last generation before the series evolved into the well-known GSAR.

For collectors and enthusiasts of genuine tool watches, these models remain particularly appealing—not because of their luxury, but because of their authentic purpose.

The Watchmaker – Watch Repair in Thessaloniki

At The Watchmaker workshop in Thessaloniki, we treat every watch with the respect it deserves, whether it’s a complex Swiss dress watch or a military timepiece designed for field operations.

Because every watch has its own story.