White dial, brushed steel, summer light: the Marathon MSAR Auto WW194026SS-0504 has an easy, sunny character that sets it apart from the usual black-dial diver. Underneath, it is every bit the 36mm Swiss automatic search-and-rescue watch Marathon is known for, presented here in Arctic white on a stainless steel bracelet.

A white dial on a steel bracelet reads lighter and more casual on the wrist, pairing as easily with linen shirts and shorts as with a fleece. It also happens to be extremely practical at the beach or on a boat, where bright sun makes high-contrast black hands easy to pick out at a glance. The Standard-Issue dial keeps things uncluttered, with no government insignia, just the Marathon name and a date at 4:30. Tritium gas tubes handle the evening, glowing steadily through dinner on the dock and the walk home.

The fundamentals are pure tool watch. Rated to 300 meters, sealed with a guarded screw-down crown, topped with sapphire crystal and driven by a Sellita SW200-1 self-winding movement, it is ready for snorkeling, surfing, or a dive. At 36mm with 18mm lugs, the MSAR is a comfortable choice for medium and smaller wrists that want water capability without bulk.

Key Specifications

• Reference: Marathon WW194026SS-0504, MSAR Auto (Arctic)
• Case: 36mm 316L stainless steel, brushed, near 14mm thick
• Lug width: 18mm
• Movement: Swiss Sellita SW200-1 automatic, 26 jewels, roughly 41 hours
• Water resistance: 30 ATM / 1000ft
• Crystal: sapphire
• Lume: tritium gas tubes with MaraGlo bezel pip
• Dial and bracelet: white Arctic dial, no government markings; stainless steel bracelet

A bright, capable diver for the warm months and beyond.