I'm sure if we dig deep enough into most top end brands not just watches we'll find a Chinese connection. As much as we don't like to associate ourselves with such companies the fact of the matter is the world depends on them for cheap labour/production. I actually appreciate when companies don't try and hide the fact and are transparent.
This comes off as coping a bit. Most other brands at this price point do have an actual physical factory in Switzerland or maybe across the border in another European country. Hell, outside of the 1545 homage line Squale (from what I've looked into) only splits their production between Switzerland and Italy, and they're way further down on the price food chain compared to Doxa these days. Looking into "Walca East" and the parts of their website that they have deleted or that referencing will get you banned on the "official" forums is quite illuminating. (Also I'm open to being corrected about anything I've said, I'm new to the Doxa drama)
We have to know that every country has companies or even the same company made products of différents quality. I see it all the time at marine field....
@@juniorjohnson5961 to be fair you can maybe lower the doxa prices like 300 bucks but not really more. The finishing , quality control,and the movement do cost, too. Warranty and servicing? They are a major factor and contribute to the price point. A Seestern and its NH35 simply cant reach that. It will be the bargain alternative but never a true rival. Nothing bad about that.. im just saying.
Great review, Doxa are not alone in their vague responses with regards to origin of parts!! It puts me off buying when i hear things like this. I recently got into Damasko as they engineer and manufacture their own parts and even make their own movements 100% German made and proud of it.
The Chinese thing doesn't reduce my appreciation for the history and brand... But does make me a bit more likely to get a homage since it's all Chinese anyway
Thank you so much for this video!. I was so close to pulling the trigger on the brand as I respected the heritage and collaboration. I was a child of the 70’s , watching Jacques-Yves Cousteau. It was enthralling. I hung on every word. I will just keep my memories and forgo the watch…
I second your sentiment. It was the Jacques Cousteau connection that got me interested in Doxa, also, especially, that I got to meet and speak with his son Jean-Michel and he showed me his father's diary.
I don't own any Doxa watched but I do love some of their designs, mainly the sub 300. I also love the history and if you want the real deal when it comes to dive watches, forget submariner, buy a Doxa. I never new that Doxa parts were all outsourced though, it's such a shame especially as the watches aren't exactly affordable 😳
As a long time scuba diver, and instructor for 2 Scuba agencies back in my 20s, Doxa was the dive watch standard that I that I longed for, and couldn't afford. A number of years back, when I could start watch collecting, I started with a Caribbean model Doxa sub 5000 T. That model checks all the boxes for me, and now I have 4 of them in different colors... I also picked up a Doxa sub 300 T graph, just for fun. I've looked through the website a number of times to see if any of the new product line appears interesting. They kind of just look like candy to me, all color and no substance. This video confirms to me that perhaps my collection is complete.
I bought a new aquamarine Sub300t last year. Wasn't aware of the Chinese connection, and it may of put me off, but since I've had it I love it. The build quality of the case is equal to other brands at this price point and the movement is running at +2/3 seconds a day. The only disappointment is the lume.
I don’t own a Doxa, but have considered a few versions of the orange face. Thanks for your research and comments. My view of the brand has changed. Not sure I want to purchase a watch from a company that says they don’t manufacture watches. I look forward to your videos each week. Thanks for your time and high quality productions.
Just starting my small watch collection and got the Doxa Sub 200 WhitePearl today. Absolutely stunning quality at that price. Maybe they skirt the edge of being "Swiss Made" but the fit and finish feel amazing. Still happy with this buy!
Wow Damian, Definitely one out of left field in a pleasant way. 👍 A local Australian guy reviews these Doxa watches every 6 months or so. He too (Peter Kosta) fell in love with Doxa & highly praises them.
Omega bracelets are made in China and likely other watch components also. I'm not sure the way Doxa operates is much different from many other "Swiss" brands.
Unfortunately "Swiss Made" simply means only 60% Swiss, by legal definition. There is something rotten going on here that the Swiss industry doesn't want to get out, and that has to do with cutting costs by using China goods & services in their products. It is an inevitable part of commerce, staying competitive and making profits. Otherwise the legal term would include full 100% Swiss. And is this a bad thing? No, not necessarily. There are great Chinese manufacturers that make incredible parts and products as long as they have the financial incentive to do so. The problem is when we don't have full disclosure. I want to know where the other 40% is coming from. If I pay for the product, I have the right to know.
@@peternicholas3858 Right now, vintage watches is where I get the most enjoyment and scholerly pleasure. No question that the 1972 Movado Astronic with Zenith El Primero movement I am wearing today is 100% Swiss, with true history.
@@peternicholas3858 Cost reduction? The price increase does not show it. The prices of Swiss watches have increased dramatically and there is no justification for this situation. Salons give a 20% discount even before greeting the customers bacause of pumped prices.
Thought about buying a Doxa, but after your video probably not. On top of that "Just one more watch" did a review of Seestern which he reckoned were better and a 10th of the price.
I want a Doxa so very badly simply because I am a MASSIVE Clive Cussler fan……but the more I discover how diluted the modern brand is…..I just can’t pull the trigger! Great video
I know how you feel. I bought one before I knew the chinese connection. But my watch is fine, runs well within COSC , fit finish flawless. Lume is weak but happy with my purchase. Would I buy now that I know...?
until proven otherwise, i assume EVERY large brand is manufactured in china (possibly in owned factories) and assembled in switzerland. if you sell a million watches a year, saving a little per watch saves an incredible amount of money, and the per-watch amount is probably more than a little. but yes, doxa is one of the worst cases of fake brand syndrome: a wealthy person/company buys a defunct brand, slaps it on a contract watch, and charges you 10x for the privilege.
I'm buying a Seestern Doxa homage with loomed date wheel that even Doxa doesn't have for $189 & be happy with my Chinese watch . I've just Subscribed 👍
I picked up my Seestern Sub 300 Automatic two weeks ago. It's a fantastic watch. Currently running at about +6-9 seconds per day. Got pretty lucky there. BOR bracelet is incredibly comfortable. It's love at first sight. And for under 200€.
Steinhart does the same, foreign parts, assembled in Switzerland to get the "Swiss Made" label.... Except they cost 3 to 4 times less. Up to you to decide if you are willing to pay premium just for a name. I would chose a brand like Sinn 10 times over Doxa.
Thank you for diving into the depths of the current doxa operations. Its precisely that kind of information that is important to watch enthusiasts like myself. Not that it takes away from my appreciation for this brand, but it does change the story and history of the brand. This now makes me also want to buy a vintage doxa, just to come full circle :D
I would have loved part of the review to cover maintenance requirements, costs, and repairs. The repair of my Sub 750T daily wearer was almost as much as I paid for the watch. It never kept time accurately and although I loved it am not sure I would ever buy another one.
I've been really seriously considering jumping into Doxa with a 300 Professional, but there have been a few negatives coming out recently, a few of which unfavorably compare it to its Seestern homage! I'm puzzled as to what to do. I'd love a 300 as my first Swiss piece but how Swiss is it? Can of worms, opened. Thank you for this enlightening video.
