Today, the Jeep name is associated with off-roading, overlanding, and living a worry-free, boundaryless life. But 83 years ago, this term was used only by US military personnel. People who served were the ones who witnessed a seemingly simple motorized revolution first-hand. That addition helped change the course of World War II. Then, it favored the appearance of an iconic civilian ride.
Jeep is America's first mass-producer of four-wheel-drive vehicles, and it is the Willys MB (aka one of the two US Army trucks) that made it all possible. The light military utility vehicle wasn't much to look at or something you would want to drive spiritedly on rough roads, but it helped the US defeat its enemies. President Dwight D. Eisenhower famously called it "one of the three decisive weapons the US had during the Second World War."
It didn't take long before the story of the Willys MB spread around. It became a legend in no time. Appreciated for being durable, tough, and versatile, the light piece of equipment received much praise from almost everyone. The Ford "Pygmy" had a lot of potential, too. However, soldiers felt that it was underpowered. Still, Ford helped Willys-Overland accelerate production. It made the Willys MB according to the company's indications.
Four years later, in 1945, that powerful ethos helped bring forward the civilian-ready Jeep CJ-2A.
Fast forward to 2024, and Jeep is an internationally known brand and a favorite of those who want more than a commuting appliance or a wannabe SUV. It's one heck of a story, one that proves clever engineering, simplicity, hard work, and a little bit of luck can foster the creation of a global symbol of endurance.
Marathon Watches – a company with longstanding military roots – and Jeep both know that there's more that can be done with that legacy. They partnered up to bring us four brand-new timepieces that make great use of their shared passion for utilitarian design. It's a celebration of the authentic Americana spirit.
Photo: Marathon Watch
The watch company, with a history spanning over 83 years, created two categories: the General Purpose Officer's Series and the Search and Rescue Series. Each category contains two watches.
The former is a hint at the possible origin of the "jeep" term. Some believe that soldiers abbreviated "general purpose" into "GP," which then simply became "jeep." Marathon created two 41-millimeter watches that boast a reinterpreted appearance of the original timepieces issued to WWII soldiers. Both include references to the Jeep Wrangler 1941 Limited Edition and have a black dial stored in a steel case with a parkerized finish, which is supposed to provide increased wear resistance. Depending on your preference and budget, the watchmaker envisioned hand-wound mechanical (SSGPM) and quartz (SSGPQ) versions. A Swiss-made movement drives both and will set you back between $500 and $650.
The latter series embodies the timeless and practical military look but also includes subtle hints at the same Jeep Wrangler 1941 Limited Edition. Since life as a soldier can be quite complicated and adventurous, both watches have a certified water resistance of 300 meters (984 feet). Knowing what time it is in almost any condition and almost everywhere is guaranteed by the tritium gas tubes that glow in the dark. Both watches have a Swiss movement and boast the automaker's iconic seven-slot grille.
The Search and Rescue timepieces are a bit more special, so they're costlier. The one with the automatic movement has a price of $1,500, while the quartz version is $300 cheaper.
Finally, all four watches proudly display Jeep's "Go Anywhere, Do Anything" motto, and you can place an order for your favorite one.
Car shows on TV and his father's Fiat Tempra may have been Florin's early influences, but nowadays he favors different things, like the power of an F-150 Raptor. He'll never be able to ignore the shape of a Ferrari though, especially a yellow one. Full profile
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