by Tyler Frederick
Summer vibes in a snowstorm
Safe to say the weather in Ontario, and other parts of Canada, hasn’t been ideal, with pretty big back-to-back snowstorms leading to gargantuan snowbanks and annoying hours of shoveling. I used to love winter so much, but I’m quickly moving towards being a spring and fall kind of guy. Nonetheless, there are always ways to find a bit of that summer warmth and glow throughout the day, and my way is through watches. I can’t think of a better way to bring in some summer flair than with a dive watch that evokes the feeling of the lake on a hot day with some bright colours to catch your eye; the DOXA Sub 300 Divingstar in its brilliant yellow dive watch goodness is the perfect choice to scratch that itch. So, let’s get into it.
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Doxa
DOXA is a brand I’ve been familiar with due to my enthusiasm for divers and tool watches, but they’re a brand I haven’t had the opportunity to experience in the metal—not until the Toronto Timepiece Show last year, where I managed to finally get my hands on one. I knew more about their history as a manufacturer and their link to all things adventure well before that, and I quickly understood why they were so loved by collectors and those who use them for their intended purpose—not just sitting at a desk. A brief history lesson for those who don’t know: DOXA (the Greek word for Glory) was founded in 1889 and manufactured pocket and dress watches until 1967, with the release of the iconic orange-dialed Sub 300. This watch was famously developed and worn by Jacques-Yves Cousteau. I don’t think I need to explain who that is, but if you don’t know, take the time to search him up and do some reading. Since then, DOXA has been known for its iconic dive watches and has expanded its collection, but the Sub 300, in my opinion, stands as the flagship.
Key Features of the Doxa Sub 300 Divingstar
The Sub 300 design
The Sub 300 is a watch that has been untouched design-wise since its conception in 1967, and as it ages, it fits in perfectly from a modern contemporary perspective because nothing else looks like it. The Sub 300 has its own design footprint that hasn’t been replicated and will continue to be not only a design icon but also a watch known for its pure intention as a tool watch to be used beneath the depths. It’s a watch developed to take on whatever you or life throws its way, and I feel the design will remain untouched for generations; the perfect example of, “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it.” Internally, the Sub 300 stayed within the same lane with the use of the ETA 2852 in the original from ’67 to the modern variant using the ETA 2824-2. The difference? The 2852 carries a higher power reserve at 50 hours compared to the 2824-2 at 38 hours, and the 2852 was manual wind while the 2824-2 is automatic. Externally the watches are exactly the same, but internally changed to fit more modern contemporary needs, such as the ease of use that comes from an automatic movement (2824-2) versus manual wind (2852).
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Wearability
Now the big question: how does it wear? It’s a watch that’s a bit on the large side at 42.5mm, but the compromise is the compact 45mm lug-to-lug. It’s a tad tall at 13.4mm, but as a whole package it feels fantastic. The watch sits perfectly against the wrist, and the almost tonneau shape adds softness and curvature to the case, making the aggressive bezel and tool-esque dial design much more approachable, and that beads of rice bracelet wears like silk. It feels like a watch I want to step out of my comfort zones with and plan my next adventure, big or small. I’m serious, it inspired me to start looking for camping and outdoor equipment; my summer is going to be filled with camping and outdoors, judging by the look of my Amazon cart. That’s probably the best way to describe this watch; it inspires the drive to be in the water, out in nature, and spending time in the sun.
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Dial
I’ve always been drawn to more colourful dials, and I’ve seen so many beautiful shots of watches from DOXA with dial colours ranging from classic Professional (Orange), Sharkhunter (Black), and Searambler (Silver), to their Aquamarine and Sea Emerald. However, I very seldom see the Divingstar, which is this beautifully vibrant yellow that brings the warmth of the summer sun. It’s hard to create an appealing yellow in any aspect of design, but this golden, almost hornet yellow is such a perfect shade, especially for a watch that calls back to the ’60s and ’70s. As many brands have taken the shape and form of their dive watches from the iconic Rolex Submariner, DOXA designed a watch that sets them apart from the rest, remaining in their own lane not only in design but also from a wearable and functional perspective. It’s a classic, and it always will be, standing toe to toe with dive watches from different walks of life, further extending its legacy for generations to come.
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SPECS
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel 32.5mm Diameter 45mm Lug to Lug 13.4mm Thick 20mm Lug Width Screw down Crown & Casback 300m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Domed Sapphire Crystal Yellow Dial Baton Handset Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | ETA 2824-2 Swiss Automatic 25 Jewels 28,800 vph 38-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Stainless Steel Beads of Rice |
Doxa Sub 300 Divingstar
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Quibbles
I am one who leans more towards “traditional” dive watch design, and the Sub 300 was very new ground for me. I love the asymmetry of the logos and how they create balance on the dial; something about it is so cool, but the date window throws it off a bit. If the date window were replaced with an identical marker (the same as the one at 9 o’clock), there would have been symmetry within the asymmetry. Am I making sense? Having the markers the same around the dial with the placement of the asymmetrical logos, I think there would have been fantastic balance there. The overall sizing of the watch is great, but the width of the case paired with the bezel and then the chapter ring makes the dial feel pretty small in comparison to the rest of the watch. It’s still very legible, but it looks a tad on the small side. The wearing experience has been great, but when I dissect the Sub 300 and look at the $2,590 CHF ($4,500 CAD) price tag, I know its in tight. The competition around $4,000 is insane, especially in pre-owned. Last thing: the crown logo isn’t colour-matched, and that drove me a bit crazy.
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Final Thoughts
It’s been great finally having the chance to experience a DOXA, and it has met my expectations in both design and wearability. They’re not only an iconic brand or watch, but an object that encapsulates stories of the deep, with a beautiful and timeless design that will be admired and used for plenty of adventures on land, in the sea, in a lake, or whatever body of water you decide to bring this for that matter. For more information or to check out all their great collections, feel free to visit DOXA.
Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts on the DOXA Sub 300! Until next time, have a fantastic week. I appreciate your support, and I’ll see you soon!
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About the author
Born into a family obsessed with motorsport, Tyler Frederick became enamoured with speed and beautiful cars at a young age. His love of Formula 1–and all things mechanical–eventually lead him to horology. You can follow him on Instagram.
Off The Cuff articles are full-length, hands-on reviews of the watch in question and represent the opinion of the author only. All photos are original, unless specified otherwise. If you would like to have your watch reviewed on this site, contact us here.