Quick answer: Garmin has not announced the MARQ Gen 3, but its Spanish support pages already list a MARQ (Gen 3) series. It is expected to use the Fenix 9 platform in luxury materials, with variants such as Athlete, Adventurer, Aviator, Commander and Golfer. There is no confirmed release date or price. The MARQ Gen 2 launched at $1,900 to $2,400.
Four years to the day after the MARQ (Gen 2) launched on October 11, 2022, a MARQ (Gen 3) showed up on Garmin’s own support site. This guide covers what is confirmed, when it could launch, how much it might cost, and what should be different from the Gen 2 to justify buying one.
What is confirmed about the MARQ Gen 3
The clearest mention is on Garmin’s Spanish-language support page for Garmin Explore compatibility. Under the MARQ heading it lists the original series, the MARQ (Gen 2) series and a MARQ (Gen 3) series.
I reviewed the page myself. It lists the Enduro 4 and Fenix 9 series under their headings, and the tactix 8 series, but no tactix 9. That is a small observation, not proof of anything.
The name also appears in two other Spanish support articles, one about accessory connections and one about adding weather locations. Garmin Rumors found the listing first, and Gadgets & Wearables confirmed it also appears on Garmin’s support sites for Chile and Argentina.
The English-language pages have not changed. They still list the MARQ (Gen 2) as the latest.
MARQ Gen 3 release date: what we know
Garmin has not given a date. Here is the pattern so far.
| Generation | Launch date |
|---|---|
| MARQ (Gen 1) | March 13, 2019 |
| MARQ (Gen 2) | October 11, 2022 |
| MARQ (Gen 3) | Not announced |
Garmin usually launches the high-volume Fenix first and the MARQ afterward, although a joint launch is possible.
The Fenix 9 launched on August 25 without a MARQ, so that pattern still holds. Their view that an announcement looks imminent is an opinion, not a Garmin statement.
My tactix 9 leak post covers the other Garmin watch still waiting for an announcement.
MARQ Gen 3 price: what to expect
Garmin has not said. For context, the MARQ (Gen 2) collection launched at $1,900 to $2,400, and the carbon and Damascus steel editions that followed cost $2,950 to $3,200.
| Model | Garmin.com price (Oct 12, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Athlete | $1,900 |
| Adventurer | $2,100 |
| Athlete, Carbon Edition | $2,950 |
| Golfer, Carbon Edition | $3,100 |
| Adventurer, Damascus Steel Edition | $3,100 |
| Commander, Carbon Edition | $3,200 |
These are the prices Garmin.com showed on October 12, 2026. Check for today’s price.
Nobody should expect the Gen 3 to be cheaper. Treat any price you see before an announcement as a guess.
MARQ Gen 3 vs MARQ Gen 2: what should be different
The Gen 2 was built on the Epix (Gen 2) platform. If Garmin repeats that pattern, the Gen 3 would share the Fenix 9’s hardware and software, wrapped in better materials.
This table compares what you get from the Gen 2 today with what the Fenix 9 platform already offers. The Gen 3 column is an expectation, not a confirmed spec.
| Feature | MARQ (Gen 2) | MARQ Gen 3 (expected) |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | 32GB | 64GB likely |
| Display | 1.2-inch AMOLED, domed sapphire | Brighter AMOLED |
| Maps | Epix (Gen 2)-era maps | Faster maps |
| Satellite or LTE | No | Possible |
| Flashlight | Screen flashlight only | LED possible |
| Garmin Epic | No | Likely |
Here is what sits behind those expectations. The Fenix 9 has 64GB of storage, 50% more RAM and map panning up to 30% faster. Its AMOLED display is twice as bright as the Fenix 8’s, and the Fenix 9 Pro reaches up to 3,000 nits.
The Fenix 9 Pro also offers inReach satellite and LTE in all three sizes. My Fenix 9 size and tier buying guide goes through the platform.
What you should get for the extra money
If the Gen 3 is just a Fenix 9 in a nicer case, a buyer is paying mostly for materials and design. That is a valid reason to buy a MARQ, but it should come with clear upgrades over the Gen 2.
From the Fenix 9 platform, these seem realistic: double the storage, a much brighter screen, faster maps and the newer training software.
Three things are less certain and Garmin Rumors lists them as open questions: LTE or satellite connectivity, a MicroLED display and a new heart rate sensor.
A dedicated LED flashlight (the Gen 2 only has a screen-based one), a speaker and a microphone are also on many buyers’ wish lists. None of these are confirmed.
