Side by side

Marathon MSAR (Medium Search & Rescue) Diver's AutomaticvsGrand Seiko SBGH289

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

MSAR (Medium Search & Rescue) Diver's Automatic
MarathonMSAR (Medium Search & Rescue) Diver's Automatic
MSRP $1,800
SBGH289
Grand SeikoSBGH289
MSRP $7,700

At a glance

11 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
MSAR (Medium Search & Rescue) Diver's Automatic36mm
SBGH28943.8mm
Power Reserve
MSAR (Medium Search & Rescue) Diver's Automatic40h
SBGH28955h
Water Resistance
MSAR (Medium Search & Rescue) Diver's Automatic300m
SBGH289200m
MSRP
MSAR (Medium Search & Rescue) Diver's Automatic$1,800
SBGH289$7,700

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Diameter
36mm
43.8mm
Thickness
18mm
14.7mm
Lug-to-Lug
51mm
Lug Width
18mm
22mm
Material
316L Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel
Water Resistance
300m
200m

Crystal & Dial

2 specs
AR Coating
Inner
Yes
Dial Color
White
Black

Movement

2 specs
Caliber
Sellita SW200-1
9S85
Power Reserve
40h
55h

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$1,800
$7,700

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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 MSAR (Medium Search & Rescue) Diver's Automatic

The Marathon MSAR (Medium Search & Rescue) Diver's Automatic is lauded for its utilitarian, no-nonsense design, exceptional tritium lume for visibility, and comfortable 41mm wearability. Reviewers highlight its robust build, meeting ISO 6425 dive watch standards and approved for military use, demonstrating durability during demanding activities. One reviewer notes the stock rubber strap requires modification for a proper fit. Overall, reviewers rate the Marathon MSAR (Medium Search & Rescue) Diver's Automatic highly for its focus on utility and ruggedness at its price point.

Grand Seiko SBGH289

The Grand Seiko SBGH289 is praised for its legible blue dial, strong Lumibrite, and the accurate Hi-Beat Caliber 9S85 movement. Reviewers note its bright initial lume glow, though its longevity is questioned compared to other models. The watch features Grand Seiko's Super-Hard Coating for scratch resistance and retails for €7,200. Overall, reviewers highlight the SBGH289's appealing aesthetics and robust movement as key strengths.

From video reviewers

Excellent finishing and smooth bezel action are notable features of the Grand Seiko SBGH289. A weakness of the watch is the relatively low lume brightness. Reviewers disagree on the watch's ideal lug width, with some considering 22mm a limitation for users who prefer a more standard 20mm or 21mm strap width, while others do not mention this as a concern.

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