The bezel is bi-directional and comprised of the same material of the case. The bezel design allows for multiple time zones which is quite helpful in military and law enforcement fields. The bezel is also lumed at the pip. The Duvdaven Navigator is fitted with a 27mm Hesalite crystal. The Hesalite will certainly mark up easily especially since it is raised above the bezel slightly. Replacement should be less expensive than a mineral or sapphire crystal, so the Hesalite is the perfect option keeping cost minimal. While I mentioned earlier that the case including the crown measures 43mm, due to the size of the dial opening, the watch doesn’t have the illusion of a watch larger than stated specifications. The piece will wear fairly true to size.
Beneath the crystal, a black dial notes both standard and military time. All numerical markers and branding information are painted on the dial in white. Due to all of the dial hour, minute markings, and the branding, the appearance may seem quite cramped to many. A white date window is positioned between the 4 and 5, which is of good size and quite legible. Probably the nicest aspect of the Navigator model is the H3 T25 tritium tubes surrounding the dial providing lume. The encapsulated tubes are applied at each hour marker surrounding the dial. The tubes glow green except at the 12, which is orange. The white enamel hour and minute hands have a tritium tube encapsulated on each. The pip on the bezel also uses a tube for lume, totaling 15 tritium tubes on a sub $300 watch. The size of the tubes is quite small, so the lume isn’t extremely powerful but is still rather adequate. No tube or lume is present on the second hand. It would be nice to see slightly larger tubes on the Navigator; however, the cost would then be slightly higher.
Besides the stainless steel lug bars mentioned earlier, the only other aspect of the outer case that is stainless steel is the case back. The case back is the pop off variety, which I’m fairly certain plays into the low cost of the model. The case back, like any other Marathon model, has various specification information etched into the surface. Beneath the case back is an ETA F06 3 jewel quartz movement, which is a high torque movement, including an end of life indicator -meaning that when the battery life is low, the second hand of the watch will skip 4 seconds at a time. I really appreciate the fact that even though Marathon designed the Navigator series to be rugged and durable, they didn’t overlook the need for a quality quartz movement. Personally I am a fan of the ETA quartz movement over the Ronda and Japanese alternatives.
Jon
Plastic case, plastic crystal, quartz movement, nylon strap, hideous color, all for $300? The tritium lume is nice, but no thanks.
Bruce
If you’re somebody that wants a reliable watch steady movement in a work environment perfect watch I actually have one. I have to walk through metal detectors and it doesn’t go off I’m not worried about it getting damaged it’s a work men’s watch, not a Submariner. You can actually get it brand new for a hundred and fifty.
X2Eliah
I agree with Jon, this doesn’t seem like a good deal, considering how you can get any generic quartz noname beater for, what, 10$ or so?
Also, the “duvdevan” constantly reads as “dude van” to me.
ShaksBestwatchbrands
I agree with the above. Not my favorite color in a watch. I wonder how many people have bought this? Pass on this.
ShakD.
Cedric Satterfield
These Nav watches are great. Ive owned several in various iterations in the last 10 years as they add and shed features and cosmetics, and every one of them is still in the field, with a new owner, still running, and my trade/resale value was almost the same as new. They are hard wearing, easy to maintain, easy to buff out scratches, and don’t fog up or fail at altitudes. Wonderful watches.
dan cotton
well,yes if you’re after a weekend warrior ‘beater’ you can get a piece of shit quartz crap for 3 quid If you want a milspec watch with specific,tested and proven qualities then this is it The duvdevan wasn’t made for its looks,but for a specific brief It can withstand ‘real’ wr of 200 ft,not 200m don’t wash with it wr Ordinary watches bugger up at g forces and altitude,but if it’s the fashionistas you’re doing battle with,go elsewhere 100 odd quid for a military tested watch is a steal and you should be grateful it’s available to civvies It’s light,easy to fix,long battery,accurate,can handle any shock,but in the winebars of soho,it won’t do much for you You can even put a ‘real’ strap on it if you want to?Bloody hell,civilians whineing about a military watch not looking the part Please,don’t buy this The chinese quartz crap watches need you to purchase their shiny crap
Bruce
Well said! I work at a fast pace environment and it gets dinged all the time I don’t worry about 1 bit. I like the fact that it looks like a normal lunch but I know what’s making it tick and when the guy next to me chose up with the new Timex and I still have the same watch on it makes me feel a little good inside same battery same strap. However, the chap next to me is buying a new watch every year you pay what you get for.
Bruce
Sorry for the misspelling I was using voice to text.
dan cotton
Hesalite crystal for pressure forces,fibreshell for shock and knocks,design for light,un-obtrusive wear in a combat situation As an ex-sapper,its non-mag sig would have been far better than the crap they issued us with 95% of all sappers went to silvermans and bought watches they could trust their lives on Buy a jagarar,pretty watch,jag-offs