With a rich history dating back to 1889, DOXA were the first watch brand to produce a dedicated and affordable professional diving watch for the wider public. During the 1960's they became the "official watches" of the Swiss Army's Elite Diver's Unit with SUB 300T Professional watches worn on the wrists of diver's on active duty. This trusted partnership eventually led to the introduction of the aptly named "Army" in 1968; a collaboration to develop a dedicated tool watch with fully blacked out case and sand coloured dial for maximum legibility underwater. After more than 50 years since its debut, we see the re-introduction of the DOXA Army with a similar sand-beige dial, and for the first time in DOXA's history, a bronze or steel bezel with ceramic insert.

DOXA Army in hunter green and black cermaic bezel with stainless steel case

The Design

The DOXA Army follows on from the original with a similar design and modern day performance. Machined from 316L stainless steel, the 42.5mm tonneau case is designed to sit comfortably on various wrist sizes. This is down to its short 44.5mm lug-to-lug length and 11.9mm thickness. Topped with a scratch resistant sapphire crystal and solid case back, the Army can reach depths of 300 meters or 984 feet, therefore DOXA have incorporated a helium escape valve onto the case flank to prevent the build up of pressure inside the watch when decompressing from a saturation dive. The unidirectional countdown bezel is used to time crucial compass-guided swims, and for the first time in the brands history, bronze has been introduced and comes paired with a hunter green ceramic bezel insert. In addition to bronze, there is a stainless steel option with black ceramic insert for a more traditional look.

Doxa Army on the wrist of a gentleman reading a map

Dial and Straps

DOXA have maximised readability with a healthy coating of Super-Luminova® on all the hands, five minute markings and bezel. Similarly to the original, the Army features a sand-beige dial, black chapter ring with white minute markings and date window at 3 o'clock. Painted in DOXA's famous orange, the hands on the Army feature a unique squared and triangular design; the bottom of each hand is painted black to add separation and enhance legibility underwater and in low light conditions. The watch comes with a camo nato strap which matches the original camouflage used at the time by the Swiss Army, and the choice of a stainless steel "beads of rice" bracelet or FKM rubber strap in hunter green or black.

DOXA Army on stainless steel bracelet and camouflaged nato strap

The Movement

Under the dial you will find the ETA 2824 automatic calibre. As a result of its reliable timekeeping and easy servicing, it is widely regarded as one of best workhorse movements in watch industry. The ETA 2824 has a power reserve of 38 hours, a frequency of 28,800vph and features DOXA decorations.

The DOXA Army solid case back

The DOXA Army starts from £1,875 and is available to pre-order now with delivery commencing October 2022.

The Specifications

References:

785.10.031.10 / stainless steel bezel / black ceramic insert / stainless steel bracelet

785.10.031.20 / stainless steel bezel / black ceramic insert / black FKM rubber strap

785.60.031.10 / bronze bezel / hunter green ceramic insert / stainless steel bracelet

785.60.031.26 / bronze bezel / hunter green ceramic insert / hunter green FKM rubber strap

785.60.031.20 / bronze bezel / hunter green ceramic insert / black FKM rubber strap

Case: Stainless steel.

Glass: Sapphire crystal.

Diameter: 42.5mm

Thickness: 11.9mm.

Lug-to-lug: 44.5mm.

Water Resistance: 300 meters

Dial: Sand-beige

Hands: Hours, minutes and seconds.

Strap: Stainless steel "beads of rice" bracelet / FKM rubber strap in hunter green or black / camouflage nato strap

The Movement

Calibre: ETA 2824.

Power Reserve: 38 hours.

Attributes: 28,800vph, 25 rubies and DOXA decorations.

Pricing & Availability

Price: 

£1,915 - 785.10.031.10 / stainless steel bezel / black ceramic insert / stainless steel bracelet

£1,875 - 785.10.031.20 / stainless steel bezel / black ceramic insert / black FKM rubber strap

£2,105 - 785.60.031.10 / bronze bezel / hunter green ceramic insert / stainless steel bracelet

£2,070 - 785.60.031.26 / bronze bezel / hunter green ceramic insert / hunter green FKM rubber strap

£2,070 - 785.60.031.20 / bronze bezel / hunter green ceramic insert / black FKM rubber strap

Availability: Available to pre-order now. Delivery October 2022.

Learn more about Doxa here.