Just buy the Seestern version. It is only $160, and it is amazing as far as quality. Same exact dimensions as the Doxa 300T, but 200m water resistance instead of 1200m, female end links instead of the Doxa male links. The clasp kept giving me a hard time with the Doxa, and the bezel action was not as good ad the Seestern. I sold the Doxa to get what I could out of it. Doxa is nice, but I can’t justify over $2000 for a watch that is rumored to be made in China, and has many flaws. I also have the Seestern 600t, and spot on to the Doxa. They must have come out the same warehouse
@Ericdagreat I must say I totally agree with you. My Seestern 300T (Orange Color face) version is doing great and keeps very good time. You are also spot on about the wrist band and I love it. The Seiko NH35A is currently one of the world's most popular automatic movements and one heck of a workhorse. I wear mine everyday at work in the dry dock or underwater. I will be purchasing another only in a different color, if only to have a change of pace.
Great review. I have been looking at Doxa T600 for my first 'expensive' watch, they look fantastic. But this review has made me reconsider. Not because of the look or specs, but because of the possibility it is manufactured in China.
An excellent video, thank you. I have the same “love-hate” relationship with Doxa. My major gripe is that they grievously overpriced… but still unresistable for some reason. Lately, I have tended to focus more on Squale to fulfill my 60s diver revival urge.
"Unspecified" movement? I know ETA movements are hit or miss and Sellita movements are an interchangeable option - but you should say which one you get up front.
I had a newer sub300t with the sw200 movement in it. The sw200 chews through reversing wheels. I prefer the new homages from seestern or tactical frog.
I’m still considering adding a Doxa to my collection, and haven’t been put off by your video, but I’ll just keep it to one, rather than a few. This is due to watching your video. It’s taken some of the glamour away for me. Sounds daft, but I think you get it too. Great insights, cheers Damian.
The association with China saddens me but is consistant with my experience. I purchased an orange 200 model a year ago. I had it for 7 months and noted harsh movement when resetting the date. Took it back to Watches of Switzerland for repair and got it back about 4 and 1/2 months later. The balance wheel and palate fork were replaced. A few days after receiving it, I noted that there was a problem with closing and locking the clasp and the watch stopped working. It's presently back at Watches of Switzerland. I am not happy and will certainly never buy another Doxa. I have many other watches including Rolex and Jaeger and have never had an issue.
Best Doxa presentation video I have ever seen. Well done Damian. The 13 unit solid gold is utterly stunning. Forget the Rolex Submariner flex on IG, this Doxa is the Daddy.
What an excellent and informative review! This is the first video of yours that I’ve watched and I’m now subscribed to your channel. You provided a lot of information for me to unpack and consider. I have always been a huge fan of the Doxa Sub 300T with the orange dial. I think I will still purchase it but thanks to your review, I can do so while being fully aware. Very well done!🥃
18:50, Thank you very much for putting extra effort to investigate the origin of the current manufacturing of Doxa watches. The replay of the Doxa spokesperson just confirms my suspicion that most of the relaunched legendary and iconic watch brands (most likely all of them) are bought by greedy and phoney business people. They don't really care about the historic value of an original company, they just want to exploit history and value for profit and nothing else. In the same process, they are butchering legendary and iconic names. Just because that "Swiss-made" minimum requirement allows them to manipulate and falsely advertise, it doesn't mean it is morally right to do that. Most of us regular working people would pay a big penalty for stealing and manipulating. I did consider buying Doxa but personally, I don't consider any product manufactured in Chinese sweatshops luxury or iconic product.
@@IDKline I have never purchased a "Swiss Made" watch in my life so far. If that special day comes when I finally decide to justify to myself spending an extreme amount of money on one of my grail watches like Omega Seamaster 300 Heritage, I want to stop by the Omega factory and check for myself if they are actually manufacturing watches or subcontracting to Chinese slave shops run by sadistic members of Chinese communist party. I actually have family living in Switzerland. Just seeing people in Swiss "factories" assembling and regulating movements, won't do it (like I see on most TH-cam videos) for me or seeing warehouses full of boxes won't do it either. I don't care about Swiss requirements and rules and I want to see manufacturing myself. I'm not going to spend over 10000$ Canadian or more for a phoney fairy tale. I'm not going to lose any sleep over that and I will enjoy my 1200$ Seiko in the meantime. If it has to be Chinese, 25$ Casio from Walmart will do the job.
Excellent enjoyed that, just bought a 600T. I wonder if that's why Seastern seem to have very similar models on the internet? Disappointing if it's proven.
Thanks for the post. Excellent review. I have just purchased the SUB T 200 Graph Chronograph Limited Edition 063 / 300. I wear the SUB as I like the history of the company and a DOXA is rare in the ‘wild’; however for the price, there is much better out there… if you collect dive watches, you need a DOXA in the collection, but just one. I find authenticity lacking in all the luxury watch brands discourse… DOXA is no different.
very informative video sir, thanx. I am willing to pull the trigger for a 300t and when i started some research it came out about the chinese connection. A bit disappointing tbh, but from the other side i am afraid that if we start digging around i am pretty sure that in Doxa they are not the only ones that produce in China and assemble in Switzerland.
I am a first time viewer here. Just wanted to appreciate the very high audio / video quality, and an absolute accurate pronunciation of JLC! How did you pronounce it so well, are you a Swiss? Also, the Doxa is damn fine watch! With the most beautiful watch strap!
Just bought my first one, a 70s Searambler, after wanting one for a long time. Chances are good that it won’t stay alone. Really like the 200 T Graph and the 600T in aquamarine looks cool too.
Sir you are correct , i have a 1500T professional ( since 2015 ) i pay it about 2400 euro. since beginning was delay , loosing 40 seconds a day. In warranty i send back , they say they have fixed. Nooooooooooooooooooooooo, they did not , all remain the same .
Dude, I so enjoyed your jocular spin on your Doxa collection. I do not care for Doxa so will not be tempted to buy another or even a first. May the mirth be with you, my friend!
very good video as I am a big fan of Doxa myself. I am on the other hand is fully aware that the current owners are Brand owners rather than watch makers. I personally do not see a big problem with that as long as they protect and value the brand as they would know better on protecting the value of the brand than others.. 🙂
Something about a Doxa though that is just "so cool"...perhaps it is the fun of color with the tool watch.....but I agree with the final conclusions and this was really well done overall. Thank you.
I have recently got two sub600Ts and in my humble opinion is that doxa is very very under appreciated really. For example, their sub300T is a 1200M diver watch, with escapement valve, a nice slim and robust turtle style case and oh did i mention 1200M water resistant!! All that for just under 2k. With these specs, you get double the water resist of an omega planet ocean, 4 times of a submariner for a fraction of a fraction of the prices of the aforementioned brands. And oh, one other thing, you get 6 dials iterations and colours. The omega seamaster planet ocean 600M goes for above 5k, a doxa 600T in the other hand goes for under 2k. For me you get alot from the doxa for your money but from the omega you simply get the pleasure of wearing an “omega”. Go deeper and you’ll find even cooler models like the ones made from carbon. CARBON!!! And they look fantastic😍😍 and go even further and there you go, you find a 1500 metres watch. I mean you go that deep and you are more at risk from the water killing you before it kills that watch. All that for under 3k if I’m not wrong. Doxa is massively underrated.
