Doxa expands its treasure trove with the SUB 300T Sharkhunter Clive Cussler
Buffy AcaciaMysterious shipwrecks, long-lost artefacts, and alternate realities are all hallmarks of a classic Clive Cussler novel, and they’ll also be featuring in your daydreams whenever you check the time on the Doxa SUB 300T Sharkhunter Clive Cussler. When the first collaboration was released last year, I’d never seen anything like it. Aged cases have been done before, but it’s rare to see a watch that embraces a character so deeply. Honouring what would have been the late Clive Cussler’s 93rd birthday, the Doxa SUB 300T Clive Cussler has returned with a dark Sharkhunter dial.
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The case
Both Clive Cussler and his fictional hero Dirk Pitt wore a 1960s Doxa SUB 300T, because it is the quintessential ‘60s diver. Colourful, quirky, and cushion-cased, the modern incarnation of the SUB 300T is pretty much a spot-on reissue when it comes to wearability. A 42.5mm diameter can sound a little intimidating if your wrists are on the small side, but it’s actually only 44.5mm from lug to lug thanks to that cushion shape. The 14mm thickness suits its bulky charm without going overboard, and the 300 metres of water resistance is more than enough for pretty much any form of water-related activity.
It’s impossible to overlook the finish on this stainless steel case. It hasn’t actually been lost in a coral reef for fifty years, it’s just been coated to look as if it’s been oxidised and scuffed up. This treatment extends to every metallic surface on the watch so that nothing can break the immersion, but it’s not so rough that you can’t read the decompression markings on the bezel. It’s a pretty brave move to make a watch look this old when it’s brand new, but it seems like the first reference must have sold well enough to warrant this sequel. Heaps of companies will play around with crazy dials, but it takes real commitment to alter a case this much.
The dial
If you ever made a treasure map as a kid, burning the edges with a lighter and staining the paper with tea bags or coffee, then this is the watch for you. The wear and tear really contribute to the story of age and adventure far more than just off-white luminous paint, and even the date window uses parchment tones to hold back on the amount of clean white. The compass rose is front and centre, and thin lines emanate from it to evoke the spokes of a ship’s wheel. Each dial is ground by hand, making the specific array of scratches and blemishes unique for every watch.
Stripping back everything that makes the Clive Cussler model what it is, the Doxa SUB 300T roots are very much intact. The white printing hasn’t been discoloured like the Super-LumiNova, and the off-centre text is intrinsic to the watch’s playfulness. You’ll also notice throughout the course of owning this watch that the numbers 7, 15, and 31 on the date wheel are coloured red, and that’s in reference to the author’s birthday on July 15th, 1931.
The bracelet
You can’t have a watch that looks like sunken treasure and then put a shiny new bracelet on it. The beads-of-rice bracelet, which is a classic pairing for any diver and especially a Doxa, looks incredible with the case-matched antique finish. The clasp is no different, and no shiny metal can be seen, even when the diver’s extension is fully open. There is a black FKM rubber strap if you feel the need for a slightly more modern look, but even then, the folding clasp has been given the shipwreck treatment. If you think you can find something that makes it even more fun to wear, the 20mm lug width allows for plenty of options. The inside of one of the lugs is also inscribed with a number out of 93, signifying the limited edition.
The movement
The Doxa SUB 300T Sharkhunter Clive Cussler is by no means a complicated watch, and thus the Sellita SW200-1 makes a perfectly fine movement. It’s not exactly a prestige calibre, but it’s proven itself to be a reliable and accurate movement in the same manner as the ETA 2824-2 it’s based on. The 28,800vph beat rate gives a smooth sweep to the seconds hand, the date display is able to be quick-set via the crown, and the automatic winding keeps the 38-hour power reserve topped up throughout a day of wear. The caseback screws down over it, and is etched with the names of shipwrecks and artefacts discovered by NUMA, once a fictional organisation in Cussler’s books, then founded and run by him until his death in 2020.
The verdict
As excited as I was by the original reference, I was a little afraid that it was going to be too niche to be popular. Even though the Doxa SUB 300T Sharkhunter Clive Cussler is a limited edition of only 93 pieces, it’s reassuring to see that new models are coming out. Doxa has a track record of following limited editions up with similar standard production references, so it would be incredible to see a line of non-Clive Cussler watches sporting the same treated case and worn dials. As it stands, the Sharkhunter Clive Cussler is a thrilling, dark take on the first version.
Doxa SUB 300T Sharkhunter Clive Cussler pricing and availability
The Doxa SUB 300T Sharkhunter Clive Cussler is limited to just 93 pieces, and is available now. Part of the overall profit will be donated to NUMA. Price: US$3,250
| 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 metres, screw-down crown |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Hand-ground Sharkhunter black |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Bracelet and strap | Case-matching beads-of-rice bracelet, folding clasp FKM rubber strap with antique folding clasp |
| Movement | Sellita SW200-1, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 38 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| Availability | Limited to 93 pieces |
| Price | US$3,250 |