NATO supplied Watch with Tritium H3 GTLS lights & composite low mass construction & flat no glinting surfaces: Marathon Watch WW194004 General Purpose Quartz Swiss Made Military Field Army Watch (GPQ) with Tritium and Sapphire Crystal (34mm) (Desert Tan - US Gov't)

The latest & last for this year addition to my wristwatch collection. I have wanted a Tritium H3 illuminated wrist watch ever since I added night sights to my compact polymer EDC device with this technology a few years ago. Made in Switzerland, Designed in Canada // get one at https://www.marathonwatch.com 

This Marathon model supplied to NATO for military forces around the world, in this case those working for the Pentagon or Defense contractors from America or its allies. It reminds me strongly of a unit I was once supplied with & forced to return upon leaving that USAP's program. The most expensive analog quartz wristwatch I have ever purchased at $287 total with tax & shipping (signature required & attempted delivery when I was at work, took 16 days to arrive too). I would normally only spend that much on an exception automatic, like a Seiko 5 or similar, Eco-drive Citizen or somewhere absolutely amazing from CASIO. The exact model of Marathon watch 

Marathon Watch WW194004 General Purpose Quartz Swiss Made Military Field Army Watch (GPQ) with Tritium and Sapphire Crystal (34mm) (Desert Tan - US Gov't)

The General Purpose Quartz is made from a highly durable, impact resistant fibershell case that is water resistant to 3 atmospheres (30 meters - 100 feet), sweat resistant and will not yield to the elements, is antimagnetic & has a passive matte finish. This matte finish aids in protecting infantry positions as this finish does not provide a reflective surface which would occur on a normal metal case. Fibershell is also an extremely lightweight material, an important factor on the battlefield where every ounce counts.

The General Purpose Quartz is made in La Chaux de Fonds Switzerland to provides the highest level of quality and accuracy in manufacturing. Powered by a Swiss made, high torque, 3 jewel ETA F06 Quartz movement, the watch ensures a high degree of accuracy in timekeeping. The ETA F06 is accurate to -0.3/+0.5 seconds per day and also includes an End of Life (EOL) indicator that will advance the seconds hand once every 4 seconds to inform you that a battery change is needed.

The General Purpose Quartz uses self-contained Tritium filled glass tubes lined with zinc selenide phosphor that glows in response to the low energy beta decay electron particles emitted by the decaying Tritium or H3 gas with a half-life of 12.8 years. These auto illuminating tubes dim over time & eventually have to be replaced. I will be contacting Marathon in Canada to inquire about this shortly. A GTLS tube placed on each hour marker and hand. Tritium tubes are self illuminating gas tubes which contain an isotope of hydrogen, meaning they do not dull down in brightness as fast as  normal photo-luminescent paint which requires an external light source to create a glow, which can be redone at a later date, just like the GTLS tubes can be replaced to improve optical performance in the future. 

The company that was to become Marathon Watch was founded in 1904 as Weinstrum Watch, later to be named Wein Brothers. In 1939, Morris Wein founded Marathon Watch, supplying fine precision timepieces throughout North America. Since 1941, Marathon has been manufacturing timing instruments for the Allied Forces, and today the fourth generation of the family continues the tradition with a wide range of instruments measuring time, temperature and distance. Marathon watches combine military durability with Swiss engineering and craftsmanship to ensure the highest level of quality and precision. Marathon products are manufactured with the utmost care and go through various quality control measures. This attention to quality is supported by a commitment to excellent customer support to ensure the best possible product experience.

ETA F06 3 Jewel Quartz Movement Specs 

• Outside Diameter:25.6 mm
• Movement 2.50 mm thick
• Height from bottom of watch movement to top of sweep second pinion 4.0 mm
• Has a date display at 3:00
• Requires watch cell 371
• Stem number 401-1519
• Requires watch hands: hour 1.20, minute .70, and sweep second .20 mm
• Has 3 jewels
• Replaces discontinued movement: 955.114
• ETA® quartz movement
• Gold plated
• Swiss assembled

Refer to this website for battery change information & other info about the ETA F06 3 Jewel Quartz Movement https://calibercorner.com/eta-caliber-f06-115/

For a replacement movement see https://www.esslinger.com/eta-3-hand-quartz-watch-movement-f06-111-date-at-3-00-overall-height-4-0mm/

To replace the GTLS tubes, contact Marathon Watches https://www.marathonwatch.com

I already sent an official message to Marathon.com watch company in Canada, inquiring about how to order a replacement set of GTLS tritium vials in the dial when the OEM units dim after about 12.5 years // I will post the correspondence bellow once its obtained via my email.