I went to a dealer to look at Ball watches I tried on a doxa 200 c graph I fell in love with it, I just had to buy it. I also have the doxa 300t. both great watches.
I've just bought a Sub 200 C Graph myself (Sharkhunter), to go with my Sub 300T (Professional) and Sub 200 (Aquamarine), all great watches in my opinion, although the Sub 300T seems to have the edge as far as quality goes.
I just ordered to seesterns 600t the aqua one and the orange one just got them on sale for $120 a piece. how could you possibly beat that. They look identical to the doxa. Much better way to go in my opinion of course. Somebody might like to have the brand name. Ray
I think that Doxa was better when Rick was with the company. You could see and feel a difference in quality with the watches compared to how they are now. I have owned 8 Doxa watches including vintage ones. I think that they are still ok watches but not worth the retail prices at all. I care about brand transparency. If a company is honest and upfront about how and where the watches are made. It’s when brands like Doxa try to hide the truth, it makes it hard for me to buy the products. I sold all of my Doxa’s and it’s a shame because I love the way they look but I’m very put off by the brand image now.
Just to add… if you want a Doxa just get an older one from 2016 or older. The vintage ones are by far the best but you really have to be careful with vintage. Just save yourself the headache and get a Sinn.
I have a Sub 200 and it’s a great watch - I use it as a everyday watch and it it’s really steady. I switched out the beads of rice for a runner Doxa strap.
Good review. I have a Doxa 300 and a Jenny Caribbean 300. Frankly, all I am concerned with is the quality and accuracy of the piece. Both brands excel in these areas.
If more people were bit more concerned about china and not the price of a cheap watch that comes from a human rights violating human sweat shop this would not happen in the watch industry, or any other industry for that matter, but hey you paid a few bucks less for your watch-good for you.
Thank you for your in-depth explanations of the various elements of the Doxa line. You have convinced me to NOT add a Doxa to my watch collection for the same reason you shared your disappointment. What would you recommend as a good watch to deliver what we thought Doxa was going to deliver?
The fact that the parts for this watch are made in China and assembled in Switzerland doesn't surprise me. I always wondered how these watches could be sold for such a relatively low price and now I know.
Most watch companies aren't 'Manufacturers' they are assemblers, if that. They don't have their own factory but then again most brands don't have their own factory either. Just buy a watch you like the look of, does what you need it to do and isn't overpriced.
Just bought a 600T a few days ago. Honestly doesn’t really bother me. I wanted a cheap beater watch because most of my collection is over 6k. I wanted something for the beach the pool the hottest summer days. And the 600T is great for that. At 1,400 USD and built like a tank (at least it feels like it) I can take it anywhere and not worry. I believe it has a SW200 movement because to be Swiss made it MUST have a Swiss movement. It keeps fine time about plus 5-8 second a day. Which is fine because watches are useless anyway for real time keeping nowadays. I probably won’t buy another one because I only wanted the one I got. But I’m sure it will serve me well.
Its very very very unfortunate that you missed the story of Doxa's true revival by an entrepreneur called Rick Marei, who persuaded the Jenny family to give him a 20 year license and made it what it is today, by a clever strategy of selling online (which was revolutionary in the 90s) with limited productions a bit like a micro-brand. Simply because its his passion to revive cool watches from the 70s (he did the same for Aquastar, and Isofrane and Tropic rubber straps). And when the 20 years expired the Jenny family greedily and ungratefully took back their brand and told him to get lost, and erased his name from the Doxa history. Its current CEO, "Jan Edöcs", did nothing new for the brand, believe me, he is probably the guy behind the "made in China". Rick is the real hero of this brand.
The watches Rick produced (from 2001 to 2019) were also made in china, at least as much as the current ones are. Case blanks are imported then finished by a company called Walca in Switzerland, then along with the eta movement it is all assembled there. Certainly not the only brand to do this, Panerai springs to mind. If you want a “real” Doxa, go vintage I guess!
@@cmdrflint9115 Thats interesting. I don't see the problem with the cases made in China actually. If the movement and assembly are Swiss... I see Walco is a private label manufacturer, so there is no Doxa factory I guess?
@@cmdrflint9115 What I don't like is how the current management completely wiped off Marei from the history of the brand altough he kind of believed in the model and saw the potential the owners did not see, and brought it back to life, what do you think?
@@IrishOister I've been collecting since 2007, and while I can't say from my own experiences as a consumer, I have spent much time over the years in the forums and reading from dedicated Doxa collectors from that era. That said, I have heard Marei come up quite a bit, and usually not in a positive light to say the least. He was a very controversial figure in his active years, with many accusations flying around, I'm sure the forum discussions are still viewable on watchuseek. It just doesn't surprise me to hear that there would be bad blood between Marei and the Jenny family after all of the fist shaking in his direction. Scratch that, I can attest to a bit of dickery on his side of business - back when Aquadive released the Poseidon edition of the GMT a few years ago, they were taking money down on preorders, of which I put out for. It was advertised with a helium release valve in the design, pretty typical of their divers in that style. A bit of time goes by and the final product is proudly displayed, only without an HRV. I questioned this and was hushed off not only by fans, but also by the rep who told me it was an unecessary feature and it wasn't a big deal. Unecessary, true, but also a somewhat complicated bit that certainly adds to the cost and effort of case production. This bothered me because clearly I was receiving less watch than than I had been lead to believe, Aquadive was excluding this feature for the first time from what I believe was their first consumer backed special edition watch that was supposed to be a great deal when price compared to the non special edition GMT, well that's where the savings went. Been a while since I thought about this, but I do recall this kind of dickery being commonplace associated with his name, they say he's a businessman in a true sense. Funny how the glowing fans can try to bat you down for pointing these things out, as though I'm less for it, I don't care if HRV's aren't necessary, neither is 1,000 feet of water resistance or a GMT complication on a dive watch, everything adds to the cost of production and that is no small omission, if advertised with the lure of a feature and funds are taken on that basis then one must deliver what was promised!
I agree they are less than transparent on their parts sourcing component of the business , controversially going on for years , it doest affect my personal view on the brand I had a 1200T Professional that I finally traded away, not for me. It has been said that DOXA is the most successful Chinese watch made in Switzerland .....
Doxa it's sad to say have fallen from the tradition and pureness of their Swiss Origin, for the sole purpose of maximizing profits. I'm not concerned with the China sourcing because as we all know there are some very capable and fine High Quality watch manufactures in China. Doxa could be honest about there sourcing choices but instead they choose to walk the fine line of "Swiss Made" just to increase profits. The deception is sad because they still manufacture a very high quality timepiece or does China produce a Doxa High Quality timepiece.
