Doxa Watch Company

[andrema]

For the Doxaholics out there...a bit of history about Doxa and other information/resources:



The Doxa company was founded in 1889 by Georges Ducommun. The ambitious twenty-one year old craftsman created high quality timepieces, initially pocket watches often with exquisite hand-decoration, progressing to award-winning wristwatches as the company earned respect and success.

Under its founder the Doxa watch brand became an innovator within the industry when in 1908 he patented an 8-day watch movement. This pioneering mechanical movement was placed in a larger case making it the perfect timepiece for the latest new leisure pursuits of that time - aviation and motor cars. One of the most famous names in motoring history, Bugatti used the Doxa 8-day movement instrument in the iconic Type 35 Bugatti.

The Doxa watch company came under the ownership of Jacques Nardin when its founder died in 1936. Nardin, the son-in-law of Georges Ducommun was the grandson of another famous watchmaker, Ulysse Nardin. Having had a history of timekeeping within aviation and motor racing, Nardin sought to take the Doxa brand into a new niche - that of the divers watch.

During the 1960’s diving, once considered to be a military activity was becoming a popular recreational pastime. Developed after consultation with the U.S. Diving Association, some of who had worked with Jacques Cousteau, the first Doxa diving watch, the Doxa Sub300t was unveiled in 1967. This diving watch surpassed any that had gone before it in terms of technical achievement and looks. With many new features including a unidirectional bezel, resulting in a no-decompression limit indicator, perhaps the most unique element of this watch was cosmetic - the Sub300t had a unique orange dial, perfect for legibility in mid-range diving depths. (Original patent --->>> http://www.doxawatches.com/docs/complete_patent_filing.swf)

Soon after the introduction of the Sub300t, the Swiss watch industry was hard-hit economically by the quartz watch revolution. Accurate, reliable and small timepieces could now be made without the mechanical movements that the Swiss specialized in constructing. In response, Doxa joined a group of Swiss watchmakers to consolidate resources. This eventually failed and Doxa, after being sold, ceased operations in about 1980.

Doxa was purchased by the Jenny family of Switzerland. Since August 2002, Doxa has introduced re-editions of its well known watches and timepieces in limited quantities. Many are faithful to their original models in design and construction, and all use Swiss movements (other parts may be non-Swiss).

Doxa Innovations

* First Commercial dive watch, Sub300t in 1967.

* First watch with a rotating bezel to compute no-decompression times, Sub 300t, 1967.

* 8 Day Movement, 1908.

* Helium release valve; first watch with a helium release valve. Doxa, in conjunction with Rolex, invented and introduced the first dive watches with a helium release valve, which prevented this helium buildup. While this was a major advance at the time, few actual watches with this feature were produced. Doxa introduced the Sub300t Conquistador in 1969 featuring a helium release valve. Rolex introduced this feature into its Sea-Dweller watch in 1971.

Doxa's dive watches adhere to the following naming conventions:

Professional - refers to an orange faced dive watch
Sharkhunter - refers to a black faced dive watch
Searambler - refers to a silver (metallic) faced dive watch
Caribbean - refers to a blue faced dive watch
Divingstar - refers to a yellow faced dive watch
Conquistador - refers to a watch with a helium release valve

Resources:
Montres DOXA SA
Rue de Zurich 23A, P.O. Box 8542, CH-2500 Bienne 8
Tel. +41 (0)32 344 42 72, Fax +41 (0)32 344 42 70

http://www.doxawatches.com/
http://www.doxa300t.com/
http://www.associatepublisher.com/e/d/do/doxa_s.a..htm
They have a forum...I just forget where it is

[docrwm]

Great history, rich with achievements. Sadly, two different companies.

[andrema]

I know Doc! The problems with the painting on the hands, $45 screws, the DOXA forum mods...crazy stuff!

[mrneddles]

The website/screen cap that put me personally off the brand:

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[docrwm]

Sad. I have nothing against watches from the Far East, far from it. My problem is with those who portray their watches as Old Swiss when they are anything but. Ah well.

[andrema]

Here is a shot of my 1200T Searambler! One of the "questionable" models

Nice watch, good quality!!

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