US Navy Portable Self-Contained Marathon Marine Chronometer -- From 2003...Last series manufactured ending 200+ year tradition. New old stock example of a scarce US Navy Marine Chronometer manufactured by the Marathon Watch Company, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. Background: The US Government asked three suppliers: Marathon, Waltham and Timex to develop a replacement for the famous Hamilton Model 21 mechanical chronometer developed during WWII. This model by the Marathon Watch Company was originally developed in the late 1980s and sold in several contracts in the early 1990s. A final and last contract of this improved model was delivered to the US Navy in late 2003. Original cost was $1500+ for this chronometer. Description: Unit measures 7.5" x 7.5" x 6.5" and was hand manufactured in Switzerland. The heart of the unit is a specially adjusted German Quartz jeweled movement powered by a single AA battery. A capacitor provides power for the unit when the battery is changed. A spare battery compartment is housed internally adjacent to the movement. The unit is housed in a nautical fiberglass molded case with recessed grab handle on the underside to allow easy one handed carrying. The dial is extremely legible with black Arabic numerals on a white background. The unit is signed "Marathon", "US Government" and "Swiss" on the dial. The unit will be supplied sealed in the original government foil packaging. To install the battery, simply unscrew the 12 Phillips head screws (6 on each side), carefully separate the unit and install the new supplied battery in the movement. Alternatively, I can open the unit and install the battery if desired. Guaranteed authentic! Great addition to any chronometer collection.....use as master time source on your yacht or display!
