Marathon Anthracite SAR Collection: Four New Stealth Dive Watches for 2026

By Brent Robillard

Covert operations

There’s something about a fully blacked-out tool watch that just works. Maybe it’s the stealthy aesthetic. Maybe it’s the way it strips a watch back to unfettered cohesion. Whatever the reason, Marathon’s new Anthracite SAR collection feels like a logical progression of one of the most no-nonsense dive watch families in modern military horology.

The new lineup expands the fan-favourite SAR (Search and Rescue) series with four anthracite-coated models across three case sizes—36mm, 41mm, and a commanding 46mm—giving collectors and professionals alike a proper range of options depending on wrist size, use case, and preference. All four models arrive in a fully blacked-out colourway, paired with either stainless steel or rubber straps for maximum versatility in the field.

The new Anthracite SAR Collection from Marathon in 36, 41, and 46mm cases — The new Anthracite SAR Collection from Marathon

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A Familiar Tool Watch, Turned Stealth

At a glance, these are unmistakably SARs. The fully hashed 60-minute dive bezels, highly legible dials, unapologetically chunky cases, and bold bezels are all hallmarks of the line. But the anthracite treatment gives the collection a more contemporary, tactical edge.

The 36mm MSAR and the 46mm JDD arrive on Marathon’s three-piece strap set, while the ever-popular 41mm GSAR offers the choice of strap or a matching anthracite-coated bracelet. It’s worth noting that while the 41mm GSAR was previously issued in anthracite back in 2018, this new iteration sharpens the aesthetic with a fully blacked-out date wheel. It’s a small tweak, but one that makes the dial feel more uniform.

41mm GSAR on wrist in anthracite — The 41mm GSAR gets a blacked-out date wheel

Across the collection, water resistance remains a serious 30 ATM (300 metres), reinforcing the SAR’s roots as a professional dive tool. The dials retain Marathon’s signature tritium gas tubes for constant low-light visibility, paired with a MaraGlo bezel pip.

Powering the watches are automatic Sellita movements from the SW200 family (with the JDD using the SW220 variant), a proven and serviceable choice that aligns with Marathon’s long-standing focus on reliability.

Anthracite SAR Collection from Marathon with tritium tubes and MaraGlo — Low light legibility when it counts

The SAR Line: Born for Real-World Use

For those new to the SAR line matters, let’s zoom out a bit. The SAR Divers were originally developed in the early 1990s to meet Canadian Government requirements for professional Search and Rescue operations. They were tools specified for real operational needs. Over the decades, the SAR series has gone on to become one of Marathon’s most recognizable families, and continues to see use by both U.S. and Canadian military units today.

That lineage is a big part of why the SAR watches resonate so strongly with collectors. They’re not just “military-inspired.” They’re watches that exist because a military use case demanded them in the first place.

Anthracite SAR Collection from Marathon built for military use — The SAR line is issued to the Canadian & US militaries

And in 2026, that heritage feels particularly timely. While Marathon was founded back in 1939, it began supplying watches to the military in 1941 during the Second World War. That makes this year the 85th anniversary of Marathon producing military watches—a milestone that underscores just how long the brand has been operating in this very specific, very demanding niche. The Anthracite SAR collection slots neatly into that continuum: modernized in finish, but fundamentally unchanged in purpose.

The 36mm MSAR in Anthracite on wrist and in uniform — 2026 marks 85 years of military service for Marathon

A Personal Note (Because These Are Watches You Live With)

On a personal level, Marathon is one of those brands I’ve spent a lot of time with over the years. I own both the SSNAV-D and the OSAR-D (the latter being part of the SAR lineup) and what has always stood out to me is how unpretentious these watches feel. They’re not trying to be precious. They’re not pretending to be something they’re not. They’re weighty, legible, overbuilt, and surprisingly comfortable once you get used to their presence on the wrist.

The 46,, JDD from Marathon among EDC tolls, part of the Anthracite SAR Collection from Marathon — Overbuilt for a reason

That lived-in experience is part of why Marathon’s value proposition continues to make sense. You’re not just paying for specs on a page. You’re paying for a design language and build philosophy that has been shaped by decades of professional use.

Anthracite SAR Collection from Marathon lined up on FKM rubber straps — Available in 36mm, 41mm, and 46mm

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46mm JDD on wrist, part of the Anthracite SAR Collection from Marathon — 46mm JDD in Anthracite from Marathon

Availability and Pricing

The Anthracite SAR collection will be available exclusively through Marathon’s website, with pricing ranging from approximately $1,900 to $3,750 CAD, depending on model and configuration. It’s not entry-level money, but in the context of professional-grade dive watches with genuine military lineage, it remains very much in Marathon’s familiar “serious tool watch at a fair price” territory.

About the Author

Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.

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