Interesting video and I was not aware of the Chinese manufacturing issue, not that it particularly troubles me, as quite a lot is made in China. Chinese companies have owned Swiss movements manufacturers at various times which is why so many parts for watches are made in China. Heritage sells well these days, so a 60s/70s range of dive watches will appeal to many people, though there are much more attractive watches available in my view, Seiko MM300s for example.
If I had enough disposable cash, I would have bought at least one Doxa. However, I’ve gone cheap & picked up a Seestern. Almost the same case with a reliable Seiko motor for a tenth of the price. I’ll be honest also, I’m ready to pull the trigger on the Bulova Devil Diver. The movement doesn’t hack, but it seems that everything else about the watch is spot on.
I have one, you will love it. BTW you can "Back Hack" by pulling out the crown to the first position and holding it while giving it a slight turn, the second hand will stop and you can now hack. Mine runs well with in COSC and the movement is made in Japan...NOT china.
However you wanna see it: the term SWISS MADE and whats really behind it applies to almost every watch brand. Many parts are manufactured in china, standard swiss movements are slapped inside , quality control in switzerland. There you go. You should basically stop buying "SWISS MADE" watches altogether as brands arent the same they used to be :P But once you see passed that and compare the swiss made watches to actual chinese ones you can once again appreciated that quality standart and the term : SWISS MADE. Just enjoy it! You are actually able to buy a brand new modern DOXA just like the ones back then. You didnt need to buy vintage with faulty gaskets and what not. How awesome is that? For the very same reasons microbrands , which do hommages are high in demand. No herritage, no Brand recognition, just a damn good product with a great design and lots of specs for the buck. I am about to add a doxa to my collection soonish and so im thinking: Even if DOXA is a hollow shell of the company it once was, they are the only ones who offer me a high end doxa
After seeing this I feel a lot less bad about getting an NH35-powered copy, especially since I had never seen a Sub 6 anyway, if the only continuity is the design language.
I love Doxa. I haven’t bought one yet because they don’t have authorized dealers in my country and I hesitate to buy online and find out it’s too big for my wrist.
Buy enough mechanical watches, Japanese, Swiss or Chinese and you will experience problems with a number of them, you will also pick up some great pieces. I like Doxa, don't own one yet. I think a Sinn may be next, nice review.
My Sub800TI is my favorite watch in my collection. I will never get rid of it. It’s the watch people always seem to ask about. Not the Rolex, not the Omega, not the Tudor. Love it.
Congrats on your Doxa collection, and on providing a balanced view of the ownership of the brand for those that might not know. I would be interested in your views on the relationship between Doxa and Synchron, but not sure the youtube algorithm would give it much love. Great video as always.
A very good question. While the quality may still be there, I won't pay that much for a Chinese watch. So I'll be looking elsewhere. Thanks for the information.
This makes me want a Doxa more than I did before I clicked on this vid. I appreciate the honest of the brand, and appreciate the mystery as well. But, with all the choices, I'm not sure which one I like the most.
I’m looking to purchase a Doxa in the near future (Either the orange or yellow). It’s disappointing to hear they do not consider themselves a watch manufacturer, but it doesn’t deter me from the brand. From reading reviews, they seem to be built well and this should be the main driving factor to purchase one.
There's DOXA 'homage..' brands like Seestern, available legally, that produce excellent quality watches at less than 10% cost of 'swiss' brand, which makes me question the pricing not only of DOXA but also Rolex (just look at Steinhart..) and probably others too
ive read many forums about doxa being "swiss-ese" and from what i found is they make there cases and movements are switzerland made but the bracelet and glass is made in hong kong not sure about the dial but doxa has said all there modals cases are machined in switzerland that being said many swiss watch brands take advantage of the 60 percent law even tudor makes there bracelet's in china same said with omega the only fully made swiss watches are for watches above 10k like the likes of rolex and patek and so on i think a lot of people dont know most of these "swiss made watches" that are under 10k have parts made from overseas
Thanks for another interesting and informative video Damian...... I've always liked Doxa but just never quite enough to buy one but right the way through this video I was thinking I really should get one untill the twist in the story !! Lol
If a brand doesn't explicitly state where the parts are made it's very safe to assume they come from China. Looking at a sub300, the movement alone is probably double the manufacturing price of all the other parts combined.
I'm sure if we dig deep enough into most top end brands not just watches we'll find a Chinese connection. As much as we don't like to associate ourselves with such companies the fact of the matter is the world depends on them for cheap labour/production. I actually appreciate when companies don't try and hide the fact and are transparent.
This comes off as coping a bit. Most other brands at this price point do have an actual physical factory in Switzerland or maybe across the border in another European country. Hell, outside of the 1545 homage line Squale (from what I've looked into) only splits their production between Switzerland and Italy, and they're way further down on the price food chain compared to Doxa these days. Looking into "Walca East" and the parts of their website that they have deleted or that referencing will get you banned on the "official" forums is quite illuminating. (Also I'm open to being corrected about anything I've said, I'm new to the Doxa drama)
We have to know that every country has companies or even the same company made products of différents quality. I see it all the time at marine field....
Seestern make a Doxa homage with a loomed date wheel for $189 dollars. I like the look of Doxa but overpriced in my opinion.
@@juniorjohnson5961 to be fair you can maybe lower the doxa prices like 300 bucks but not really more. The finishing , quality control,and the movement do cost, too. Warranty and servicing? They are a major factor and contribute to the price point. A Seestern and its NH35 simply cant reach that. It will be the bargain alternative but never a true rival. Nothing bad about that.. im just saying.
@@juniorjohnson5961buy seestern or buy more
Great review, Doxa are not alone in their vague responses with regards to origin of parts!! It puts me off buying when i hear things like this. I recently got into Damasko as they engineer and manufacture their own parts and even make their own movements 100% German made and proud of it.
Well done, I don't support china or the CCP in any way.
@@camarocarl7130 99% of your household items are made in China. Get over it.
The Chinese thing doesn't reduce my appreciation for the history and brand... But does make me a bit more likely to get a homage since it's all Chinese anyway
Thank you so much for this video!. I was so close to pulling the trigger on the brand as I respected the heritage and collaboration. I was a child of the 70’s , watching Jacques-Yves Cousteau. It was enthralling. I hung on every word.
I will just keep my memories and forgo the watch…
Bear in mind you can still get the 200 T.graph with the proper movement - that’s still a great watch
@@TheWatchGuysTV Oh good. That may be the saving grace! Thank you so much!
I second your sentiment. It was the Jacques Cousteau connection that got me interested in Doxa, also, especially, that I got to meet and speak with his son Jean-Michel and he showed me his father's diary.
