Marathon GPQ-D (Officer's Quartz with Date) FieldvsVaer Tradition
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Measurements
Catalog photos are all shot at the same flattering size. These aren't: every case below shares one millimeter scale.

GPQ-D (Officer's Quartz with Date) Field

Tradition
Diameter
36mm
36mm
Lug-to-Lug
44mm
43mm
lowest
Thickness
11mm
8.4mm
lowest
Water Resistance
30m
100m
highest
MSRP
$650
$179
lowest
Movement
Swiss High-Torque Quartz (3J, EOL)
Quartz
Case
4 specsCrystal & Dial
1 specsMovement
1 specsPricing
1 specsReviews
Synthesized for each watch independently from owner discussions, enthusiast forums, written reviews, and video reviewers.
Owners widely praise the Marathon GPQ-D (Officer's Quartz with Date) Field Watch for its tritium tubes, Mil-spec designation, and scratch-resistant case finish, with some feeling it is overlooked in field watch discussions. However, some owners criticize its perceived overpriced nature, thick case, and squared-off lugs that do not hug the wrist well, while others note its composite case material and 30m water resistance as practical for field use. On balance, owners rate the Marathon GPQ-D (Officer's Quartz with Date) Field Watch highly for its practical field-oriented features and durable construction, despite some concerns about its value proposition and case design.
Owners widely praise the Vaer Tradition for its excellent finishing and value, with many highlighting its comfortable 36mm size and versatile, clean design. The screw-down crown is noted for its smooth operation, and the lume is described as bright. However, some owners find the single-domed sapphire crystal to be highly reflective, and there are mixed opinions on the stainless steel bracelet's end links, with some finding them awkward. One owner reported a quartz model felt cheap with a second hand that didn't align with the indices, while another experienced dust inside two separate watches. Overall, owners rate the Vaer Tradition highly for its wearability and build quality at its price point.
The American-assembled Ameriquartz movement offers extreme accuracy for the price. The 36mm case size is ideal for smaller wrists.
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