Some collaborations are born out of marketing opportunities, while others are rooted in genuine history. The partnership between DOXA and Clive Cussler undoubtedly belongs to the latter. Through his Dirk Pitt novels, the American author helped establish the SUB 300 as one of the most recognisable dive watches in watchmaking, making it an integral part of the adventures of his legendary protagonist.
To celebrate what would have been Clive Cussler‘s 95th birthday, the Swiss brand has unveiled the new DOXA SUB 300 Ti5 Clive Cussler, a Limited Edition of 300 individually numbered pieces that marks the return of Grade 5 titanium to the SUB collection while introducing an all-new two-layer dial. An evolution that brings meaningful innovation without losing sight of one of the brand’s most iconic models.
GRADE 5 TITANIUM RETURNS TO THE SUB COLLECTION
Introduced in 1967, the SUB 300 was DOXA‘s first professional dive watch designed for the general public while meeting the demanding requirements of serious underwater use. It is this very reference that forms the basis of the edition dedicated to Clive Cussler, bringing Grade 5 titanium back to the collection. The material is prized for its outstanding strength-to-weight ratio, excellent corrosion resistance and exceptional comfort on the wrist.
For this edition, Grade 5 titanium is used not only for the 42.50 mm case, but also for the crown, caseback and the new dial structure, helping make this SUB 300 one of the lightest and most robust models ever produced by the brand.
The project also carries a meaning that goes beyond a simple tribute. Part of the proceeds from each watch sold will be donated to NUMA (National Underwater and Marine Agency), the organisation founded by Clive Cussler in 1979 and dedicated to the research, study and preservation of historically significant shipwrecks. A fitting decision that further strengthens the long-standing connection between the American author and the world of DOXA.
A DIAL THAT ADDS A NEW DIMENSION
The most significant innovation of this reference is its dial, which for the first time features a two-layer construction. It consists of two overlapping Grade 5 titanium components. The lower layer houses the hour markers and minute track, both coated with Super-LumiNova, while the upper layer features laser-cut openings that precisely follow the geometry of the elements beneath.
The same concept has also been applied to the minute markers and the date aperture, creating a refined three-dimensional effect that adds remarkable depth without compromising legibility. The subtle gap between the two layers creates a natural interplay of light and shadow, visible both in bright daylight and in low-light conditions, while the sandblasted finish preserves the technical character that has always distinguished the SUB collection.
TRUE TO ITS DIVING HERITAGE
Despite introducing a completely redesigned dial, the SUB 300 retains all the elements that have made it such an enduring icon. The case measures 42.50 mm in diameter, 45 mm lug-to-lug and 13.40 mm thick, while the anti-reflective sapphire box crystal faithfully recalls the design of the original 1967 model. Water resistance remains unchanged at 300 metres (30 ATM).
The watch also retains DOXA‘s patented unidirectional rotating bezel, featuring the brand’s signature dual-scale system that correlates dive depth and bottom time according to the US Navy‘s no-decompression limits – a solution that remains one of the defining features of the SUB 300.
Completing the dial is the unmistakable orange minute hand, designed to ensure the most critical information during a dive can be read instantly. The same colour also appears on the outer bezel ring and on the 15th, 7th and 31st numerals of the date wheel, serving as a subtle reference to Clive Cussler‘s birth date.
COSC-CERTIFIED MOVEMENT AND EXCLUSIVE DETAILS
Powering the DOXA SUB 300 Ti5 Clive Cussler is the proven Sellita SW200-1, a COSC-certified self-winding mechanical movement operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), fitted with 26 jewels and offering a power reserve of approximately 38 hours. For this special edition, the calibre features exclusive DOXA finishing that reinforces the distinctive character of the watch.
The screw-down caseback, also crafted from Grade 5 titanium, is engraved with the NUMA emblem, the COSC certification and the individual numbering of each of the 300 pieces produced. Completing the watch is a black Dive Flex rubber strap, whose signature perforated pattern draws inspiration from the straps fitted to the earliest SUB 300 models of the 1960s, reinterpreted with a contemporary touch.
OUR THOUGHTS
With the SUB 300 Ti5 Clive Cussler, DOXA has avoided the easiest route of simply placing a famous name on an existing model. Instead, this Limited Edition introduces tangible innovations, beginning with the return of Grade 5 titanium and the newly developed dial architecture, while preserving the proportions, design language and personality that have made the SUB 300 a benchmark among contemporary dive watches.
It is precisely this balance between innovation and continuity that makes the project so convincing. Rather than attempting to reinvent an icon, the updates refine its evolution through thoughtful and coherent improvements. The result is a Limited Edition that does more than celebrate Clive Cussler‘s legacy – it adds a new chapter to the story of the SUB 300 while preserving the character that has defined it for nearly six decades.
The DOXA SUB 300 Ti5 Clive Cussler is produced in a Limited Edition of 300 individually numbered pieces and has been available since this month at a retail price of € 3,190. For the first time, a Clive Cussler Limited Edition can be purchased both through DOXA‘s official website and via the brand’s authorised retailers.
By Jacopo Giudici