I don't own any Doxa watched but I do love some of their designs, mainly the sub 300. I also love the history and if you want the real deal when it comes to dive watches, forget submariner, buy a Doxa. I never new that Doxa parts were all outsourced though, it's such a shame especially as the watches aren't exactly affordable 😳
As a long time scuba diver, and instructor for 2 Scuba agencies back in my 20s, Doxa was the dive watch standard that I that I longed for, and couldn't afford. A number of years back, when I could start watch collecting, I started with a Caribbean model Doxa sub 5000 T. That model checks all the boxes for me, and now I have 4 of them in different colors... I also picked up a Doxa sub 300 T graph, just for fun.
I've looked through the website a number of times to see if any of the new product line appears interesting.
They kind of just look like candy to me, all color and no substance. This video confirms to me that perhaps my collection is complete.
I bought a new aquamarine Sub300t last year. Wasn't aware of the Chinese connection, and it may of put me off, but since I've had it I love it. The build quality of the case is equal to other brands at this price point and the movement is running at +2/3 seconds a day. The only disappointment is the lume.
I don’t own a Doxa, but have considered a few versions of the orange face. Thanks for your research and comments. My view of the brand has changed. Not sure I want to purchase a watch from a company that says they don’t manufacture watches.
I look forward to your videos each week. Thanks for your time and high quality productions.
Just starting my small watch collection and got the Doxa Sub 200 WhitePearl today. Absolutely stunning quality at that price. Maybe they skirt the edge of being "Swiss Made" but the fit and finish feel amazing. Still happy with this buy!
Wow Damian,
Definitely one out of left field in a pleasant way. 👍
A local Australian guy reviews these Doxa watches every 6 months or so.
He too (Peter Kosta) fell in love with Doxa & highly praises them.
Omega bracelets are made in China and likely other watch components also. I'm not sure the way Doxa operates is much different from many other "Swiss" brands.
Unfortunately "Swiss Made" simply means only 60% Swiss, by legal definition. There is something rotten going on here that the Swiss industry doesn't want to get out, and that has to do with cutting costs by using China goods & services in their products. It is an inevitable part of commerce, staying competitive and making profits. Otherwise the legal term would include full 100% Swiss. And is this a bad thing? No, not necessarily. There are great Chinese manufacturers that make incredible parts and products as long as they have the financial incentive to do so. The problem is when we don't have full disclosure. I want to know where the other 40% is coming from. If I pay for the product, I have the right to know.
@@peternicholas3858 Right now, vintage watches is where I get the most enjoyment and scholerly pleasure. No question that the 1972 Movado Astronic with Zenith El Primero movement I am wearing today is 100% Swiss, with true history.
When the parent company Walca claimed that they are not a watch manufacturer is a different story.
@@peternicholas3858 Cost reduction? The price increase does not show it. The prices of Swiss watches have increased dramatically and there is no justification for this situation. Salons give a 20% discount even before greeting the customers bacause of pumped prices.
Thought about buying a Doxa, but after your video probably not. On top of that "Just one more watch" did a review of Seestern which he reckoned were better and a 10th of the price.
I want a Doxa so very badly simply because I am a MASSIVE Clive Cussler fan……but the more I discover how diluted the modern brand is…..I just can’t pull the trigger! Great video
I know how you feel. I bought one before I knew the chinese connection. But my watch is fine, runs well within COSC , fit finish flawless. Lume is weak but happy with my purchase. Would I buy now that I know...?
Same here
Would you be able to buy an older, pre-Chinese Doxa on the used market? --Old Guy
until proven otherwise, i assume EVERY large brand is manufactured in china (possibly in owned factories) and assembled in switzerland. if you sell a million watches a year, saving a little per watch saves an incredible amount of money, and the per-watch amount is probably more than a little.
but yes, doxa is one of the worst cases of fake brand syndrome: a wealthy person/company buys a defunct brand, slaps it on a contract watch, and charges you 10x for the privilege.
Yea I think you're right, even the most popular brands, cough 'Rolex'. I think this was the reason they introduced the 60% Swiss made rule.
Rolex would never say "they don't manufacture watches" though 😑
I'm buying a Seestern Doxa homage with loomed date wheel that even Doxa doesn't have for $189 & be happy with my Chinese watch . I've just Subscribed 👍
Yema do the same thing . I wouldn't buy either brand.
Same here…awaiting shipping from China
I picked up my Seestern Sub 300 Automatic two weeks ago.
It's a fantastic watch. Currently running at about +6-9 seconds per day. Got pretty lucky there. BOR bracelet is incredibly comfortable. It's love at first sight. And for under 200€.
Steinhart does the same, foreign parts, assembled in Switzerland to get the "Swiss Made" label.... Except they cost 3 to 4 times less. Up to you to decide if you are willing to pay premium just for a name.
I would chose a brand like Sinn 10 times over Doxa.
Thank you for diving into the depths of the current doxa operations. Its precisely that kind of information that is important to watch enthusiasts like myself. Not that it takes away from my appreciation for this brand, but it does change the story and history of the brand. This now makes me also want to buy a vintage doxa, just to come full circle :D
I would have loved part of the review to cover maintenance requirements, costs, and repairs. The repair of my Sub 750T daily wearer was almost as much as I paid for the watch. It never kept time accurately and although I loved it am not sure I would ever buy another one.
I've been really seriously considering jumping into Doxa with a 300 Professional, but there have been a few negatives coming out recently, a few of which unfavorably compare it to its Seestern homage! I'm puzzled as to what to do. I'd love a 300 as my first Swiss piece but how Swiss is it? Can of worms, opened. Thank you for this enlightening video.
Get a 300T instead. To be honest the extra cost for COSC is a waste of money IMO. It's an automatic. If you want real accuracy get a $20 Casio.
Just buy the Seestern version. It is only $160, and it is amazing as far as quality. Same exact dimensions as the Doxa 300T, but 200m water resistance instead of 1200m, female end links instead of the Doxa male links. The clasp kept giving me a hard time with the Doxa, and the bezel action was not as good ad the Seestern. I sold the Doxa to get what I could out of it. Doxa is nice, but I can’t justify over $2000 for a watch that is rumored to be made in China, and has many flaws. I also have the Seestern 600t, and spot on to the Doxa. They must have come out the same warehouse
@Ericdagreat I must say I totally agree with you. My Seestern 300T (Orange Color face) version is doing great and keeps very good time. You are also spot on about the wrist band and I love it. The Seiko NH35A is currently one of the world's most popular automatic movements and one heck of a workhorse. I wear mine everyday at work in the dry dock or underwater. I will be purchasing another only in a different color, if only to have a change of pace.
It's pointless saying what the cheaper watch does. End of the day you are wearing a cheap watch. It's nothing like the doxa genuine.
@@memememe2674 genuine ?? 😂😂😂
Great review. I have been looking at Doxa T600 for my first 'expensive' watch, they look fantastic. But this review has made me reconsider. Not because of the look or specs, but because of the possibility it is manufactured in China.
Agree the disingenuous marketing would keep me from buying their watches , Yema do the same it's shameful profits must be huge .
