Every collection starts somewhere, and for many people interested in real military watches, it starts with a Marathon. Reference WW194009BK-0101, the General Purpose Quartz in black with MaraGlo lume and a clean dial, is an excellent first field watch: 34mm, Swiss quartz, sapphire crystal and built to a genuine military specification.

What makes it a great entry point is that nothing is watered down. The GPQ is made to MIL-PRF-46374G, Type I, Class 1, by a company that has produced military timepieces since 1941 and still supplies the Canadian and U.S. militaries. The black dial carries no government markings, only the MARATHON name, along with 12- and 24-hour scales and MaraGlo lume on the markers and hands that charges in light and glows for several hours. There is nothing to wind and nothing to fuss over.

The black fibreshell composite case is 34mm across and 11mm thick, comfortable and light enough for all-day wear. Inside, a Swiss ETA F06 high-torque quartz movement keeps accurate time. A black one-piece nylon strap completes a watch that works for school, the office, the gym and the trail.

Marathon GPQ MaraGlo NGM Details

• Reference: WW194009BK-0101
• Case: 34mm black fibreshell, 11mm thick
• Movement: Swiss quartz, ETA F06 high-torque
• Water resistance: 3 ATM
• Crystal: sapphire; pressure crown
• Lume: MaraGlo photoluminescent
• Dial: black, no government markings
• Strap: black one-piece nylon

The right first step into military watches.