Garmin MARQ 2nd Gen
The cream of Garmin’s crop has landed. The 2nd generation MARQ range of watches represents the pinnacle of sports watch luxury a-la-Garmin, although a cynic would say that they are merely the Garmin Epix 2 (Fenix 7 AMOLED) inside a superior shell. That’s mostly true but there are a few extra features also thrown in for good measure, albeit they are somewhat trivial features.
MARQ 2nd Generation – the range
The six subtle variations to the various MARQ 2 models are these
- MARQ 2 Adventurer (Outdoor version – the top-end Fenix/Epix with orienteering options)
- MARQ 2 Aviator (Top-end D2 Mach 1)
- MARQ 2 Athlete (Sports version – I guess it’s the top-end Enduro)
- MARQ 2 Golfer (Top-end Approach)
- MARQ 2 Captain (Marine version, the top-end Quatix)
MARQ 2 Driver (Automotive/racing version…not launching today, maybe never!)
Prices range from $/£/Eu1,900 to $/£/Eu2,400
What to watch out for
The superior quality materials are generally heavier than the cheaper Fenix/Epix/Forerunner equivalents. A few 10s of grams are no big shakes in the grand scheme of things unless you are working out, then the extra weight will impact the quality of the optical heart rate readings and possibly slightly so on the GPS as well.
Be mindful that even Grade 5 Titanium can scratch as can the Sapphire Crystal lens. These watches are not bullet proof but they are more adventure-proof than some of the ‘lesser’ Garmin models, although even the Fenix 7 Sapphire has, err, a sapphire screen and also a Titanium shell (Grade 2?).
You will get new feature updates for 2-3 years and continuous bug fixes as and when they are found but in 18-24 months’ time there will probably be a new, more feature-superior Fenix 8 which will have hardware components and new features than your fancy MARQ 2 can never have. That’s the problem with ‘digital’ watches compared to the lifetime investment you make in some analogue watches.
Other things of interest
There is a new USB-C charger from Garmin. I have to say I welcome innovation on this front as the existing (old?!) chargers cause me no end of grief. Let’s hope it works properly.
Whichever model you are interested in will get all the features of the cheaper base model plus those announced since it was launched – so the MARQ2 Adventurer will get everything the Epix 2 has plus everything in the latest tranche of features currently pending release.
Take Out
For £/$/Eu2000 give or take a few thousand you get the best that Garmin offers in your area of sport.
If you want to read a detailed review of the Garmin MARQ 2 Adventurer then it’s best to head over to my Garmin Epix 2 Review and just read MARQ instead of Epix and imagine that the shell is better. However, if you do check out that review you will be pleased to learn that I rate it as the best sports watch...ever. Simply put Garmin has nailed the battery life conundrum for watches with pretty AMOLED screens. Garmin nailed the volume of features years ago and is now actively working on improving how the Marq/Epix/Fenix look, feel and work on your wrist as you interact with them…that’s very much still a work in progress but not too bad.
Reader-Powered Content
This content is not sponsored. It’s mostly me behind the labour of love which is this site and I appreciate everyone who follows, subscribes or Buys Me A Coffee ❤️ Alternatively please buy the reviewed product from my partners. Thank you! FTC: Affiliate Disclosure: Links pay commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
No 965 or vivoactive 5 today?
I love the look of the Marq series. Glad they finally updated the charger cable. Too bad it still runs Garmin’s buggy arse software. That would make one nice AW. 🙂
Well they did it and the specs are very close to the Marq 2. It has a smaller display but doesn’t give up any battery life. I had just about concluded the Marq series was going to be scrapped.
You have correctly honed in on the best-looking version. I note the matte black mercenary version is gone.
I think the market is very specifically for people who are sporty by can’t wear a forerunner 955, fenix 7, or epix 2 with their work “uniform”: investment bankers, lawyers, and “executives”. I’m slightly surprised that this group is large enough to justify the design effort and tooling to build 5 marq cases and have a slightly different screen size than the epix 2.
once again…YEP ! (to all the points you raise!)
These watches also make for good marketing for the cheaper watches.
Much like when Ford makes a supercar like the GT40. It doesn’t make real money from it but raises brand awareness
true
it perhaps also boosts the Vanity of senior management and provides great corporate gift fodder
(sorry I’m getting more cynical as the years go by)
Put software developers into that group as well. We’re classy AF.
Lawyers, i-bankers, and executives don’t need dress watches anymore for work. It’s pretty rare for those folks to wear suits anymore (I’m a lawyer, and I only wear a suit in court), and even then, you can wear whatever watch you want. A U.S. Supreme Court justice wore a Forerunner 235 to his senate confirmation hearing.
Actually, the main concern if you’re wearing a suit is that the watch fit under a shirt cuff, and a 255s fits the bill better than a Marq 2 from that perspective.