An excellent video, thank you. I have the same “love-hate” relationship with Doxa. My major gripe is that they grievously overpriced… but still unresistable for some reason. Lately, I have tended to focus more on Squale to fulfill my 60s diver revival urge.
Very interesting - definitely worried about the manufacturer of the “undisclosed movement”.
It’s a Sellita SWISS movement! Just read the specs!!
Sellita is a really good movement.
No issue with Sellita for me
Thanks for the”eye opening” information and for taking a doxa off of my list !
Any time!
This video makes me wonder if the case and bezel of my Seestern Sub 300 might be made by the original supplier for Doxa?
"Unspecified" movement? I know ETA movements are hit or miss and Sellita movements are an interchangeable option - but you should say which one you get up front.
I had a newer sub300t with the sw200 movement in it. The sw200 chews through reversing wheels. I prefer the new homages from seestern or tactical frog.
I just bought a Pacific 600t brand new and mate… wherever this was manufactured it’s just incredible 🙏😂
I’m still considering adding a Doxa to my collection, and haven’t been put off by your video, but I’ll just keep it to one, rather than a few. This is due to watching your video. It’s taken some of the glamour away for me. Sounds daft, but I think you get it too. Great insights, cheers Damian.
well you've been put off buying more than one or collecting them , especially at those prices
The association with China saddens me but is consistant with my experience. I purchased an orange 200 model a year ago. I had it for 7 months and noted harsh movement when resetting the date. Took it back to Watches of Switzerland for repair and got it back about 4 and 1/2 months later. The balance wheel and palate fork were replaced. A few days after receiving it, I noted that there was a problem with closing and locking the clasp and the watch stopped working. It's presently back at Watches of Switzerland. I am not happy and will certainly never buy another Doxa. I have many other watches including Rolex and Jaeger and have never had an issue.
Best Doxa presentation video I have ever seen. Well done Damian.
The 13 unit solid gold is utterly stunning. Forget the Rolex Submariner flex on IG, this Doxa is the Daddy.
Wow, thank you!
I tried one 😂😂😂 When I bought my time and tide 600t
Good episode, I enjoyed that! Rather nice watches and great vivid colours. Thanks Damien, keep em coming.
What an excellent and informative review! This is the first video of yours that I’ve watched and I’m now subscribed to your channel. You provided a lot of information for me to unpack and consider. I have always been a huge fan of the Doxa Sub 300T with the orange dial. I think I will still purchase it but thanks to your review, I can do so while being fully aware. Very well done!🥃
Welcome aboard!
After buying doxa I am really impressed with quality I own an aqua sub 200
18:50, Thank you very much for putting extra effort to investigate the origin of the current manufacturing of Doxa watches.
The replay of the Doxa spokesperson just confirms my suspicion that most of the relaunched legendary and iconic watch brands (most likely all of them) are bought by greedy and phoney business people. They don't really care about the historic value of an original company, they just want to exploit history and value for profit and nothing else. In the same process, they are butchering legendary and iconic names.
Just because that "Swiss-made" minimum requirement allows them to manipulate and falsely advertise, it doesn't mean it is morally right to do that. Most of us regular working people would pay a big penalty for stealing and manipulating.
I did consider buying Doxa but personally, I don't consider any product manufactured in Chinese sweatshops luxury or iconic product.
@@IDKline I have never purchased a "Swiss Made" watch in my life so far. If that special day comes when I finally decide to justify to myself spending an extreme amount of money on one of my grail watches like Omega Seamaster 300 Heritage, I want to stop by the Omega factory and check for myself if they are actually manufacturing watches or subcontracting to Chinese slave shops run by sadistic members of Chinese communist party. I actually have family living in Switzerland. Just seeing people in Swiss "factories" assembling and regulating movements, won't do it (like I see on most TH-cam videos) for me or seeing warehouses full of boxes won't do it either. I don't care about Swiss requirements and rules and I want to see manufacturing myself. I'm not going to spend over 10000$ Canadian or more for a phoney fairy tale. I'm not going to lose any sleep over that and I will enjoy my 1200$ Seiko in the meantime. If it has to be Chinese, 25$ Casio from Walmart will do the job.
Excellent enjoyed that, just bought a 600T. I wonder if that's why Seastern seem to have very similar models on the internet? Disappointing if it's proven.
Thanks for the post. Excellent review. I have just purchased the SUB T 200 Graph Chronograph Limited Edition 063 / 300. I wear the SUB as I like the history of the company and a DOXA is rare in the ‘wild’; however for the price, there is much better out there… if you collect dive watches, you need a DOXA in the collection, but just one. I find authenticity lacking in all the luxury watch brands discourse… DOXA is no different.
Interesting Rick Marei wasn't mentioned going into Doxa's history. It explains partly the situation of the swiss made issue :-)
very informative video sir, thanx. I am willing to pull the trigger for a 300t and when i started some research it came out about the chinese connection. A bit disappointing tbh, but from the other side i am afraid that if we start digging around i am pretty sure that in Doxa they are not the only ones that produce in China and assemble in Switzerland.
If the watch buying public was given a choice, I would never buy chinese anything.
Shark hunter goes hard. I wish they’d do black dial with the aquamarine highlights
I am a first time viewer here. Just wanted to appreciate the very high audio / video quality, and an absolute accurate pronunciation of JLC! How did you pronounce it so well, are you a Swiss?
Also, the Doxa is damn fine watch! With the most beautiful watch strap!
Thank you
Just bought my first one, a 70s Searambler, after wanting one for a long time. Chances are good that it won’t stay alone. Really like the 200 T Graph and the 600T in aquamarine looks cool too.
You may be right
Sir you are correct , i have a 1500T professional ( since 2015 ) i pay it about 2400 euro. since beginning was delay , loosing 40 seconds a day. In warranty i send back , they say they have fixed. Nooooooooooooooooooooooo, they did not , all remain the same .
Great video. I appreciate all the info provided. Do you think that some of Doxa watches are COSC makes a difference?
Great vid Damian. I have the Orange, Yellow and Blue Sub 200 all on the Rubber straps. Love them!
Love many of your videos but this one with your honesty has prompted me to leave a comment. Pls continue to share your struggles (when required).
Dude, I so enjoyed your jocular spin on your Doxa collection. I do not care for Doxa so will not be tempted to buy another or even a first. May the mirth be with you, my friend!
Much appreciated
very good video as I am a big fan of Doxa myself. I am on the other hand is fully aware that the current owners are Brand owners rather than watch makers. I personally do not see a big problem with that as long as they protect and value the brand as they would know better on protecting the value of the brand than others.. 🙂
Something about a Doxa though that is just "so cool"...perhaps it is the fun of color with the tool watch.....but I agree with the final conclusions and this was really well done overall. Thank you.
Thanks, Jeffrey
I have recently got two sub600Ts and in my humble opinion is that doxa is very very under appreciated really. For example, their sub300T is a 1200M diver watch, with escapement valve, a nice slim and robust turtle style case and oh did i mention 1200M water resistant!! All that for just under 2k.
