DOXA 'Sector Two-Tone Dial' New Old Stock

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Before DOXA became synonymous with brightly colored dive watches and the SUB 300, the Swiss manufacture produced an enormous variety of handsome, practical wristwatches. This 1940s DOXA comes from that earlier chapter, and its remarkable new-old-stock condition offers a particularly evocative glimpse of the brand before the dive-watch era.

Housed in a compact 33mm stainless steel case, the watch features a wonderfully graphic two-tone sector dial. A dark outer chapter contrasts with the lighter central field, while oversized Arabic numerals at the cardinal hours and luminous baton markers give the watch a distinctly utilitarian character. Around the perimeter, a finely printed minute track adds another layer of information without disrupting the design's strong geometry.

The handset is equally appealing. Broad luminous hour and minute hands are joined by a slender central seconds hand, creating the sort of high-contrast display associated with military and civilian watches of the period. Decades of aging have given the luminous material and printing a warm patina, providing an appealing counterpoint to the otherwise remarkably preserved watch.

Inside is a manually wound mechanical movement, exactly the sort of straightforward, dependable mechanism one expects from a mid-century DOXA. At 33mm, the case also retains the compact proportions typical of the 1940s, while its broad dial opening gives it considerably more presence than the dimensions might suggest.

Most compelling is the condition. This example is offered as New Old Stock and retains its original hand tag, a wonderfully rare survivor for a watch approaching eight decades old. A second grey waterproof strap accompanies it and is additionally fitted with a black leather strap and stainless steel pin buckle.

Long before orange dials and decompression bezels defined DOXA for a new generation, watches like this established the foundation: legible, purposeful Swiss watchmaking with a strong sense of design.

DOXA began Research and Development for the Sub 300 in 1964, under a team helmed by Urs Eschle, the brand's head of operations, who consulted professional divers including none other than the father of SCUBA himself, Jacques-Yves Cousteau.

Since wearability was crucial, Eschle designed a large case with wide, rounded lugs. For the dial, the team tested several colors (orange, yellow, turquoise, and red) in the waters of Lake Neuchâtel. An unprecedented amount of tritium was also used on the hands and hour indices.

The team implemented a unidirectional bezel with an innovative insert: the U.S. Navy No Decompression chart, with the outer depth scale in orange and the minute scale in black, to help divers gauge how much air remained in their tanks. Rounding out the Sub 300's innovative design was a beads-of-rice bracelet that was the first to feature a ratcheting, expandable clasp capable of fitting over a diver's wetsuit without removing links.

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Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a two-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.