The Garmin Marq Carbon Version is so ridiculously ostentatious I simply should have one

Garmin has introduced a brand new model of the Marq known as the Marq Carbon Version. There are three variations that align with Garmin’s goal audiences – the Marq Athlete, Marq Golfer and the Marq Commander – and because the title suggests, they change titanium for fused carbon fibre.

Beloved by sports activities vehicles and cyclists, carbon fibre is lighter and stronger than titanium, and it is the following degree of efficiency luxurious for many individuals. What Garmin is doing right here is popping the dial on its most premium devices. The bottom mannequin comes from the Garmin Fenix, evolves into the Garmin Epix, after which the Marq – with the Marq Carbon Version being essentially the most ostentatious of those gadgets up to now. And naturally, that is why I would like one.

The Garmin Marq Carbon has a 46mm case, which makes use of 130 layers of Fused Carbon Fibre. Every layer rotates barely because it’s laid down, with warmth and strain used to fuse the brand new case collectively into the specified watch case form. The result’s lovely carbon fibre patterning operating by the physique of those watches.

The Marq Carbon Commander is clearly essentially the most reliable of those three gadgets. It screams Tier 1 Operator to me (or maybe armchair warrior – no matter), with a UTC-marked bezel (Coordinated Common Time, which the army makes use of) and a Jacquard-Weave Nylon strap. In fact, it additionally incorporates a stealth mode and ballistics solver – options I might by no means want to make use of – nevertheless it’s good to know they’re there.

The Athlete has VO2 Max and restoration markings across the bezel, whereas the Golfer – pre-loaded with 43,000 programs – has 1-18 gap markings across the bezel. At their core, these gadgets provide the identical set of options that different high-end Garmins do, together with full-colour mapping, an AMOLED touchscreen and all these well being sensors for exercise monitoring. Just like the Epix, the Marq has domed glass over the show for added opulence, and it seems to be superb.

However the craftsmanship actually screams “purchase me!” concerning the new Garmin Marq Carbon. Garmin has taken its watches from a polycarbonate physique proper by to a extremely fascinating strong carbon fibre physique, and the refined patterning that you just get by these gadgets from that Fused Carbon Fibre is extra such as you’d get from premium watchmakers. We all know from the watch market that individuals are blissful to spend huge bucks on wristwear, and Garmin needs to faucet into that.

I have been a fan of the Fenix for a while – and have loyally worn a Garmin Fenix for the final couple of years. It is a strong sports activities watch, and it is good sufficient – though it is not fairly as good because the Apple Watch Ultra 2 or Pixel Watch 2 in relation to linked options, like funds or replying to messages. However the battery life is realistically 10x higher than these rival smartwatches and the mixing into wider sensors and sports activities by the Garmin ecosystem is superb.

Garmin/ Pocket-lint

Garmin Marq Golfer (Gen 2) – Carbon Version

However then you definately come to the value. The Marq is an costly gadget – retailing for $2100 or £1900 – however when you go for the Carbon version, you are taking a look at an $800 bump. It is an eye-watering worth for a Garmin, however maybe that is the purpose. Whenever you take a look at the smartwatch market proper now, there are actually too manufacturers which are killing it: the Apple Watch is all over the place, however those that do not have an Apple Watch have a Garmin. If you happen to’re a fan of watches, you may know that sporting the identical watch as everybody else is the largest no-no. You need to be distinct, and also you need folks to know that you just selected one thing for a purpose.

That distinction comes with the Marq Carbon. There are a great deal of Fenix, fairly a couple of Epix and a few Marq wearers, however having the Marq Carbon will actually set you aside.