With these specs, you get double the water resist of an omega planet ocean, 4 times of a submariner for a fraction of a fraction of the prices of the aforementioned brands. And oh, one other thing, you get 6 dials iterations and colours.
The omega seamaster planet ocean 600M goes for above 5k, a doxa 600T in the other hand goes for under 2k. For me you get alot from the doxa for your money but from the omega you simply get the pleasure of wearing an “omega”.
Go deeper and you’ll find even cooler models like the ones made from carbon. CARBON!!! And they look fantastic😍😍 and go even further and there you go, you find a 1500 metres watch. I mean you go that deep and you are more at risk from the water killing you before it kills that watch. All that for under 3k if I’m not wrong.
Doxa is massively underrated.
I went to a dealer to look at Ball watches I tried on a doxa 200 c graph I fell in love with it, I just had to buy it. I also have the doxa 300t. both great watches.
I've just bought a Sub 200 C Graph myself (Sharkhunter), to go with my Sub 300T (Professional) and Sub 200 (Aquamarine), all great watches in my opinion, although the Sub 300T seems to have the edge as far as quality goes.
So glad for this review. Thinking now the Seestern v3 Chinese homage is the better option for 10% of the price.
I just ordered to seesterns 600t the aqua one and the orange one just got them on sale for $120 a piece. how could you possibly beat that. They look identical to the doxa. Much better way to go in my opinion of course. Somebody might like to have the brand name. Ray
I love my Doxa, there's nothing else like it looks wise, the orange dial stands out and it feels solid.
You learn something new everyday. Thanks for this wonderful information!
👍🏻👍🏻
I think that Doxa was better when Rick was with the company. You could see and feel a difference in quality with the watches compared to how they are now. I have owned 8 Doxa watches including vintage ones. I think that they are still ok watches but not worth the retail prices at all. I care about brand transparency. If a company is honest and upfront about how and where the watches are made. It’s when brands like Doxa try to hide the truth, it makes it hard for me to buy the products. I sold all of my Doxa’s and it’s a shame because I love the way they look but I’m very put off by the brand image now.
Just to add… if you want a Doxa just get an older one from 2016 or older. The vintage ones are by far the best but you really have to be careful with vintage. Just save yourself the headache and get a Sinn.
I have a Sub 200 and it’s a great watch - I use it as a everyday watch and it it’s really steady. I switched out the beads of rice for a runner Doxa strap.
I bought a Seestern and love the Doxa look and value for money.
Good review. I have a Doxa 300 and a Jenny Caribbean 300. Frankly, all I am concerned with is the quality and accuracy of the piece. Both brands excel in these areas.
If more people were bit more concerned about china and not the price of a cheap watch that comes from a human rights violating human sweat shop this would not happen in the watch industry, or any other industry for that matter, but hey you paid a few bucks less for your watch-good for you.
@@camarocarl7130, right on!
Thank you for your in-depth explanations of the various elements of the Doxa line. You have convinced me to NOT add a Doxa to my watch collection for the same reason you shared your disappointment. What would you recommend as a good watch to deliver what we thought Doxa was going to deliver?
I think the Searambler is a metallic silver dial. While the white pearl is white and full lume. So that would be 7 color variations.
Own a 200. Was seriously considering a 300...until now. Thanks for the info. Cheers.
After the Oceangate fiasco I'm pretty sure that "carbon fiber" and "diving" will no longer be a palatable combination.
The fact that the parts for this watch are made in China and assembled in Switzerland doesn't surprise me. I always wondered how these watches could be sold for such a relatively low price and now I know.
Most watch companies aren't 'Manufacturers' they are assemblers, if that.
They don't have their own factory but then again most brands don't have their own factory either.
Just buy a watch you like the look of, does what you need it to do and isn't overpriced.
Thank you for the informative review. You have unboxed a conundrum. I appreciate your honesty.
You’re welcome, Carl
The sun 200 uses a Sellita movement. I would imagine that the other models also use Swiss movements.
Just bought a 600T a few days ago. Honestly doesn’t really bother me. I wanted a cheap beater watch because most of my collection is over 6k. I wanted something for the beach the pool the hottest summer days. And the 600T is great for that. At 1,400 USD and built like a tank (at least it feels like it) I can take it anywhere and not worry. I believe it has a SW200 movement because to be Swiss made it MUST have a Swiss movement. It keeps fine time about plus 5-8 second a day. Which is fine because watches are useless anyway for real time keeping nowadays. I probably won’t buy another one because I only wanted the one I got. But I’m sure it will serve me well.
Its very very very unfortunate that you missed the story of Doxa's true revival by an entrepreneur called Rick Marei, who persuaded the Jenny family to give him a 20 year license and made it what it is today, by a clever strategy of selling online (which was revolutionary in the 90s) with limited productions a bit like a micro-brand. Simply because its his passion to revive cool watches from the 70s (he did the same for Aquastar, and Isofrane and Tropic rubber straps). And when the 20 years expired the Jenny family greedily and ungratefully took back their brand and told him to get lost, and erased his name from the Doxa history. Its current CEO, "Jan Edöcs", did nothing new for the brand, believe me, he is probably the guy behind the "made in China". Rick is the real hero of this brand.
V interesting
The watches Rick produced (from 2001 to 2019) were also made in china, at least as much as the current ones are.
Case blanks are imported then finished by a company called Walca in Switzerland, then along with the eta movement it is all assembled there.
Certainly not the only brand to do this, Panerai springs to mind.
If you want a “real” Doxa, go vintage I guess!
@@cmdrflint9115 Thats interesting. I don't see the problem with the cases made in China actually. If the movement and assembly are Swiss... I see Walco is a private label manufacturer, so there is no Doxa factory I guess?
@@cmdrflint9115 What I don't like is how the current management completely wiped off Marei from the history of the brand altough he kind of believed in the model and saw the potential the owners did not see, and brought it back to life, what do you think?
@@IrishOister I've been collecting since 2007, and while I can't say from my own experiences as a consumer, I have spent much time over the years in the forums and reading from dedicated Doxa collectors from that era. That said, I have heard Marei come up quite a bit, and usually not in a positive light to say the least. He was a very controversial figure in his active years, with many accusations flying around, I'm sure the forum discussions are still viewable on watchuseek. It just doesn't surprise me to hear that there would be bad blood between Marei and the Jenny family after all of the fist shaking in his direction.
Scratch that, I can attest to a bit of dickery on his side of business - back when Aquadive released the Poseidon edition of the GMT a few years ago, they were taking money down on preorders, of which I put out for. It was advertised with a helium release valve in the design, pretty typical of their divers in that style. A bit of time goes by and the final product is proudly displayed, only without an HRV. I questioned this and was hushed off not only by fans, but also by the rep who told me it was an unecessary feature and it wasn't a big deal. Unecessary, true, but also a somewhat complicated bit that certainly adds to the cost and effort of case production. This bothered me because clearly I was receiving less watch than than I had been lead to believe, Aquadive was excluding this feature for the first time from what I believe was their first consumer backed special edition watch that was supposed to be a great deal when price compared to the non special edition GMT, well that's where the savings went. Been a while since I thought about this, but I do recall this kind of dickery being commonplace associated with his name, they say he's a businessman in a true sense.
