If there is a simple watch that encompasses the purpose of the Legacy issue of WOW, it is a DOXA diver, like the SUB 300T Aristera here. Not only is it evocative of a very specific period in the history of watchmaking, DOXA itself is what is known as a legacy Swiss watchmaker. Named “Aristera,” the Greek word for “left,” the SUB 300T Aristera model signifies DOXA’s first foray into left-handed dive watches, with the crown positioned at 9 o’clock for those who prefer wearing their watches on the right wrist. This name resonates with DOXA’s own Greek etymology, where “doxa” means “glory,” linking tradition and excellence in a timepiece built for modern-day adventurers.
The simple story here is that although DOXA is known today primarily for dive watches, it was founded long before such watches were possible – back in 1889, the sports watch was not a thing, and time was still confined to the pockets of men. Founder Georges Ducommun could scarcely have imagined the development of tool and sports watches, and that his brand would have created one of the most powerful visions of the dive watch in the 1960s.
We hope there will be time to get into the backstory of DOXA at some point, going beyond the dive watch. For this story, we must necessarily skimp on the narrative in favour of the details about the SUB 300T Aristera because the watch demands attention that goes further than its orange dial. To begin with, orange is inextricably linked with DOXA dive watches as that was how the brand took the plunge in the 1960s. It is no exaggeration to say that this was the most distinctive dive watch in the world from the get-go; the SUB 300T in particular debuted in 1968.
In 2024, DOXA brings this heritage to the fore with its first dive watch made for left-handers (otherwise known as people who prefer to wear their watches on their right wrists). Yes, this is the first automatic DOXA with the crown shifted to 9 o’clock rather than the traditional 3 o’clock. Somewhat unusually, DOXA made this lefty without resorting to moving the date window to 9 o’clock too. According to the press release, the brand managed this by rotating the movement powering the watch by 180 degrees. Such a change, while seemingly simple, still requires rigourous tests. On that note, that movement is the Sellita SW 200- 1, with an escapement beating at 28,000 vph and a power reserve rated at 38 hours.
Importantly, the SUB 300T Aristera is in every way a paragon of the DOXA dive watch, being cased in 316L steel, with a unidirectional rotating bezel to time dives, a helium release valve, and a superlative water-resistance rating (1,200 metres). The distinctive case shape remains, as you can see, and the bezel insert is still in aluminium. To aid in keeping the time visible in low-light settings, Super-Luminova is deployed on the hands and hour markers of the 42.5mm watch. The watch comes with both a beads-of-rice steel bracelet and a NATO strap, both of which can accommodate professional use, as one would expect of DOXA. The bracelet has an expandable folding clasp while the fabric strap uses the classic and flexible pin buckle. You could not ask for more in a dive watch, especially in the accessible segment.
Limited to 300 pieces worldwide, the SUB 300T Aristera is now available at DOXA retailers and on the official DOXA website retailing for CHF 2,290, EUR 2,490 and USD 2,490.00 USD
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