Side by side

Marathon MSAR (Medium Search & Rescue) Diver's QuartzvsPhoibos Narwhal

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

MSAR (Medium Search & Rescue) Diver's Quartz
MarathonMSAR (Medium Search & Rescue) Diver's Quartz
MSRP $1,450
Narwhal
PhoibosNarwhal
MSRP $509

At a glance

12 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
MSAR (Medium Search & Rescue) Diver's Quartz36mm
Narwhal38mm
Power Reserve
MSAR (Medium Search & Rescue) Diver's Quartz40h
Narwhal40h
Water Resistance
MSAR (Medium Search & Rescue) Diver's Quartz300m
Narwhal200m
MSRP
MSAR (Medium Search & Rescue) Diver's Quartz$1,450
Narwhal$509

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Diameter
36mm
38mm
Thickness
18mm
11.5mm
Lug-to-Lug
46mm
Lug Width
18mm
20mm
Material
316L Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel
Water Resistance
300m
200m

Crystal & Dial

3 specs
AR Coating
Inner
Yes
Dial Color
Black
Malachite
Lume
None
Super-LumiNova

Movement

2 specs
Caliber
Swiss High-Torque Quartz
Miyota 9015
Type
Quartz
Automatic

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$1,450
$509

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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 Quartz

Owners widely praise the Marathon MSAR (Medium Search & Rescue) Diver's Quartz for its tool-like aesthetic, bright tritium lume, and satisfying bezel action, making it enjoyable to handle and use. One owner finds the 36mm case comfortable after an initial adjustment period, while another reports accuracy within a few seconds of atomic time. On balance, owners rate the Marathon MSAR (Medium Search & Rescue) Diver's Quartz highly for its superb value and enjoyable tool-watch characteristics.

Phoibos Narwhal

Owners widely praise the Phoibos Narwhal's 38mm size and slim 11.5mm height for a 200m diver, noting it wears well on smaller wrists and its case shape resembles an integrated bracelet. The aventurine and Howlite dials are described as captivating, and some appreciate the contrast finishing and retro looks. However, some owners criticize misaligned markers and a tilted date window, with one owner finding the hands thick and popsicle-style. The value proposition is debated, with some finding it a good buy at $390 but others considering $480-$490 too much due to a slabby design and difficult-to-size bracelet. On balance, owners find the Phoibos Narwhal appealing for its design and wearability, though quality control and pricing are points of contention for some.

From video reviewers

The unique stone dial is a significant strength. The bracelet's refinement is a weakness. Reviewers disagree on the dial's appeal, with one highlighting its sunburst effect and applied indices, while another focuses on the natural stone variation.

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