Funny how the glowing fans can try to bat you down for pointing these things out, as though I'm less for it, I don't care if HRV's aren't necessary, neither is 1,000 feet of water resistance or a GMT complication on a dive watch, everything adds to the cost of production and that is no small omission, if advertised with the lure of a feature and funds are taken on that basis then one must deliver what was promised!
Your collection is deep enough in modern DOXA. Time to go vintage.
excellent disclosure of how manufacturers put profit above build quality and lie
I agree they are less than transparent on their parts sourcing component of the business , controversially going on for years , it doest affect my personal view on the brand I had a 1200T Professional that I finally traded away, not for me.
It has been said that DOXA is the most successful Chinese watch made in Switzerland .....
Doxa it's sad to say have fallen from the tradition and pureness of their Swiss Origin, for the sole purpose of maximizing profits. I'm not concerned with the China sourcing because as we all know there are some very capable and fine High Quality watch manufactures in China. Doxa could be honest about there sourcing choices but instead they choose to walk the fine line of "Swiss Made" just to increase profits. The deception is sad because they still manufacture a very high quality timepiece or does China produce a Doxa High Quality timepiece.
Interesting video and I was not aware of the Chinese manufacturing issue, not that it particularly troubles me, as quite a lot is made in China. Chinese companies have owned Swiss movements manufacturers at various times which is why so many parts for watches are made in China. Heritage sells well these days, so a 60s/70s range of dive watches will appeal to many people, though there are much more attractive watches available in my view, Seiko MM300s for example.
A really great video. I was interested in the 600T, but maybe i need to think about Doxa as a brand.
If I had enough disposable cash, I would have bought at least one Doxa. However, I’ve gone cheap & picked up a Seestern. Almost the same case with a reliable Seiko motor for a tenth of the price. I’ll be honest also, I’m ready to pull the trigger on the Bulova Devil Diver. The movement doesn’t hack, but it seems that everything else about the watch is spot on.
I have one, you will love it. BTW you can "Back Hack" by pulling out the crown to the first position and holding it while giving it a slight turn, the second hand will stop and you can now hack. Mine runs well with in COSC and the movement is made in Japan...NOT china.
Keep your eye out for a decent original vintage one
However you wanna see it: the term SWISS MADE and whats really behind it applies to almost every watch brand. Many parts are manufactured in china, standard swiss movements are slapped inside , quality control in switzerland. There you go. You should basically stop buying "SWISS MADE" watches altogether as brands arent the same they used to be :P But once you see passed that and compare the swiss made watches to actual chinese ones you can once again appreciated that quality standart and the term : SWISS MADE.
Just enjoy it! You are actually able to buy a brand new modern DOXA just like the ones back then. You didnt need to buy vintage with faulty gaskets and what not. How awesome is that? For the very same reasons microbrands , which do hommages are high in demand. No herritage, no Brand recognition, just a damn good product with a great design and lots of specs for the buck. I am about to add a doxa to my collection soonish and so im thinking: Even if DOXA is a hollow shell of the company it once was, they are the only ones who offer me a high end doxa
After seeing this I feel a lot less bad about getting an NH35-powered copy, especially since I had never seen a Sub 6 anyway, if the only continuity is the design language.
I love Doxa. I haven’t bought one yet because they don’t have authorized dealers in my country and I hesitate to buy online and find out it’s too big for my wrist.
When he explained 4000t with less depth and the 1500t , I laughed so hard 😂
Buy enough mechanical watches, Japanese, Swiss or Chinese and you will experience problems with a number of them, you will also pick up some great pieces. I like Doxa, don't own one yet. I think a Sinn may be next, nice review.
It makes a big difference, in particular because they sometimes don‘t specify the movement. So are the movements Selina, ETA or China?
One of your best videos, D. Or at least one of my favorites. So so good. Thanks 🙏🏻
Glad you enjoyed it!
My Sub800TI is my favorite watch in my collection. I will never get rid of it. It’s the watch people always seem to ask about. Not the Rolex, not the Omega, not the Tudor.
Love it.
Congrats on your Doxa collection, and on providing a balanced view of the ownership of the brand for those that might not know. I would be interested in your views on the relationship between Doxa and Synchron, but not sure the youtube algorithm would give it much love. Great video as always.
I want the JLC Deep Sea Alarm so much. So freakin beautiful
Thanks.
That was a really useful vid!
Nice inglenook to speak from also.
A very good question. While the quality may still be there, I won't pay that much for a Chinese watch. So I'll be looking elsewhere. Thanks for the information.
This makes me want a Doxa more than I did before I clicked on this vid. I appreciate the honest of the brand, and appreciate the mystery as well. But, with all the choices, I'm not sure which one I like the most.
I have had the doxa
300T and the 200 both were sweet.
I have been holding out for the 300 orange dial with that bubble crystal. That's the one to get!
that was very helpful and informative. learned all about Doxa. Watched the whole thing. well done.
Glad it was helpful!
I’m looking to purchase a Doxa in the near future (Either the orange or yellow). It’s disappointing to hear they do not consider themselves a watch manufacturer, but it doesn’t deter me from the brand. From reading reviews, they seem to be built well and this should be the main driving factor to
purchase one.
There's DOXA 'homage..' brands like Seestern, available legally, that produce excellent quality watches at less than 10% cost of 'swiss' brand, which makes me question the pricing not only of DOXA but also Rolex (just look at Steinhart..) and probably others too
ive read many forums about doxa being "swiss-ese" and from what i found is they make there cases and movements are switzerland made but the bracelet and glass is made in hong kong not sure about the dial but doxa has said all there modals cases are machined in switzerland that being said many swiss watch brands take advantage of the 60 percent law even tudor makes there bracelet's in china same said with omega the only fully made swiss watches are for watches above 10k like the likes of rolex and patek and so on i think a lot of people dont know most of these "swiss made watches" that are under 10k have parts made from overseas
Thanks for another interesting and informative video Damian...... I've always liked Doxa but just never quite enough to buy one but right the way through this video I was thinking I really should get one untill the twist in the story !! Lol
I’ve tried the watches on and they feel and look great. The movement is very good so not sure there is a problem with the Chinese connection.
Great video - been considering a Doxa for a while now..
Thank you, Mo
If a brand doesn't explicitly state where the parts are made it's very safe to assume they come from China. Looking at a sub300, the movement alone is probably double the manufacturing price of all the other parts combined.
Great video. Love the vintage look of the orange dial, sub 300t. I hope to own one someday.
What a great review of Doxa in general! Thanks!
I wish you would have talked about the effect Clive Cussler and Dirk Pitt had on Doxa watches.
I considered it
I might as well buy Seiko at Seiko prices.