Update, 13 October 2026: This is the original 2019 MARQ Commander. Garmin launched MARQ Gen 3 today, including a new Commander at $3,100 with an Applied Ballistics solver, LTE and satellite. See the specifications for the original MARQ, MARQ Gen 2 and MARQ Gen 3.
Garmin has just announced a new MARQ variant, this time it is the COMMANDER, which is a TACTICAL watch.
These are the only ‘new’ or restricted features that I see it has
- Jumpmaster, Tactical & Expedition modes
- Orienteering (!?)
- Night Vision mode
- Lighter than the ATHLETE coming in at 87 g (94 g with silicone rubber) vs 94g
- Same nylon strap as the CAPTAIN which fits wrists with a circumference of 135-213 mm
- Diamond-like Carbon (DLC) coated titanium BEZEL and CASE.
It’s listed as a “Modern tool watch with topographic maps and tactical functions” and comes in at a hefty $1950.00
In related news, the EXPEDITION mode has been renamed to ADVENTURER. Make of that what you will.
This TACTICAL variant release is in line with developments in the Fenix and Instinct ranges. For example, we recently saw the Garmin Instinct Coyote which is also billed as a TACTICAL watch.
Last Updated on 13 October 2026 by the5krunner
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin from any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafe stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
- Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable insoles that are good. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: I’ve just bought one.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home. I use it.
Health, recovery and sleep
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Kineon MOVE+: Red light therapy for niggles. It works.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID
At $1950 they aren’t really targeting soldiers — even officers. Is the target market for this thing mercenaries?
Haha that made me laugh! I first thought it was one of those Garmin Star Wars watches for adults…I mean “Commander”. With “Sabre duel” as a sports profile.
Haha..ridiculous pricing..just dont tell your wife
I actually met someone in real life a couple of years ago on Safari at Motopos in Zimbabwe who had a Chronos.
I think there is a market for these devices but the retail strategy seems really strange. Like the Mariner one should be sold at the yacht dealers that sell the Garmin navigation gear for Yachts. The driver one should be sold at high end car dealerships as an add-on to your Porsche Boxster. Wherever light aircraft are sold is where the aviation one should be sold. Bike shops that sell high-end tri gear should sell the Athlete. You should be able to buy an Explorer where you kit up for an Everest expedition. Etc.
I’m baffled as to who is going to buy this one though.
“I´m baffled as to who is going to buy this one though.”
Well-funded domestic terrorists? Survivalist nut-jobs?
yes the retail distribution for all the MARQ watches is different. It would be interesting to understand the marketing logic.
maybe the distribution just follows the money (the money of the buyers). sell the marq driver in a bugatti showroom…that kind of thing
My understanding is that is exactly not how Garmin is selling the MARQ. But I think they should.
What I understand they are actually doing is retailing through traditional jewelry watch dealers.
yes i have done a few Googles and saw them in traditional jewelry stores. I wasn’t surprised they were there as such, i just assumed they would be elsewhere as well.
I suppose breaking into new outlets (eg the fabled Bugatti dealership above) would be impossible.
My bet would be that a large chunk of sales will eventually ship straight from Garmin.com….which must save them 30% on an already expensive watch…kerching!