Case
A dive watch that measures in at 39mm vast by 10.7mm tall with a lug-to-lug width of 41.5mm is a reasonably candy place to be. We’re spoiled for svelte divers these days. With circumstances beneath 40mm turning into increasingly widespread, there’s actually one thing on the market for each wrist. My wrist measures in at 6.75” and the 39mm case wears rather well. It’s a kind of watches you may pop on and simply form of overlook about till you look down at your wrist. One factor concerning the case that makes it fascinating is the cushion form that Doxa is understood for. The no-deco twin bezel surrounding the dial makes the dial itself appear on the smaller facet, since there’s a lot metallic between the boundaries of the dial and the top of the case. On the highest floor, you’re handled to a fantastic brushing, whereas the edges of the case are polished.
Since we’re coping with a dive watch, one thing must be mentioned concerning the bezel. The motion is good and snappy, with 120 clicks required to make a full revolution. Grippy edges make the bezel simple to show and there’s no noticeable again play within the evaluate unit. It looks like a device watch by way of and thru that can simply proceed to do its job each out and in of the water. A flat sapphire crystal is correct in step with the highest floor of the bezel, retaining the general thickness of the watch slim and wearable.
Dial + Fingers
Calling it darkish blue can be boring and since Doxa has their very own long-standing naming conference, we’re wanting on the Caribbean dial. There are a number of choices accessible for the Sub 200T, together with however not restricted to Sharkhunter (black), Skilled (orange), Divingstar (silver), and extra. One factor that’s fascinating is that the colours can be found in two totally different dial finishes. The “Iconic” variations are all a flat coloration, whereas the “Sunray” dials function a delicate solar ray sample. The one I’ve with me is the solar ray, and in my view it appears nice. The impact is delicate, nevertheless it provides only a trace of visible enchantment that I might discover myself lacking. The important thing right here is the matte end, which retains the dial simple to learn with out an excessive amount of shine occurring.
The design of the dial ought to look acquainted, because it’s largely the identical because the 200T’s larger brothers. There’s a crosshair design printed on the dial that breaks it up into 4 sections. The higher left options the Doxa wordmark and “computerized” in a cool typeface, whereas the decrease proper options the mannequin title and the colour, additionally in the identical enjoyable and funky lettering. Each of the remaining quadrants are left clean, giving the dial some respiration room. You’ll additionally discover the CHUNKY minutes hand in a contrasting coloration and the marginally wimpy hour hand. Whereas it could look a bit of unusual at first, you’re greater than doubtless going to be utilizing the minute hand at the side of the diving bezel, making its relevance much more vital to the core performance of the watch. I actually just like the look of the dial and arms, they’re true to the late-60’s authentic, however are stylish sufficient as to stay timeless.
One space the place the dial falls quick for me is the appliance of the SuperLuminova. It’s weak. Actually weak. The cost doesn’t maintain lengthy and doesn’t glow significantly vivid. That is positively an space of disappointment for me. This appears to be a recurring theme with Doxa, because the Sub 200 I reviewed a number of years again and the one I bought for myself instantly after returning the evaluate unit might have used a lift within the glow division.
Motion
There’s not a complete lot to say concerning the Sellita SW200-1 computerized motion inside. It’s a dependable workhorse of a motion that’s Swiss-made. It sports activities a 38-hour energy reserve, 26 jewels, computerized winding, the choice handy wind, and a date function at 3 o’clock. The motion is smart within the ~$1500 Doxa Sub 200T, becoming proper in with the standard, value, and tool-like nature of the remainder of the watch.
Strap + Wearability
The 200T is out there on both a beads of rice bracelet or a rubber strap. The bracelet is simply a $40 premium over the strap and is kind of snug to put on. It tapers a bit from the lugs to the clasp, which is a pleasant contact. They obtain this by altering the dimensions of the brushed hyperlinks on the outer fringe of the bracelet, because the “rice” within the center has to remain the identical width all through. On the underside facet of your wrist, you’ll discover a chunky clasp emblazoned with the Doxa fish emblem that includes a fast adjustment mechanism. One button opens the clasp, whereas the opposite offers you slightly below half an inch of play. I just like the mechanism for the short adjustment – it feels strong and I’ve discovered myself appreciating the additional give all through the day.
Sporting the watch is a pleasure. It’s snug, has simply the correct quantity of heft, and genuinely offers me some pleasure each time I look down on the time. The orange accents actually pop off the blue dial however stay restrained sufficient as to not name an excessive amount of consideration to your wrist.
200T vs. 300T
I needed to rapidly point out how the 200T compares to the 300T, as a result of a number of you might be asking “what’s the distinction?” For the reason that watches look very comparable, it may be simple to overlook the important thing variations when wanting solely at pictures. Right here’s some fast comparisons that basically assist present the distinction between the 2 fashions.
As you may see, the 200T is absolutely only a scaled down model of the 300T. Positive you may’t take it as deep, and also you gained’t have the ability to let your helium escape, however you get almost the identical aesthetic in a chunk that’s scaled down nearly 10% in each metric.
Conclusion
Between the Sub 200 and now the Sub 200T, Doxa has created some smaller sporting variations of their classics that carved out a spot of their lineup that can excite a number of fans. Heck, the final time they did that with the Sub 200, I ended up shopping for one earlier than the evaluate even went dwell on the location. What Doxa has here’s a watch that has loads of classic attraction with none of the trouble. The scale is nice, the function set is there, and the value at 1500 bucks is lots cheap for what you’re getting. Is it well worth the further $8000 to splurge on the diamond model? That’s as much as you to determine, however the usual Sub 200T is a compelling choice in Doxa’s lineup that’s certain to show some heads.
