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Ever since Hodinkee Editor-in-Chief James Stacey posted a picture on social media of a Doxa Sub 200T Divingstar, I knew I needed to do a hands-on with one. Yellow is a coloration that retains drawing me again. The Divingstar had already been on my radar, however seeing it time and time once more wore down my very restricted resistance to making an attempt out a watch I’d need to really personal sooner or later.
Doxa is an attention-grabbing model. The corporate now makes a speciality of dive watches however traditionally produced many various kinds, together with costume and every day watches. For the reason that Jenny household took over the course of the model, it has centered on a core lineup. That included the entry-level Sub 200, the battle-tank-like Sub 300T (suppose Rolex Sea-Dweller), and the flagship watch, the Sub 300 (suppose Rolex Submariner).
Doxa dive watches
Certain, there are different fashions within the vary, together with a collection of dive-capable chronographs and the elusive Doxa Military. Nevertheless, the core DNA of the model sits inside these three mannequin traces. The Sub 200, by the best way, relies on Doxa’s authentic first-ever dive watch, the reference 11804.
Final yr, Doxa launched one other line to its core vary, the Sub 200T. It is a shrunken-down model of the 300T. The Sub 300T is a panzer of a watch that may deal with depths which might be the territory of the Omega Ploprof and Rolex Sea-Dweller. However with the 200T, gone are the helium escape valve, 1,2000m depth score, and 42.5mm case dimension. As an alternative, it’s a 39mm watch that also might go to a superbly succesful 200 meters down. Doxa’s Sub 200T can be a watch I’ve dealt with earlier than.
The Doxa Sub 200T is my favourite
The Sub 200T addresses each design problem I had with the Sub 300T or the Sub 300. First, gone was the clumsy bracelet of the 300T which flares out in an unpleasant manner the place it meets the case. The truth is, there isn’t any correct articulation, so it provides to the lug-to-lug footprint of that watch. The 200T, nonetheless, retains the wonderful clasp and ratcheting dive extension system that the 300T has. Second, the crappy clasp of the Sub 300 is nowhere to be seen. Third, and in addition not current, is the head-scratching domed sapphire crystal on the Sub 300. That crystal has such an enormous quantity of pop, that you would be able to’t learn the watch underwater at sure angles. Lastly, we get a 39mm case that feels extra like a 37mm one on the wrist because of its cushion form.
In brief, then, brief one thing classic, the Doxa Sub 200T is my favourite rendition of Doxa’s “fugly” magic. The one fashionable exception to this might be the just lately launched Doxa Sub 300 Nice White restricted version. That lume dial is drop-dead attractive. However when the chance arose to select a coloration and take the Sub 200T for a longer-term evaluate, I knew exactly which one I’d be spending a number of weeks with.
Why I went for Divingstar yellow
Which colorway did I select? Effectively, if it’s not already apparent from the images, I went for the Divingstar. Doxa’s core colorways have traditionally been silver (Searambler), black (Sharkhunter), and orange (Skilled). That stated, yellow was current virtually on the very begin too, nevertheless it was simply uncommon. Subsequently, yellow is as Doxa as orange is.
It’s a scientific undeniable fact that yellow makes people happier. Yellow sparks one thing in our brains that we affiliate with happiness. Lengthy could that final as a result of, as I’ve been trying down on the Doxa Sub 200T Divingstar on my wrist these previous couple of weeks, I’ve smiled lots.
This 39mm dive watch is the Doxa for me
With the development to smaller watches in recent times, Doxa was lacking a mid-sized providing till the Sub 200T. That is one thing my colleague Thomas additionally famous. The rugged Sub 300T presents the traditional appears of the unique Conquistador however with technically upgraded capabilities and tolerances because of fashionable manufacturing.
Doxa’s Sub 300, in the meantime, presents one thing for us classic lovers. The Sub 300’s smaller dial footprint and thinner case create an interesting package deal for these within the authentic classic model that debuted in 1967. The Sub 300 performs a stable position because the model’s halo product and homes a COSC-certified motion. Nevertheless, as I famous on this article, there’s a precedent for smaller Doxa Subs. A number of of those existed within the model’s golden period of the Nineteen Seventies. Examples survive of what have been, in essence, Sub 300Ts shrunken all the way down to a 35mm dimension. These have been additionally known as the Sub 200. Doxa used to promote these as girls’s watches, they usually might be seen in previous Doxa commercials.
Dealing with the Doxa Sub 200T Divingstar underwater
Of all the colours I’ve experimented with underwater, yellow must be one of the vital legible. Certainly, the Doxa Sub 200T Divingstar appears much more legible than the model’s well-known orange-dialed counterparts. I’ve taken each colorway within the assortment underwater save for the Aquamarine, and this must be the simplest to learn, even within the churned-up waters that Sydney has been going through recently.
The Doxa Sub 200T additionally has the benefit of a slim profile that hugs the wrist properly. It is a implausible issue while you’re contemplating taking a watch underwater as a result of it’s straightforward sufficient to scrape it on rocks while you’re mucking about.
There are different yellow choices on the market
Do you need to partake within the pleasure, however Doxa isn’t for you? Fortunately, there are fairly a couple of watches with yellow dials on the market. One which involves thoughts is the Citizen Tsuyosa NJ0150-56Z, which offers a few of the magic of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual in yellow however is one thing nonetheless in manufacturing and never a number of thousand euros on the secondary market. That stated, that yellow-dial Rolex Oyster Perpetual is a watch I lust after.
Breitling’s Superocean Automated 42 is one other nice possibility for individuals who can spend round €5K. Or, if in case you have a a lot bigger price range, you would have a look at choosing up a secondhand Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver in yellow. Hublot has additionally created some attention-grabbing choices with its latest Yellow Magic fashions. Actually, there’s an possibility for each style and price range. I’d wish to see extra yellow-dial watches out in public, and some extra smiles could be a great factor!
Concluding ideas on the Doxa Sub 200T
The Doxa Sub 200T Divingstar has been on my thoughts since that dastardly James Stacey began waxing lyrical about it on The Gray Nato podcast. Effectively, it’s weaseled its manner into my mind, and now it might worm its manner into my assortment. There’s something joyous about yellow-dial watches, and this one ticks plenty of containers.
What about you, Fratelli? What’s your favourite coloration for a watch dial that sits exterior the norm? Let me know what that’s within the feedback!