If you are buying at MARQ prices, I would want at least the storage, display and map upgrades. Anything less would be a materials refresh.
Expected MARQ Gen 3 variants
The Gen 2 launched with five watches: Athlete, Adventurer, Golfer, Captain and Aviator. Carbon editions of the Athlete, Golfer and Commander followed in 2023, and a Damascus steel Adventurer in 2024.
For the Gen 3, the expected list is Athlete, Adventurer, Aviator, Commander and Golfer. Captain is missing from that list, but it is unclear whether it will be renamed, replaced or dropped. Which features each variant gets is unknown.
Should you buy a MARQ Gen 2 now or wait?
Wait if you want the newest platform and are not in a hurry. You would be paying a luxury price for a four-year-old design, and a replacement looks likely. Garmin discounted the Gen 2 by $300 in mid-2026, which fits a generation near its end, but that discount is not live now.
Buy a Gen 2 if you find it at a large discount and you value the materials and design more than the latest software. With the Athlete back at $1,900, that is a lot for a 2022 platform, so wait for another discount.
Skip the MARQ if you only want the Fenix 9’s features. The Fenix 9 gives you the same platform for much less, and my Fenix 9 vs Fenix 8 comparison explains what changed.
If battery life is your priority, my Enduro 4 launch article covers Garmin’s ultra-endurance option.
Confirmed vs. not confirmed
Confirmed:
- Garmin’s Spanish support pages list a MARQ (Gen 3) series
- The same listing appears on Garmin’s support sites for Chile and Argentina
- The English pages still list MARQ (Gen 2) as the latest
Not confirmed:
- Release date, price, sizes, materials and variants
- Whether it uses the Fenix 9 platform
- Display, battery, storage, satellite features or new sensors
A support-page listing proves Garmin is preparing the product. It is not a spec sheet.
My take
Here’s the thing about the MARQ: almost nobody shops for it the way they shop for a Fenix. It is a niche, luxury watch, and the people who buy one usually want the titanium, the sapphire and the look as much as the software. So if you are reading this, you probably already know whether you are one of them.
If you are, I would wait for the Gen 3, or only buy a Gen 2 at a real discount. If you are not sure, you probably are not, and that is fine.
Questions people ask
Is the Garmin MARQ Gen 3 real?
Garmin has not announced it, but the name appears on several of its own Spanish-language support pages.
When will the MARQ Gen 3 be released?
There is no date. The Gen 2 launched on October 11, 2022, and Garmin’s Spanish pages now list the Gen 3, so an announcement looks possible soon.
How much will the MARQ Gen 3 cost?
Unknown. The MARQ Gen 2 launched at $1,900 to $2,400, and some variants later cost more than $3,000. The Gen 3 is unlikely to be cheaper.
What is the difference between the MARQ Gen 3 and MARQ Gen 2?
The Gen 3 is expected to use the Fenix 9 platform, which means more storage, a brighter display, faster maps and newer software. These are expectations, not confirmed specs.
Will the MARQ Gen 3 have satellite connectivity?
Unknown. The Fenix 9 Pro offers inReach, but Garmin has not said whether the MARQ will.
Should I buy a MARQ Gen 2 now?
Only if you find a good discount. A newer generation looks close.
Does the MARQ Gen 2 have a flashlight?
Only a screen-based one. Hold the LIGHT button, select Flashlight, then use the up and down buttons to change brightness or switch to red, or press LIGHT twice to toggle it. The MARQ Gen 2 has no dedicated LED like the Fenix or Enduro.
Is the MARQ better than the Fenix?
Not for features. The MARQ Gen 2 shares its platform with the Epix (Gen 2), and the Gen 3 is expected to share the Fenix 9’s. What you pay extra for is Grade 5 titanium, a domed sapphire lens, special editions and the luxury finish.
This post will be updated when Garmin announces the MARQ Gen 3 or when more reliable information appears.
Sources
- Garmin Rumors, October 11, 2026: first report of the MARQ (Gen 3) listing
- Gadgets & Wearables, October 12, 2026: confirmed the Spanish pages and that the English pages are unchanged
- Garmin’s Spanish support page for Garmin Explore compatibility
- Garmin’s October 11, 2022 press release for the MARQ (Gen 2) collection
- Notebookcheck and the5krunner: MARQ Gen 3 platform reports and the MARQ (Gen 2) price cut
