Side by side

Marathon GSAR (Government Search & Rescue) Diver's AutomaticvsFormex Reef 42 mm

The numbers, the dial colors, the calibers — laid out so you can stop flipping between tabs.

GSAR (Government Search & Rescue) Diver's Automatic
MarathonGSAR (Government Search & Rescue) Diver's Automatic
MSRP $2,100
Reef 42 mm
FormexReef 42 mm
MSRP $2,414

At a glance

10 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
GSAR (Government Search & Rescue) Diver's Automatic41mm
Reef 42 mm42mm
Power Reserve
GSAR (Government Search & Rescue) Diver's Automatic40h
Reef 42 mm56h
Water Resistance
GSAR (Government Search & Rescue) Diver's Automatic300m
Reef 42 mm300m
MSRP
GSAR (Government Search & Rescue) Diver's Automatic$2,100
Reef 42 mm$2,414

Full specifications

Case

5 specs
Diameter
41mm
42mm
Thickness
14mm
11.4mm
Lug-to-Lug
48mm
47mm
Lug Width
20mm
22mm
Material
316L Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel

Crystal & Dial

2 specs
Dial Color
Anthracite
Black
Lume
None
Super-LumiNova

Movement

2 specs
Caliber
Sellita SW200-1
Sellita SW300-1
Power Reserve
40h
56h

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$2,100
$2,414

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What people say

Owners + reviewers, side by side

Synthesized for each watch independently from owner discussions, enthusiast forums, written reviews, and video reviewers.

Marathon GSAR (Government Search & Rescue) Diver's Automatic

The Marathon GSAR (Government Search & Rescue) Diver's Automatic is widely praised for its legibility, comfort, and exceptional tritium illumination, with reviewers highlighting its utilitarian, military-equipment feel and a 41mm case size considered ideal. Owners appreciate its grippy bezel and the 300 meters of water resistance provided by the screw-down crown, deeming it a solid value for a Swiss-made tool watch. Some owners report quality control issues, with one user needing to warranty two watches, and another notes the GSAR wears taller than other models, leading to occasional bumping. The reliable ETA 2824-A2 movement is a consistent feature. Overall, owners and reviewers rate the Marathon GSAR (Government Search & Rescue) Diver's Automatic highly for its bright tritium lume and robust, no-nonsense tool watch design.

Formex Reef 42 mm

The Formex Reef 42 mm is widely praised for its comfortable bracelet featuring a micro-adjust clasp, COSC-certified Sellita movement, and excellent build quality. Owners appreciate the gradient dial's visual appeal and the overall wearability. Some owners note the seconds hand does not perfectly align with markers, and one owner found the lugs' taper hinders third-party strap fit. The bracelet's length and sporty design are noted as limiting versatility by some. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the Formex Reef 42 mm highly for its impressive wearability and value at the price point.

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