jamie weiss
Some things look better after a little break-in, like jeans, boots, guitars, and even watches. I fully agree that scratches on watches, especially tool watches, should not be polished. Because scratches help make the watch your own. But while I like things with a bit of patina, I’ve always been suspicious of “pre-distressed” products. Jeans with holes already left from the factory, damaged custom-shop guitars costing thousands of dollars, Golden Goose sneakers…it’s a strange kind of aesthetic stolen courage. I don’t particularly like “old” watches. Modern surface treatment and manufacturing techniques can make a new watch case or dial look like it’s been sitting at the bottom of the ocean or in a dusty shoebox for decades, but I… Not a fan of that. But maybe I’m a watch enthusiast. Maybe it’s time to rediscover your sense of whimsy and adventure and expand your horizons.
That’s exactly the thought process I had when testing Doxa’s SUB 300T Sharkhunter Clive Cussler. It’s not the kind of watch I’m usually interested in. Well, not for philosophical reasons, I’ve never even read Clive Cussler’s novel (though I’ve seen the Matthew McConaughey movie…), but after I got this watch, I couldn’t wait to strap it to my wrist for a while. When you look at it, it’s easy to understand why this kind of watch storytelling is so popular. And Doxa did it better than anyone else.
A quick note about straps
For the purpose of review, I fitted the Doxa SUB 300T Sharkhunter Clive Cussler (aka Clive Cussler V2) with the “Sand Beige” Artem HydroFlex strap. The watch comes with the option of an “aged” rice bead bracelet to match the case, but I thought I’d be adventurous. And this sandy Artem strap was a perfect match for this adventurer’s watch, as it matches the color of the watch. Perfectly aged luminous. Also, I’m personally not a big fan of Doxa’s rubber straps. A folding clasp adds a lot of bulk to your wrist, but the Artem HydroFlex’s thin form factor and pin buckle avoid that.
old soul
Before we talk about what it feels like to wear, let’s talk a little about how Doxa made this new stainless steel watch look so old. There are many ways to make “aged steel.” For example, Panerai uses a thin PVD coating and hand-finishes, tumbles, and polishes to create its “Brunito” aged steel cases. At a more affordable price point, Casio uses a similar process. Edox uses a technique that involves brushing a thin layer of rare earth minerals onto the top of old steel watches. You can also age your watch steel case yourself by baking it yourself, sanding it, or rubbing it with coffee grounds, as described in this DIY guide.
Doxa doesn’t explain the exact process they use to “age” the stainless steel on Clive Cussler models, but looking at the wording in Clive Cussler’s product description (which says it’s an aged finish), it seems like either It is thought that this is the case. PVD or DLC coating. This is ironic because this aging finish is a surface treatment, so it actually protects the watch from damage and natural aging, i.e. freezing over time. Doxa also describes its dial as “hand polished.” My guess is that they manufacture regular brass dials, scrub the surface with a low-grain sanding block, and then apply black surface treatments and graphics. Sinn does something similar with “Grinding Dials.”
Either way, this is one of the most convincing aged steel cases I’ve ever seen on a watch. It looks heavily oxidized and worn, with only the unblemished bright paint adorning the bezel and crown logos showing its true age. However, the dial is a little less convincing. Old lume and off-white date cars are great, but why would the dial get so scratchy without the hands and indexes being polished smooth? But we… You can suspend that disbelief. After all, you want to be able to read the clock.
Wake up the Titanic!
But what does it feel like when you wear it? In short, it’s kind of fun. What sets Doxa’s Clive Cussler model apart from other older steel diver’s watches on the market is its connection to Clive Cussler’s adventure stories, which gives it a sense of whimsy unlike any other model. I think so. After all, wearing an old steel watch is a kind of cosplay (just like wearing a tool watch when you’re nothing but a desk diver), but like any other watch, it’s a kind of cosplay. Rather than cosplaying as a sailor or diver, he embodies Dark Pit. He is certainly a man of steel-like action, but he is also resourceful. A charming villain. man of the world.
In fact, this is something worth bringing up. I think Doxa Clive Cussler shows the strength of the design that even people who aren’t Clive Cussler fans can appreciate. This version of the Shark Hunter also has a slightly dressier black dial, so I think it’s an upgrade over the original. It’s slightly more discreet than the parchment-like dial of the first SUB 300T Clive Cussler. This further extends its appeal and versatility.
A design feature that I secretly find genius is that the case back is engraved with the names of shipwrecks and other historical artifacts discovered or investigated by the National Underwater and Maritime Agency (NUMA). NUMA was originally a fictional U.S. government agency featured in Cussler’s book, but it was repurposed. It was founded in 1979 as a real private non-profit marine organization, and was funded and operated by Cussler himself until his death in 2020. Not only does this give the watch a tangible connection to Cussler’s fictional philanthropy, but to my eye it also resembles patterns and engravings found on Aztec artifacts (or Incan gold?) And that’s fitting for a watch that looks like an archaeological find in itself.
Aesthetics aside, this is a SUB 300T after all, and it’s a thoroughly capable tool watch. With a screw-down crown, automatic helium release valve, impressive unidirectional diving bezel, and 300 meter water resistance with a sturdy cushion-shaped case, you can’t fault the SUB 300T. I have a large wrist so I can accommodate a 42.5mm case (honestly, it’s not that big). What I can’t stand is the 38 hour power reserve. This is a little overwhelming, especially at this price point, you can’t have it all.
lastly
You may not find me wearing ripped jeans any time soon, but you’ll be convinced when I wear the Doxa SUB 300T Sharkhunter Clive Cussler again. Doxa could easily have gone a more hackneyed route, paying homage to the world of Clive Cussler, but it does so rather tastefully. This model brilliantly straddles the line between Boy’s Own, Indiana Jones, Pulp Fiction playfulness, and general wearability, and underneath its faux aged exterior is an undeniably great dive watch. It is helped by the fact that it is equipped with
Doxa SUB 300T Sharkhunter Clive Cussler price and availability
The Doxa SUB 300T Sharkhunter Clive Cussler is limited to just 93 pieces and is available now. A portion of the overall profits from the sale of the watch will be donated to NUMA. Price: $3,250. Learn more about the combined Artem HydroFlex strap here. Price: $218.
Brand Doxa Model SUB 300T Sharkhunter Clive Cussler Case dimensions 42.5mm (D) x 14mm (T) x 44.5mm (LTL) Case material Stainless steel with antique coating Water resistance 300 meters, screw-down crown Crystal Sapphire dial Hands – Grand Shark Hunter Black Lug Width 20mm Bracelet and Strap Matching Rice Bead Bracelet with Folding Clasp
FKM rubber strap with antique folding clasp
(Photo shown with 3rd party Artem HydroFlex strap, Sand Beige) Movement Sellita SW200-1, automatic power reserve 38 hours Functions Hours, minutes, seconds, date, unidirectional rotating bezel, helium release valve Availability Limited to 93 pieces Price 3,250 dollar
Manufactured in partnership with Artem Straps. However, the opinions expressed in this article are our own based on our editorial policy.
