Kristin PaterakisThe Sub 300’s iconic design includes a unique two-track bezel, which has indices for depth and time so scuba divers can monitor their no-decompression limit.
Doxa’s dive watches trace their roots to the early days of recreational scuba diving. The original Sub 300 diver came when the burgeoning diving community needed an accessible dive watch. The new Sub 300 is a modern reinterpretation of that iconic pioneer that continues its predecessor’s mission of durability, practicality and visibility.
During the 1960s, scuba diving was rapidly transitioning from a specialized military tool into a civilian pastime. Early dive watches were primarily distributed to military and professional divers, leaving recreational divers without access. This demand compelled Urs Eschle, Doxa’s head of product development, to create a professional-grade dive watch for the public. A team of experienced divers, including Claude Wesly, provided insight and product testing.
In 1967, their work resulted in the original Sub 300. It bore a radical bright-orange dial, chosen after the team’s underwater testing determined it to be the most visible at depth. Other features included luminous markers for legibility, a cushion case forged from a single block of steel depth-rated to 300 meters/984 feet, a ratcheting mechanism for resizing the “beads of rice” bracelet without adding or removing links, and a unique two-track rotating bezel. The bezel included an outer ring indicating the dive depth and an inner ring indicating the corresponding no-decompression time limit. The watch’s minute hand—used with the diving bezel to track dive time—was enlarged for greater visibility, further accentuating the timepiece’s dive-first design philosophy.
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Courtesy Doxa Watches
DOXA SUB 300
MSRP $2,590
Movement Automatic COSC-certified Sellita SW200-1
Power Reserve 38 hours
Water Resistance 300 meters/984 feet
Case 42.5 mm
Material 316L stainless-steel case and bezel with stainless-steel “beads of rice” bracelet or rubber strap
Crystal Sapphire with anti-reflective treatment
Website doxawatches.com
The modern Sub 300 captures the vintage visuals without feeling antique. From the brushed stainless-steel 42.5 mm cushion case to its patented dual-indication unidirectional bezel, its pedigree is unmistakable—especially when sporting the iconic orange “Professional” coloration. The watch face is protected by a domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal—a reference to the original’s domed plexiglass. Blocky hands and hour markers feature luminous coatings. The dial is available in classic orange, among other bold and visually impactful colors. The supple bracelet fits closely to the wrist without discomfort. It has four points of adjustment and features a tool-free dive extension.
Outfitted with a modern COSC-certified automatic movement with a 38-hour power reserve, the Sub 300 offers both reliability and a timeless sense of style.
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Courtesy Doxa Watches
A Tale of Two Explorers
Several of Jacques Cousteau’s team members helped develop the original Sub 300. It quickly became standard equipment for Cousteau’s crew, where it gained great visibility and popularity through the television show The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau.
When novelist Clive Cussler needed a rugged underwater watch for his fictional larger-than-life explorer Dirk Pitt, he felt the distinctive orange-dialed watch was a perfect match. Doxa later created a special-edition Clive Cussler dive watch celebrating Dirk Pitt’s thriller escapades.
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