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| Joined: | Wed May 9th, 2007 |
| Location: | Nashville, Tennessee USA |
| Posts: | 196 |
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Many, if not most of you are far more familiar with the SAR than I am.. don't know why it took me so long to get around to this one. This is the D-SAR, delivered w/ mis-marked H3 dial on a luminova watch. Sold at discount, the dial issue is immaterial to me. Watch was purchased as a base for dial & hand modifications.
Actual issue watches, the SAR (Search & Rescue) is made by the Marathon Watch Company to Canadian Mil Spec. (..hence the maple leaf on clasp) Sturdy and robust, I'm finding this watch a pleasant surprise. Online watch purchases (sight unseen) are a little risky by nature. Having read several posts that complained the SAR was on the small side, I was prepared to be underwhelmed. That fear was completely groundless. True, bezel diameter (outer edge to outer grooved edge) of ~41.3mm is a little smaller than the behemoths we're used to these days, but much of that visual mass is gained back by the chunky 5mm bezel height. On the wrist the SAR's "stack" height is an impressive sight. ~46.5mm wide (including crown), ~47.5mm measured lugtip to lugtip, and ~13.8mm thick this watch, while not oversized, is certainly not small in my book.
A "Search & Rescue" watch, not officially considered a diver.. the SAR's 2.8mm thick sapphire crystal is overkill for a 300m watch. Thick crystal combined with deep chapter ring contribute to a distinct "looking into the watch" feel when reading the time. Crown size and function is top notch.
The Cyclops the SAR is delivered with stirs controversy. At my age, I'm removed from the love-it or hate-it discussion. I need it. End of story! OTOH, the comparatively wide gap between crystal and dial which allows the installation of tritium tubes in G-SAR & T-SAR variants, also permits the crystal to be "flipped", locating the cyclops on the inner surface. Gonna give this a shot I believe.
Drilled lugs, bespoke bracelet w/ solid endlinks, ~3.25mm solid "oyster" type links w/ screw-bars rather than spilt pins... All I can say is we sure weren't issued this quality gear back when I was active duty!
While lume intensity & duration is not quite on a par w/ Omega's Seamaster Pro, or Seiko's Lumibrite divers.. it's much better than just adequate, and verges on excellent.
At ~163g (sized for a 7.5" wrist) the SAR is noticeable, but far from uncomfortable. A solid weighty feel, not a heavy weighty feel.
I've worn this watch exclusively for a couple of weeks before posting, just to make sure my favorable impression wasn't just "new watch glow". Don't believe that's the case. This solid diver strikes me as hitting all the right notes, nicely finished but not "flashy", good sized while avoiding "oversized", impressive wrist presence.. but still subtle. The SAR holds the eye once noticed, but it doesn't go out of it's way to attract attention.
So far I think it's just "spot on". Don't know why I didn't acquire one sooner.
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Last edited on Fri Aug 3rd, 2007 12:37 pm by Danny S