DOXA SUB 300T PROFESSIONAL 'ORANGE TIMER' LUEL MAGAZINE SEPT. 2015

Not many would have heard of a Swiss watch brand called 'DOXA.' Established in the Swiss town of Le Locle in 1889, DOXA has long been well-known more as a manufacturer of aircraft panel clocks and industrial gauges than as a watchmaking company. DOXA remained one of those lesser-known watch companies until it suddenly introduced its first full-scale diver watch 'Sub 300 Professional' at the 1966's Basel Watch Fair, leaving a deep impression on all diver watch lovers worldwide.

Ever since its debut Sub 300 Professional's hefty stainless steel case and high-viz orange dial have been a source of continual inspiration for many other watch brands. Sub 300's other interesting functional features include the big minute hand designed for easy estimation of diving time, which usually lasts no longer than 30 minutes, as well as the world's first unidirectional rotating bezel. The bezel also integrated US Navy's official depth-time table for no-decompression limit to allow its wearer as much information as possible under water.

The 'Rescue Orange' dial was intended for maximum visibility under water as the color is commonly used in other maritime rescue equipment. However Rescue Orange color itself quickly became an icon of DOXA's brand identity in a perfect marriage with Sub 300's tough outfit. In other words, DOXA Sub 300 is the mother of all orange faced diver watches.

EARLIER SUB 300 PROFESSIONAL FACE

MID 1970'S SUB 300T PROFESSIONAL FACE

Its waterproofness up to 300 meter was unparalleled at that time, going even deeper than Rolex Submariner could. A specialized American diver equipment company US Divers Co. took note of this state-of-the-art capacity and became an exclusive distributor of Sub 300 in the US market, which gave additional credit to the watch's reliability as a diving gear.

Military is often first to adopt the best stuff available. Along with British Royal Navy and US Navy, there's even a record of Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) issuing Sub 300s to its pilots and Special Units, making it one and only official issue watch known in the history of Korean military service. This also gives us an interesting story to tell not only because of the paradox of pilots getting issued diver watches, but also because its price tag ($200) was a bit too high for a developing country like Korea in the 80s to afford.

ORIGINAL ISSUED BOX IN KOREA NATIONAL WAR MUSEUM (Photo Credit H.Seung) 

ROK MARINES FORCE RECON MEMBER WEARING SUB 300T DURING EXERCISE "TEAM SPIRIT" 1985

Sub 300 Professional is still one of the best selling watches available on DOXA's web shop.



http://www.doxawatches.com/



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