Doxa is all the time one of many manufacturers we hold a detailed eye on when Geneva Watch Days rolls round. This yr, the model has not upset with two main items of stories. The primary is a brand new left-hand-drive Sub 300T Skilled Aristera. The second is the collection-wide rollout of the “Sea Emerald” inexperienced colorway. The dashing inexperienced shade, which debuted within the Sub 200T launched earlier this yr, is now obtainable throughout the Sub household, together with the Sub 200, Sub 300, Sub 300T, Sub 600T, and Sub 300 Carbon.
Returning to the principle matter at hand, let’s speak about “destro” watches. The time period comes from the Italian that means “proper” and refers back to the wrist on which these left-crowned watches are supposed to be worn. These have been round so long as wristwatches have. Left-handed individuals comprise roughly 10% of the world’s inhabitants, that means that the identical proportion of watch consumers favor their left hand. It shouldn’t be stunning that the majority manufacturers have catered to the one-in-ten purchaser sooner or later or one other. Nevertheless, it might shock you the way comparatively sparse the choices are. Few manufacturers make destro fashions, and even fewer provide it as a configurable possibility when shopping for the watch (solely Serica involves thoughts). At this time, Doxa fills the hole in its catalog with a restricted run of the Sub 300T Skilled Aristera, its very first left-hand-drive (LHD) mannequin.
Destro watches: not only for lefties
Most watches may be worn on both wrist. Usually, we place our watches on our non-dominant facet to keep away from impacts when utilizing the hand and for consolation when writing (keep in mind writing on paper with a pen? These had been the times!). Nevertheless, simply as writing is considerably simpler with our dominant hand, so is setting and winding a watch. Don’t imagine me? Take your watch off your wrist and flip it the other way up so the crown is on the left. Now, holding the watch in your proper hand, undergo the motions of pulling out the crown and setting the time along with your left hand. That’s not really easy for you righties, is it? Effectively, now you understand how southpaws really feel when coping with a “normal” watch. Is it manageable? Certain, nevertheless it’s removed from excellent.
That’s not all, although. There are some added advantages of left-hand-drive watches for us righties. The primary benefit is that the crown gained’t dig into the again of your hand or protrude ahead into hurt’s method. This isn’t an excessive amount of of a difficulty in each day life. However for these of us who take our dive watches diving and use them because the instruments that they’re, it could possibly add some peace of thoughts and luxury. For this reason some Seiko and Citizen watches have their crowns at 4 o’clock or 8 o’clock, respectively. Within the case of the Doxa Sub 300T, which is a reasonably symmetrical watch with the crown deeply recessed into the case, the influence on this sense is minimal. Nevertheless, it’ll nonetheless be a godsend to all left-handed followers of Doxa divers on the market.
The Doxa Sub 300T Skilled Aristera
At first look, you could assume the Doxa Sub 300T Skilled Aristera is only a easy case of crown relocation. And for probably the most half, you’d be proper. The Aristera (Greek for “left”) makes use of the identical 42.5mm × 44.5mm × 14mm chrome steel case and flat sapphire crystal. However take a more in-depth look, and it turns into obvious that there’s extra to it than that. The very first thing to leap out at me was the bezel. This mannequin incorporates a particular aluminum insert, referencing a Sub 600T mannequin from the obscure Aubry period of Doxa within the ’80s. This insert incorporates a lume arrow for the 60-minute marker as a substitute of the same old orange and black circles. It’s a hanging look, particularly for these used to the same old brushed and polished chrome steel bezel insert, and it offers this destro Doxa a distinctively retro really feel.
You may additionally discover that, although the crown has relocated, the date window has not. So whereas the motion has undergone a 180° rotation, in line with the model, this incurred a collection of extra technical changes and revisions. Apart from that, it’s the identical successful Sub 300T method everyone knows and love. The watch has a helium escape valve (at 3 o’clock, after all) and is rated water-proof to 1,200 meters. The dial, palms, and bezel all have a beneficiant quantity of Tremendous-LumiNova for optimum low-light legibility.
This new lefty mannequin comes on the signature metal beads-of-rice bracelet, which incorporates a ratcheting dive extension within the clasp. As this can be a restricted version (of 300 items), Doxa throws in an additional two-piece nylon strap. The Sub 300T Aristera will probably be obtainable beginning in October at official factors of sale, and pre-orders are open now on the Doxa web site. The worth for this restricted version will probably be €2,490.
Go inexperienced — Sea Emerald inexperienced, that’s!
As I discussed, Doxa’s second piece of stories is the extension of the Sea Emerald inexperienced colorway. It’s a fairly self-explanatory announcement, however there’s some nuance. The Sea Emerald colorway is the eighth colour obtainable within the Doxa Sub assortment and was first seen on this yr’s 39mm Doxa Sub 200T. That authentic mannequin featured golden accents in its palms and indices. This will probably be echoed within the Sub 300 and Sub 300T references.
Nevertheless, the Sub 200, Sub 600T, and Sub 300 Carbon won’t get the golden contact. As an alternative, the sunburst inexperienced of the dial will probably be paired with silver palms for the Sub 200 and black ones for the opposite two fashions. The Sub 200 may have a black bezel insert, and the Sub 600T will probably be obtainable each with a black ceramic bezel and a metal different. Doxa may also provide these watches on an identical two-piece nylon strap for a decreased worth.
The Sea Emerald Sub vary is on the market for pre-order in the present day on the Doxa web site and can hit retailers by November.
Remaining ideas
So, what’s the rating? One limited-edition destro diver and 6 new references within the model’s eighth colorway. I’d name {that a} respectable efficiency from Doxa at Geneva Watch Days 2024. The brand new Doxa Sub 300T Skilled Aristera (restricted to 300 numbered items worldwide) is an actual winner. And although I favor my proper hand, the watch’s attraction is actually not misplaced on me. The truth that that is the very first destro Doxa additionally makes it a big milestone for the model and a collector-worthy piece (which comes at a €500 premium). If the response is optimistic, I wouldn’t be too stunned if we noticed a extra everlasting left-hand-drive addition to Doxa’s catalog within the subsequent yr or two.
For now, I’ll depart you with some questions: what do you consider these newest novelties from Doxa? Are you a fan of the destro diver? And the way do you are feeling concerning the Sea Emerald inexperienced colorway? Go away your ideas within the feedback part beneath.
