That's an interesting one great review, just taken delivery of a Merkur Abalone diver worth checking out, has vintage diver looks but with all the goodies.
Genuinely very cool. The only thing is it starts to encroach on one my rules for Homages, which is that the original has to be a LOT more expensive than the Homage. But again that’s just me. Thanks for the great review!
Good review of an interesting homage. Goodness only knows why Marathon use 16mm straps! That movement is rubbish though, mine only lasted three months, so I ignore any Merkur that uses that movement.
@@watchmewithwatches I didn't want to waste money returning it to China, so I fitted a vh31. I emailed Merkur suggesting they offer vh31 versions of their watches, but they never replied. You just can't help some people, brands like Escapement Time, Berny and Militado are selling hundreds of watches with that movement now.
I like Merkur, my first seiko homages were Merkur before San Martin or Heimdallr etc even existed. But I'm not a fan of their 'modified' tongzhi movements since I had to replace the movement in their 1963 three hand reissue. This case is too thick given it has a poor handwind movement, thick enough for an NH35, would have been better with that, or a VH sweep quartz would have allowed it be thinner. I also don't like tritium much because I have too many watches and none of them get a lot of wrist time and years pass quickly and they just get dim. I have a domed sapphire Baltany field watch that is also a bit thick for my taste but can hold a NH35, nad has (I think) a 10 year battery movement, and 100m, so is genuinely more rugged than this. And also the faithful G10 homage that came out a few months ago. So for me the watch in the video falls down between about 3 different stools.
@watchmewithwatches very comfortable, and infinitely adjustable. Ali express has them for about $15, but this Merkur comes with it for $10 more than the bog standard ugly camo strap.
@@watchmewithwatches btw, many of the Marathon watches come with permanent lug bars that can't be removed, so even these weird screw bars are an improvement.
Can you please try back hacking the movement on low power reserve? I've message others who have reviewed the movement, but no real answer. I'm liking the Merkur W10 as a beater work watch. I don't mind no hacking, as long as I can back hack the movement.
You should try the haveston M-1944C canvas strap. I bought one for a hamilton field watch and fell in love. It's a 1 piece strap that was made to match vintage military strap colors. I also "hack" mine a little, since the strap is made from 2 pieces of canvas sewn together, once I find the correct spot for the watch to sit I push my springbars in between the layers and then install it. The result is the strap wears more like a traditional strap instead of it coming up and over the springbars.
Good review.one of the best military hommage watches ive seen in ages.
That's an interesting one great review, just taken delivery of a Merkur Abalone diver worth checking out, has vintage diver looks but with all the goodies.
Great review! I have the same watch. Goes really well with nato straps.
Genuinely very cool. The only thing is it starts to encroach on one my rules for Homages, which is that the original has to be a LOT more expensive than the Homage. But again that’s just me. Thanks for the great review!
I think this would look awesome on some leather and this NATO you got there! I think all in all its a pretty neat watch!
I picked up a Rdunae RA-01 which is a homage to the G10. Great little watch for around £40.
Good review of an interesting homage. Goodness only knows why Marathon use 16mm straps! That movement is rubbish though, mine only lasted three months, so I ignore any Merkur that uses that movement.
Its a shame the movement let you down, that is the last thing you want!
@@watchmewithwatches I didn't want to waste money returning it to China, so I fitted a vh31. I emailed Merkur suggesting they offer vh31 versions of their watches, but they never replied. You just can't help some people, brands like Escapement Time, Berny and Militado are selling hundreds of watches with that movement now.
I like Merkur, my first seiko homages were Merkur before San Martin or Heimdallr etc even existed. But I'm not a fan of their 'modified' tongzhi movements since I had to replace the movement in their 1963 three hand reissue. This case is too thick given it has a poor handwind movement, thick enough for an NH35, would have been better with that, or a VH sweep quartz would have allowed it be thinner. I also don't like tritium much because I have too many watches and none of them get a lot of wrist time and years pass quickly and they just get dim.
I have a domed sapphire Baltany field watch that is also a bit thick for my taste but can hold a NH35, nad has (I think) a 10 year battery movement, and 100m, so is genuinely more rugged than this. And also the faithful G10 homage that came out a few months ago. So for me the watch in the video falls down between about 3 different stools.
You could just cut the original strap off with a Stanley knife and leave the bars alone.
Very true! I guess I needed to try out the screws to see how easy it is.
That looks like a nice daily. Ticks the rugged and simple boxes.... But 100m would have been nicer.
I agree! I'm sure a day at the beach would be ok, but you never know with 50m. Some watches are fine, others not so much!
I really like the looks of this one. The 16mm lugs of the Mary is a deal breaker.
@@scottlewis2372 same! 16mm is just too awkward, 18mm for the marathon would be ok still and easier to accommodate.
I notice it also comes with a Bonklip style bracelet, which is one of my favorite bracelets.
@@andrewrothman7805 what are those like? I've always been curious 🤔
@watchmewithwatches very comfortable, and infinitely adjustable. Ali express has them for about $15, but this Merkur comes with it for $10 more than the bog standard ugly camo strap.
@@watchmewithwatches btw, many of the Marathon watches come with permanent lug bars that can't be removed, so even these weird screw bars are an improvement.
Cute watch no doubt.
Can you please try back hacking the movement on low power reserve? I've message others who have reviewed the movement, but no real answer. I'm liking the Merkur W10 as a beater work watch. I don't mind no hacking, as long as I can back hack the movement.
@@onemph05 I will have a try!
To reduce the height with a NATO, I’ve actually cut the loop/excess part completely off. It sits a lot flatter.👍🏼🤣
@@andrewd7586 that's a good tip, I've done that a few times myself!
You should try the haveston M-1944C canvas strap. I bought one for a hamilton field watch and fell in love. It's a 1 piece strap that was made to match vintage military strap colors.
I also "hack" mine a little, since the strap is made from 2 pieces of canvas sewn together, once I find the correct spot for the watch to sit I push my springbars in between the layers and then install it. The result is the strap wears more like a traditional strap instead of it coming up and over the springbars.
Nice screen split and use of contrasting background colors.
@@Shri_V thanks! I find it easier to present information that way too.
The marathon case is lot smaller
@@yvesleroy5740 it's a 36, nice for a field watch (like the CWC g10)
@@watchmewithwatches description on Merkur site gives it 39mm ...Marathon gpm is 34mm ...really not same
@@yvesleroy5740 on marathons website, they state 36mm. The measurement I gave in the review of the Merkur was 39mm.
Merkur poor quality and zero customer service.
@@chrishiggs5313 tell us your story! Sounds bad....