DOXA Army

We aren't shy about our love of DOXA here at Analog:Shift!

While perhaps not as well-known as the Blancpain Fifty-Fathoms or the Rolex Submariner, the DOXA Sub series played an integral role in the development of the modern diver's watch. The first generation of the model, introduced in 1967, brought innovations we now take for granted — a unidirectional bezel with the US Navy's no-decompression dive timing marks engraved, an expanding bracelet, brightly colored hi-legibility dials and an oversized luminous minute hand to name but a few.

The line expanded from there to include a number of dial configurations, all of which are delightful and currently available from DOXA today in the form of reissue models and line extensions — but there is one highly demanded version of DOXA's iconic 1970s divers that hasn't ever been reintroduced.

That is, until the spring of 2022 with the release of the Army Watches of Switzerland Edition!

While the full story of the original DOXA Army has never been fully told, we now have proof that it was in fact provided to medics, drivers, and other personnel supporting the Swiss Military Diving Unit of the 1970s. Declassified after 51 years, the Swiss Minister Of Defense signed government documents in November 2021 acknowledging the existence of this commando unit and proving DOXA's place as a supplier of military-issued watches in the pantheon of diving watch history!

The DOXA Army WoS Edition pays tribute to the original exotic-dialed Army model of the 1970s while also looking towards the future with DOXA's first-ever ceramic cased Sub-series diver. Limited to just 100 pieces, snagging one might have been difficult. Thankfully, later that year DOXA announced a stainless steel, regular-production Army that would reside adjacent to its diver siblings.

This piece, a Reference 785.10.031.10, features a 42.5mm stainless steel cushion case with a sapphire crystal, time-elapsed bezel, an orange ‘Jenny fish’ signed screw-down crown, and a stand-out, a mesmerizing beige exotic dial with vibrant orange oversized minute hand, dwarf hour hand, and arrow-tipped sweeping seconds. Luminous elements on the dial, handset, and bezel feature aged Luminova, balancing the vintage appeal perfectly.

Mounted on DOXA’s signature beads-of-rice stainless steel bracelet with a signed locking clasp, this piece delivers with all of its factory goodies!

Need a funky diver? This DOXA Army has that funk in spades!

DOXA began Research and Development for the Sub 300 in 1964, under a team helmed by Urs Eschle, the brand's head of operations, who consulted professional divers including none other than the father of SCUBA himself, Jacques-Yves Cousteau.

Since wearability was crucial, Eschle designed a large case with wide rounded lugs. For the dial, the team tested many colors (orange, yellow, turquoise, and red) in the waters of Neuchatel Lake. An unprecedented amount of tritium was also used on the hands and hour indices.

The team implemented a unidirectional bezel with an innovative insert: the U.S. Navy No Decompression chart, with the outer depth scale in orange and the minute scale in black, to allow divers to gauge how much air was in left in their tanks. Rounding out the Sub 300's innovative design was a beads-of-rice bracelet that was the first to implement an ratcheting expandable clasp capable of fitting over a diver's wetsuit without having to remove links.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.