Doxa has finally presented its limited-edition SUB 4000T Professional 10th Anniversary diving tool. Sporting a traditionally oversized, cushion-shaped stainless steel body, the 10th Anniversary edition offers you everything that a professional diver can expect from this kind of device: a highly legible dial, an impressive water resistance rating, and a highly dependable Swiss-made automatic movement that will last for years. All that comes at a pretty affordable price.
First, let me clarify things a little.
Although the “10th Anniversary” part of the name may sound like the company entered the business of making luxury watches only in 2001, it is not so, sorry.
The year was marked by several “re-issues” of Doxa’s “classic” models from the 1960s that created the brand’s current unique design language (well, at least when it comes to divers.) So, this may sound a bit ridiculous for a moment, but this particular SUB 4000T Professional is a “re-issue of a re-issue” that was designed for fans of the brand who were too young back in 2001 to afford a professional diving companion and who are now wary of buying one on a second-hand market.
And now, lo and behold! After long weeks of salivation-inspiring teasing photos and snippy messages on specialized forums that -I suspect- have resulted in several family incidents and prematurely gray hair, the American-owned Swiss-based brand has revealed some photos of a production version of their new “semi-pro.”
Rated, um, down to almost stunning 4000 feet (1220 meters) and featuring their signature exterior design with the usual US Navy Decompression Dive Time bezel, the watch looks like a real treat for die-hard fans of the brand.
The Anniversary edition comes in a rather large 47 mm case (including crown protection) and features Doxa’s signature orange and black color scheme.
Although the black and white hour markers look a little nonchalant, the dial and bezel offer good legibility underwater and an adequate contrast on the surface. The date window at 3 o’clock looks too small, though.
Of course, the “Safe Dive” words printed near the power reserve indicator look vulgar and confusing, since some customers may think that this is a depth meter or a dive timer.
The SUB 4000T is powered by an ETA 2897 Top grade automatic movement.
This is the same ETA 2892-A2 caliber with a power reserve indication. The same movement is used in such watches as Longines Evedenza, Oris Frank Sinatra, Tag Heuer Aquagraph, and Eterna KonTiki.
At this time, Doxa offers the SUB 4000T Professional at a special pre-order price of $1890 plus shipping. Compared to other divers equipped with a similar mechanism, the anniversary edition may look expensive, but the price differential is well justified by the timekeeper’s impressive water resistance rating and its overall “rugged luxury” aura that gives even a lot more expensive pieces like Omega Seamaster a run for their money.
If you want to get one, you have got to be swift, since the company plans to limit the diver’s production to only 300 timepieces.
See also: DOXA SUB 600T-Graph series
Photos: Doxa
Doxa SUB 4000T 10th Anniversary specification
Price: $1890 (MSRP)
Movement: Caliber ETA 2897 (Top grade,) diameter 25.60 mm, height: 4.85 mm, ball-bearing self-winding mechanism, stop seconds, ETACHRON index assembly, Swiss Made
Winding: Automatic
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Jewels: 21
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, power reserve
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case: Stainless steel
Shape: Tonneau
Bezel shape: Round
Size: 47.00 mm (Diameter excluding the crown protection: 44.00mm, Lug to lug: 48.00mm)
Lug width: 22.00 mm
Case height: 16.00 mm
Dial: Orange
Hands: Steel, luminous
Hour markers: Applied, luminous
Water resistance: 1220 meters (4000 ft)
Strap: Steel bracelet
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Solid, engraved