1985 Gallet Marathon GG-W-113 - US Air Force issue
Rare watch in very good condition with original strap
£925.00
Out of stock
The GG-W-113 specification was introduced in 1967 to provide a high quality watch for US military aircrew. It superseded the earlier Mil-W-3818B specification and like the 3818 featured higher grade movements than the more widely issued Mil-W-46374 series, as well as hacking seconds. A number of large contracts were let to Hamilton and Benrus but two other manufactures also supplied watches to this specification - Marathon and Glycine - each supplying watches for just one year- the Marathon watch in 1984/85 and the Glycine (badged 'Glycine-Altus') in 1985/86.
The Marathon watch was manufactured for them by the Swiss company Gallet, establishing a relationship with Gallet that later resulted in the Adanac and Marathon Navigators was supplied to the US Government, as well as other watches.
The Gallet Marathon GG-W-113 is signed 'Gallet' on the inside and outside of the case back, and on the main gear train bridge of the movement. The case is almost identical to the case used for CWC G10s of the period, except it has 16mm lug width - to accommodate the standard US issue 16mm straps) instead of 18mm. This is not a coincidence, as Gallet also manufactured watches for CWC (and the Southern Clock and Watch brand Precista, including the 19832 'Fatboy' G10). The case back is the same in design as the 1980-82 CWC/Precista Fatboy G10s (and the 1984 Precista 6BB G10), except with no battery hatch. This was not a requirement as the watch is powered by an ETA 2801-based mechanical movement.
The Gallet Marathon GG-W-113 in particular has a very attractive dial layout, being the only GG-W-113 to have 'US Government' signed on the dial.
This example, dated January 1985, is in very condition all round and has been the subject of a recent service, as detailed in the condition report, and is complete with its original black nylon US government issue single pass strap.
Good, but unserviced, examples of this watch have been selling in excess of £1000 in recent years, so this serviced example with original strap represents good value for money.
The watch case is in very clean cosmetic condition with minor marks and small knocks from use. The case back has some very faint strap burn and gives the impression of being little used. The dial and hands are excellent with nicely aged tritium lume. The lume omn the hands retains the buttery-cream colour typical of these watches. The crystal is in very good condition. Please refer to the images to make your own judgement about the condition of the watch.
Mechanically the watch had a full stripdown, clean and service in February 2026, including new back gasket and crown gasket. Images of the rebuild have been included in the listing.
The case parts were ultrasonically cleaned. The ETA 2801 movement was fully stripped, mechanically and ultrasonically cleaned using waterless solutions and hot air dried. The movement was rebuilt and lubricated the rebuild included a new mainspring.
The watch has been fully tested and is in full working order. It has been regulated and on the bench is running with good amplitude, 0.0ms beat error and accuracy within a few seconds per day. An image has been included in the listing showing the timegrapher readings. Note that over time and in use accuracy may differ from this figure.
All round an excellent, fully sorted example, or a rare and desirable US Air Force issued watch on its original strap.
The watch is absolutely suitable for everyday use, but it is vintage watch so is not recommended for sports or use in extreme conditions. The watch has not been pressure tested so water resistance is not guaranteed. This watch is covered by our non-waterproof 6 month guarantee.
Issued: Yes
Issue details: US Government - US Air Force/Special Forces
Date of manufacture: January 1985
Movement: ETA 2801 (Gallet signed)
Diameter: 36mm
Lug width: 16mm
Hacking: Yes
Case back: Snap
Screwdown crown: No
Bracelet: US Government black nylon single pass
US Air Force issue
Issued January 1985
ETA 2801
Recently serviced
Very good condition
Supplied on original US Government black nylon strap
6 months non-waterproof guarantee
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