Hands-on with the Garmin MARQ 2 Captain Watch

With its revolutionary regatta timing technology that pinpoints the start of a race via a new crisp and full-colour AMOLED display, the new Garmin MARQ2 Captain promotes new exterior and software alongside improved battery power to map new charters in cutting-edge smartwatch science.

Uniting smartwatch fans and sailing enthusiasts under one niche umbrella, Garmin has finally unveiled what serious MARQ aficionados have been waiting for since 2019 – a new MARQ pedigree. Equipped with integral MARQ DNA, this second-gen smartwatch builds on the Epix platform to improve the original features of the series and bring more touchscreen technology to the fingertips. It does this by introducing new TopoActive maps and NextFork™ features to enjoy, paired with ClimbPro technology, an improver battery power, and a new USB-C-based charging cable/port. There’s also the new multi-band GNSS with integrated SatIQ™ technology, as well as the usual MARQ features.

The new MARQ 2 series comprises five models that follow in the footsteps of their predecessors. There’s the MARQ 2 Athlete, MARQ 2 Adventurer, MARQ 2 Golfer, MARQ 2 Aviator and, of course, the new MARQ 2 Captain, which we’ll look at in a little more detail today. Across these models is a plethora of bespoke features to enjoy within each design, namely a worldwide aeronautical database, NEXRAD weather radar, a regatta timer enhanced with GPS technology, and advanced golf game tracking data with more than 42,000 preloaded golf courses.

The new MARQ 2 Captain watch offers some pretty neat features. Its Regatta Timing function starts with a countdown timer that shows time to the gun, while the GPS time to burn feature calculates your ideal position for starting the race. Including water depth, engine RPM, wind, custom data and more - the Stream Data feature connects your MARQ Captain tool watch to your boat’s compatible devices for more detailed data than ever before. You can also change your heading, engage pattern steering and follow a GPS route via the Autopilot Control feature, whilst placing chartplotter waypoints during your daily sailing to mark each catch from anywhere on the boat using the Waypoint Marking feature. But first, let’s take a look at the origins and basic spec feature of the MARQ series of Garmin smartwatches…

The history of the Garmin MARQ smartwatch

The Garmin MARQ launch was revealed back in 2019 with the MARQ Driver, MARQ Aviator, MARQ Captain, MARQ Adventurer and MARQ Athlete, followed by the MARQ Commander and a special-edition MARQ Captain: the American Magic Edition. The design concept of the collection was 30 years in the making and was the next step up from the Fenix 5, with all-around new and improved health and fitness apps. By combining cutting-edge technology with high-grade materials, Garmin’s business segments; aviation, automotive, fitness, outdoor and marine were brought into focus with areas of flying, racing and sports. Superior connectivity promised a wearable touchscreen tool combined with a supreme selection of materials including titanium, sapphire, ceramic, diamond-like carbon coating, jacquard-weave nylon straps and Italian vacchetta leather bands. The Garmin MARQ was suitable for flying, sailing, outdoor adventures and driving, all enhanced by a QuickFit attachment mechanism for easy watch strap changes. Finally, pilots could now rely on precise navigation. Motorists could travel using turn-by-turn directional assistance.

All watches of the MARQ series included the same baseline; a full global database of ski resorts, maps and runs, a full global database of golf courses, and sports apps that include swimming, biking, running, golfing and skiing. In addition to this, they offered; the PulseOx SpO2 measurement, detailed regional maps, music and storage features, Garmin Pay, and the Garmin ELEVATE optical HR sensor. Its 46mm size was topped with a ceramic bezel with a battery life of 12 days in watch mode, 28hrs in GPS mode, or 48hrs in the UltraTrac GPS mode. All watches from the MARQ series also featured a lightweight titanium casing and a hard sapphire crystal glass lens.

The new MARQ 2 Captain watch

First to note are the features that the Captain shares with its other four sibling models. These include, on its outward design, a new AMOLED display that features a full-colour crisp 390 x 390 pixel resolution. Protected by a sapphire glass front, the display offsets its new lightweight grade 5 titanium case nicely. Its improved scratch-resistant and strong case is topped with a tough colour fade-resistant and scratch-resistant ceramic bezel. Supplied with the new MARQ Gen 2 watch is a new USB-C-based charging cable with a new charging port that takes only an hour to fully charge compared to the existing Fenix 7 and the Epix series smartwatches.

Perfectly tailored to those who frequently travel on business or for leisure, the new Jetlag Advisor feature enables the wearer to balance light exposure with a devised sleep schedule and an exercise plan that can be followed to minimise the unwanted effects of jetlag whilst travelling from one country to another. Additionally, the MARQ II Captain also features multi-band GNSS with integrated SatIQ™ technology that will secure the very best accuracy no matter where in the world you are. A new and improved battery life of up to 16 days compared to its former 12-day battery power (as well as 21 days in Battery Saver Mode, 75 hours in Max Battery GPS mode, or 14 days in the Expedition GPS mode) delivers a significant update to this new model.

Whilst shore-side, the new pre-loaded TopoActive mapping feature on the MARQ 2 Athlete watch, along with the NextFork™ feature helps you to see your distance to the next trail intersection, as well as the name of the upcoming trail, whilst performance metrics, training load and the ability to track endurance and stamina are made super easy once configured to its compatible sensor. Garmin Pay™ contactless payments1, wrist-based heart rate2, daily activity tracking2, sleep monitoring2 and smart notifications³ are all still available in the new model, which is compatible with Apple® and Android™ devices.

As mentioned, the additional features of the Captain model make this MARQ 2 watch particularly appealing if you’re a fan of sailing, yachting or other off-shore pursuits.  It offers GPS sailing features that include speed, distance, heading, virtual starting line, tack assist and man overboard functions plus a time-to-burn calculator. In addition to this, it connects with your Garmin chartplotters to stream data, including speed, wind and depth. It also pairs with inReach® satellite communicators2 for two-way communication and SOS functionality. The watch comes on a stylish navy blue and light blue striped nylon Jacquard weave band to match the colour of its strong scratch-resistant ceramic bezel.

If you’d like more information on the new MARQ 2 Captain watch by Garmin, you can check the finer details out here, or call and speak to a member of our Jura Watches sales team on 01335 453453