Introducing: The Second Version Of The Doxa Sub 300T Clive Cussler
You may have missed it, but last week would have marked Clive Cussler’s 93rd birthday. The famous adventure author wrote over 80 books and sold over 100,000,000 copies before passing away in 2020. Both Cussler and Dirk Pitt, his most famous protagonist, were known to wear Doxa watches. This spawned a fruitful relationship with the brand. Doxa celebrated the shared history with a special Clive Cussler watch last year. The brand now follows up with a second version.
The latest Cussler edition is a Doxa Sub 300T with a black dial and distressed case and bracelet. There is plenty to unpack, so let’s get into it!
Doxa and Clive Cussler
The relationship between Doxa and Clive Cussler dates back to before brand ambassadors were a thing. This was an organic endorsement and a matter of fate. Clive Cussler worked at a dive shop in the ’60s while honing his writing skills. He left the job when he scored his first publishing deal, and the shop owner gave him a Doxa Sub 300T Professional (orange) as a parting gift.
Cussler went on to outfit his fictional hero Dirk Pitt with the same orange Doxa Sub 300T. Naturally, this endorsement worked miracles for Doxa. Having Jacques Cousteau and Clive Cussler on board quickly cemented the brand’s name in the diving world. It’s no wonder, then, that Doxa chose to celebrate this fact with a second limited edition.
The Doxa Sub 300T Sharkhunter Clive Cussler
Last year’s Cussler 300T had a rather special aged case and bracelet and a sand-colored dial adorned with a compass rose. Although the entire watch featured aging effects, the dial looked particularly antique. It reminded me of an old parchment document preserved underwater for centuries.
This year’s version is technically the same watch but with a less radical dial. It is still embellished with a compass rose and faux patina, but it is Sharkhunter black this time. The aged white date disc matches the hour markers but not the yellowed lume.
The entire case and bracelet are covered in tiny scratches, resulting in a darker, aged look. It appears as if this watch has seen decades of intensive wear. Paired with the aged dial, the Clive Cussler Doxa looks like an ancient relic. It could be a mystical object from some long-lost civilization. Doxa offers the watch in a Clive Cussler book-shaped box, emphasizing the adventurous vibe.
Doxa Sub 300T Clive Cussler specs
This is a true Doxa Sub underneath all the aged surfaces. This means you get a 42.5 × 44.5 × 14mm cushion-shaped dive watch in stainless steel. Notably, though, this version has a 300m water resistance rating, contrasting the current standard 300T’s 1,200m spec. Perhaps this is because the vintage Sub 300T Cussler wore predated the four-fold increase. Regardless, the unidirectional bezel still shows no-decompression depths and their associated times alongside elapsed dive time. A flat sapphire crystal tops it all off.
Inside ticks Sellita caliber SW200-1. The movement has a power reserve of 38 hours and ticks at 28,800 beats per hour. Doxa applies some decoration, but this is what some would call a workhorse caliber at heart. The brand does not provide accuracy ratings for the movement in this watch.
You get a combination of the characteristic Doxa beads-of-rice bracelet and an FKM rubber strap. The strap measures 20mm between the lugs, meaning you play with aftermarket options to your heart’s content. Still, the two options provided are very appealing. Naturally, both the steel bracelet and rubber strap’s folding clasps feature a wetsuit extension. This is no desk diver, after all.
NUMA
Clive Cussler wasn’t just an author but also an avid adventurer. As such, he founded the National Underwater & Marine Agency (NUMA) in 1979. This non-profit organization dedicates itself to American maritime and naval history. Its volunteers, including Cussler himself, have discovered dozens of historically important wrecks, performing archaeological surveys and conservation.
The names of the shipwrecks and important sites discovered by NUMA are engraved on the case back of this Sub 300T. It only adds to the relic aesthetic. A portion of the profits from this limited edition goes to NUMA, supporting its ongoing efforts.
Initial impressions of the Doxa Sub 300T Sharkhunter Clive Cussler
Admittedly, I was not a huge fan of the first Clive Cussler version of the Doxa Sub 300T. In my humble opinion, the dial looked a little too dirty, which made the watch a bit gimmicky. This new Sharkhunter black version goes a long way to solving that problem.
Generally, I am allergic to faux patina, but this 300T is different. Here, it is part of a complete aging job, making it look congruent and fitting. At a glance, this watch really looks like it was dredged up from the ocean floor. Admittedly, the dial is still a bit much for me, but I do like the aging on the case. I can also imagine it is nice to wear a pre-scratched watch. At least that fear of the first scratch is taken care of for you!
I have one big wish, just in case Doxa decides to do a third edition. How about fitting it with an aged orange dial without the compass? Make it look like someone found Dirk Pitt’s original Sub 300T in the hull of some shark-infested wreck. I reckon that would look awesome!
Pricing and availability
The new Doxa Sub 300T Sharkhunter Clive Cussler has a price of €3,350. This includes the bracelet and rubber strap, a book-shaped box, and a letter from Dirk Cussler, Clive’s son. To mark what would have been Cussler’s 93rd birthday, only 93 pieces were produced. They are still available on Doxa’s website.
What do you think of the new Sub 300T? Let us know in the comments section below!
