Garmin MARQ Carbon and Damascus Steel Editions: Worth the Extra?

The Garmin MARQ Carbon Edition swaps the Grade 5 titanium case of the standard Gen 2 watch for fused carbon fiber, which makes it lighter and more expensive. The Damascus Steel edition goes the other way, with a Damascus steel case and bezel and a heavier watch. The display, lens, water rating and battery figures are the same on all of them.

So the extra money pays for materials and, on some models, extra items in the box. This post goes through what each edition changes and what it costs in RM. The standard titanium Athlete is the reference point, because it is the only standard model in this comparison.

What the Garmin MARQ Carbon Edition changes over titanium

Start with the standard watch. The Garmin MARQ Athlete (Gen 2) Smartwatch has a titanium (Grade 5) case and a titanium (Grade 5) bezel. It weighs 84 g, comes on a black silicone rubber strap and is priced from RM8,019.

The Garmin MARQ Athlete (Gen 2) Carbon Edition Smartwatch has a fused carbon fiber case with a titanium rear cover. Its bezel combines titanium (Grade 5) with fused carbon fiber. The weight drops to 75 g, which is 9 g less than the titanium Athlete. It is priced from RM12,389, so the gap between the two starting prices is RM4,370.

The box is different too. The Carbon Edition Athlete includes an HRM-Pro Plus heart rate monitor along with the strap and the USB-C/magnetic charger cable. The standard Athlete’s box list has the watch, strap, charger cable and documentation.

These specs are the same on both watches:

• Lens: domed sapphire crystal
• Display: 1.2” (30.4 mm) diameter AMOLED (always-on)
• Water rating: 10 ATM
• Battery life (smartwatch mode): up to 16 days (6 days always-on)

The three Carbon Editions compared

All three Carbon Editions share the same case and bezel materials, and each comes in a single colour. They differ in the features they are built around, the strap and what else is in the box.

The Athlete is the multisport model and the lowest priced of the three, from RM12,389. It ships on a black silicone rubber strap in Black Carbon with Black Strap.

The Garmin MARQ Golfer (Gen 2) Carbon Edition Smartwatch is priced from RM13,009, which is RM620 more than the Carbon Athlete. It comes with a black/green leather and FKM rubber hybrid strap, a spare black silicone rubber strap and 3 Approach CT10 club tracking sensors. It weighs 82 g on the hybrid strap and 75 g with the silicone rubber one.

The Garmin MARQ Commander (Gen 2) Carbon Edition Smartwatch is the tactical model and the most expensive here, from RM13,429. Its strap is heathered black Jacquard-weave nylon, and a black silicone rubber strap is also in the box. It weighs 76 g on nylon and 75 g with silicone rubber, and the case alone is 48 g.

What the Damascus Steel edition changes

The Garmin MARQ Adventurer (Gen 2) Damascus Steel Edition Smartwatch uses Damascus steel for both the case and the bezel. It is the heaviest watch in this group at 114 g, which is 30 g more than the titanium Athlete.

It is priced from RM13,009, the same starting price as the Carbon Edition Golfer. The one colour option is Damascus Steel with Olive Leather Strap. The strap is a leather and FKM rubber hybrid, and a black silicone rubber strap is included as a second option.

The Adventurer is built around outdoor features. Its lens, display size, water rating and battery figures match the other four watches. Look at the photos on the product page before you decide, because the case finish is the main reason to choose this edition.

Materials, weight and price side by side

Is the extra worth paying?

Nothing in the listed specs gives the special editions a longer battery life, a larger display or a higher water rating than the titanium Athlete. The decision comes down to what the watch is made of, how much it weighs and what comes in the box.

If you want a MARQ at the lowest starting price, the titanium Athlete at RM8,019 is the one to look at. You keep the sapphire lens, the AMOLED display and the 10 ATM rating.

If weight on the wrist matters to you, the Carbon Editions make the stronger case. All three weigh 75 g on the silicone rubber strap. The Athlete adds the HRM-Pro Plus heart rate monitor and the Golfer adds the three CT10 sensors, so count those items into the premium if you would use them.

The Damascus Steel Adventurer is the choice if you want a steel case and are comfortable with 114 g. It costs the same to start as the Carbon Golfer, so between those two you are choosing material and feature set.

We can only state the exact premium for the Athlete pair, because the other three standard models are not part of this comparison. If you want the standard version of the Golfer, Commander or Adventurer, check the Garmin page or use our buy for me service to request it from a US store.

Price and how ordering works

All five watches are preorders. We buy the watch new from the US brand store after you order, and estimated delivery is 30 calendar days. You can pay in full, or where the product page offers it, pay a 50% deposit now and the balance later. Checkout shows when the balance is due for your country.

Delivery is free within Peninsular Malaysia. Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan pay RM21 per item, or nothing on orders over RM 2,200, which covers every watch in this post. Every other country sees its fee at checkout, and the shipping fees page has the details.

Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery. A change-of-mind return must be in new condition, carries a 10% restocking fee, and the cost of shipping it back to the seller is deducted from your refund. Exchanges are only for items that arrive damaged, so settle on the edition before you order. If the watch is damaged when it arrives, report it with photos straight away. Full terms are on the refund and returns page.

Questions about a specific model can go to WhatsApp at +1 603 440 9886.