new Garmin MARQ Commander

1 October 2019

the5krunner

8 Comments

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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.

October 2019: Sports Watch Update: All new & current Bike/Run/Tri/Fitness Models with GPS. Rumors + replacement dates for Garmin, Polar, Suunto, Wahoo, Fitbit

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Brian Reiter

7 months ago

At $1950 they aren’t really targeting soldiers — even officers. Is the target market for this thing mercenaries?

Fred

Supporter

Reply to Brian Reiter

7 months ago

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.

web

Reply to Brian Reiter

7 months ago

Haha..ridiculous pricing..just dont tell your wife

Brian Reiter

7 months ago

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.

Fred

Supporter

Reply to Brian Reiter

7 months ago

“I´m baffled as to who is going to buy this one though.”

Well-funded domestic terrorists? Survivalist nut-jobs?

the5krunner

Author

Reply to Brian Reiter

7 months ago

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

Brian Reiter

Reply to the5krunner

7 months ago

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.

the5krunner

Author

Reply to Brian Reiter

7 months ago

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!

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