Introducing: The Doxa Sub 250T GMT — A Multi-Timezone Watch Returns By Popular Demand
If you consider yourself a passionate diver, chances are that you strive to dive in different underwater habitats. After all, variety is the spice of life, isn’t it? So you may find yourself traveling all over the globe, looking for diving hotspots. Unfortunately, the Doxa on your wrist does not aid in keeping track of time in multiple places as you zip through time zones. Well, until today, that is! Doxa now presents the Sub 250T GMT.
Could this be the perfect travel companion for globetrotting divers? Let’s have a closer look!
By popular demand
This is one of those releases that instantly make sense. In fact, my first thought was, “Doesn’t Doxa make a GMT already?” As it turns out, no such model existed in the brand’s catalog — not recently, at least. Doxa made the Sub 750T GMT back in 2006, but it hasn’t offered any since.
The press information tells us that there was a rather loud call from retailers and clients for a new multi-timezone model from Doxa. Now, I usually don’t pay much attention to such claims, as they often feel a bit farfetched or even fabricated. This time, however, I completely believe it. The GMT complication is extremely popular across the board, especially among adventure watches. It does not surprise me one bit that Doxa fans longed for this.
Now, almost two decades after the previous Doxa GMT, we’re finally getting a new one — or, rather, 18. In typical Doxa fashion, we get nine colors and two bracelet/strap options for each. I, for one, am glad not to be responsible for operations at this Swiss dive-watch brand.
The new Doxa Sub 250T GMT
So, what is this new Doxa Sub 250T GMT? In essence, this new model looks like the classic Doxa Sub 300T diver. The case, however, shrinks from 42.5mm to 40mm across. From lug to lug, it measures 42.9mm, while the thickness is a sweet 10.85mm. This is a fair bit smaller than the Sub 300T, which speaks to Doxa’s efforts to make this a more everyday-friendly dive watch. Doxa also gives it an ample 250m depth rating.
Inside ticks a Swiss mechanical automatic caliber. Doxa does not specify a make or model, nor does it tell us whether it is a flyer or a caller GMT. The provided specs don’t match any current offering precisely, but I suspect this might be a Sellita SW330-1. While Sellita specifies the power reserve at 52 hours, Doxa claims “approximately 50 hours.” Close enough for me! This caliber measures just 4.1mm thick, which aligns with the slim overall profile of the Doxa Sub 250T GMT. There aren’t currently any Swiss flyer-style GMT ébauche calibers in this segment on the market, so I would bet that this is a caller GMT.
Of course, the Doxa Sub 250T GMT comes with all the Doxa goodness, from the intricate unidirectional bezel and colorful dials to the beads-of-rice bracelet and characterful flaring tonneau case. This is a Doxa through and through, simply with a GMT function thrown in.
Plenty of variety in the Doxa Sub 250T GMT lineup
As mentioned, Doxa is releasing a whopping 18 new references. That’s nine colors times two bracelet/strap options. Most of the offerings will look familiar to those familiar with the brand. You get all the classic colors with their classic names. There is Professional orange, Divingstar yellow, Sharkhunter black, and so on.
Some of the more recent colors also made their way to the new model. The popular Whitepearl and last year’s Sea Emerald sunburst green are present. New for this year is the Vintage option. This variant sports a black gradient sunburst dial with beige lume. This is the first time Doxa has used a vignette dial on any of its watches, and it’s certainly an on-trend choice.
Initial impressions
As I alluded to earlier, my initial thought was, “Are those new?” That’s a good thing because it means these watches perfectly suit the brand — so much so that they don’t even feel new. I think Doxa took a clever approach in making these slimmer and subtler than most of their siblings. Even if you are a hardcore diver, your ultimate travel companion must be somewhat versatile. If you pick a more modest color option, this will also work as an everyday sports watch.
I find the GMT hand slightly confusing. I like its skeletonized shape and how it doesn’t distract from the main timezone. However, as it shares its dimensions with the minute hand rather than the hour hand, I find it a bit nonintuitive when reading the second time zone. Doxa took this design from the original Sub 750T GMT, so at least it has historical precedence.
Truthfully, I struggle to express strong opinions. I like Doxa dive watches, and these don’t deviate from the winning recipe. At €2,550 on rubber and €2,590 on steel, these Sub 250T GMT models are quite appealing, and I would surely consider one if I were in the market for a travel watch. My one gripe is with the vintage dial, as my regular readers will surely already know. Can we please stop with all the vignette dials, especially on tool watches? Otherwise, kudos, Doxa! I am sure these will do very well for you!
What do you think of the new Doxa Sub 250T GMT? Let us know in the comments below!
