With a finish that looks like it’s been buried in a treasure chest underwater for the last few decades and ties to a not-particularly-zeitgeisty author, the Doxa Sub 300T Clive Cussler Special Edition is not your typical new release. As the name suggests, it’s inspired by the works of acclaimed American adventure novelist and underwater explorer Clive Cussler. The late author penned over 85 novels, with two of Cussler’s books adapted into films; Raise of the Titanic (1980) and Sahara (2005).
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Cussler’s works were vital in showcasing Swiss watch manufacturer Doxa to the world, with the (now-)recognisable orange dial diver found on the wrist of fictional explorer Dirk Pitt, played by Matthew McConaughey, in Sahara. Paying homage to the late author, the Doxa Sub 300T Clive Cussler Special Edition reimagines a key model in the Doxa lineup, with an artistically aged twist.
Retaining the proportions of the regular Sub 300T — which has a 42.5mm case — the Clive Cussler Special Edition introduced a handmade dial that references a vintage compass and uses an aged steel appearance on the case, bracelet, bezel, and pin buckle. Doxa scratches up the watch for you, fast-forwarding the years to allow for a richly patinated appearance upon first wear. According to Doxa, the “timepiece’s aged effect is a reflection of a nautical artefact’s journey and the conditions it endured during its time submerged in the depth.”
On the parchment-like dial, the dates seven, 15, and 31 are printed in red, referencing Cussler’s birthday. On the side of the bezel, each timepiece is engraved with its own number. Flip it over and you’ll find the names of more than 72 shipwrecks and artefacts that Cussler’s National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA) has discovered over the course of the agency’s operation. In an apt move, a portion of the proceeds of the watch will be donated to NUMA.
The Doxa Sub 300T Clive Cussler Special Edition is kept ticking by the calibre ETA 2824-2, equipped with a 38-hour power reserve. The timepiece is presented on an aged beads-of-rice bracelet and comes with an additional beige NATO strap.
The Sub 300T Clive Cussler Special Edition is priced at $4295AUD and is available via the Doxa webstore.
Words by Theo Rosen
