Astor + Banks Sea Ranger M2vsMarathon Steel Navigator SSNAV-D Auto

The Astor + Banks Sea Ranger M2 is widely praised for its balanced design, excellent legibility, and strong GADA (go-anywhere, do-anything) capabilities, featuring 300m water resistance and a scratch-resistant coating. Reviewers note its comfortable 40mm case size and good lume, though one source describes it as good but not great. The movement is a Sellita SW200 adjusted by the brand, with accuracy reported around ±8 seconds per day. The pre-order price is $650, with a standard price of $850. On balance, reviewers find the Astor + Banks Sea Ranger M2 to be a compelling option due to its functional design and robust specifications.

The Marathon Steel Navigator SSNAV-D Auto is praised for its durable construction, featuring a sandblasted steel case with improved lugs, a bi-directional bezel with excellent action, and 100m water resistance. Owners appreciate the constant visibility provided by self-illuminating tritium gas tubes and the precision of its ETA F06.412 quartz movement, which offers accuracy to about 10 seconds per year. The watch includes a GMT bezel for dual timekeeping and a synthetic sapphire crystal. Overall, owners and reviewers rate the Marathon Steel Navigator SSNAV-D Auto highly for its robust tool-watch design and reliable tritium illumination.