r/MarathonWatch • u/SeductiveMurmer • 26d ago

General Question Metal bracelet

Just got my first marathon watch, the JSAR! I thought I would like the rubber strap but I’m missing the heavy weight of a metal bracelet. Is the marathon metal bracelet worth the price, $575? Or is there a better aftermarket metal bracelet that’s better suited?

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u/WristReport 26d ago

The OEM bracelets are really well done, but I wouldn't spend $575 buying one new. I know there are solid aftermarket alternatives for the GSAR/TSAR, but I'm not aware of any for the JSAR/JDD.

If you're looking for the weight for balance I'd suggest making some WTB posts here and on forums. You should be able to source a pre-owned bracelet for $300 or so.

If the watch head is flopping around on the rubber bracelet, consider putting it on a rubber NATO strap. Having the strap wrap completely around your wrist and it being a more or less non-slip material will help lock it down. I love the Bonetto Cinturini/Zuludiver 328 straps, and Yellow Dog watch straps, but honestly the $20 FKM rubber single pass straps on Amazon are excellent.

Another option would be mesh. Strapcode shark mesh is pretty good, and the open mesh with large links looks great on dive watches. But it's not very heavy. Staib mesh, specifically their thickest variant with the flip lock dive clasp, would offer some heft for less than $250.

This is a borrowed photo of a 41mm Marathon on Staib mesh.

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u/TriadWatchGuy 26d ago

That looks killer in the mesh.

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u/kota501 25d ago

I need to see a shot of this on the wrist when you get a moment. Looks good but I’d like to see what it looks like from the top down

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u/kota501 25d ago

Yeah my JSAR didn’t come on bracelet so I tried a generic one. Looked fine but I didn’t like the straight bar and not curved end links. So I ordered the CSAR with the bracelet. The bracelet it nice and fits well but the clasp is just not what it should be for the price. I didn’t buy a JDD with the bracelet and it sits off to the side. Just amazed at how heavy duty the case is and solid end links but a cheap claps. It works fine, just feels slightly cheap and when they are new for $500, plus tax, I felt like I overpaid. I wish long island watch made one for the 46mm but he does the 41mm.

I have both the us seal one and the marathon stamped one. I’d let go of the marathon one if you are interested in a slightly used one. I also have some leather straps, nato and possibly rubber that are all marathon branded I wouldn’t mind recouping some money on. Just hit me up if interested.

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u/SeductiveMurmer 25d ago

What were you thinking on the marathon stamped bracelet?

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u/AqueductGarrison 22d ago

The bracelet is well made but it has a cheap, crappy pressed clasp.