The Doxa SUB 300T Aristera turns the legend left-handed
Buffy AcaciaWithout a doubt, the modern incarnation of Doxa loves to spoil its customers. From fan-favourites being reduced in size and price to highly thematic limited editions, Doxa makes sure that you still want more after owning one of the classics. Well, for the first time, Doxa has decided to treat its left-handed admirers with the SUB 300T Aristera, featuring a crown on the left side. Whether you’re a lefty or just someone who hates crowns touching your wrist, this could be the model you’ve been waiting for.
The case
To begin with, Doxa’s hallmark cushion case has always used a recessed crown. The idea is that the crown is then protected by the case, and it doesn’t stick out to accidentally dig into the back of your hand. There’s probably a bigger market for right-handed people who prefer left-handed watches just for that reason alone, because not many people need to use the crown on an automatic watch while wearing it. However, because the crown is recessed, the SUB 300T Aristera actually does ensure that it will be comfortable for people who wear watches on their right wrists, myself included.
Dimensionally, the Aristera (which is the Greek word for “left”) is the same as the classic Doxa SUB 300T. The 42.5mm diameter is plenty chunky for some hefty wrist presence, while the 44.5mm lug-to-lug length keeps it compact enough for smaller wrists as well. 14mm is a pretty average height for an automatic dive watch, but considering it’s water resistant all the way to 1,200 metres, still pretty impressive. The other difference between the Aristera and a regular 300T is the aluminium bezel insert instead of a stainless steel one. This is an homage to some of the 1980s Doxas released once the company was owned by Aubry Frères, and it just makes the dial pop a little brighter.
The dial
And now we’re back in familiar territory. The dial of the Doxa SUB 300T is one of the most recognisable dive watch dials of all time, having been favoured by the legendary Jacques Cousteau and helping make colourful watch dials popular. While Doxa has always produced a decent range of colours, it’s the pumpkin-orange Professional which is most commonly associated with the brand. The printed hour markers with a thick band of Super-LumiNova between two black stripes almost give the illusion of being applied indices as was popular in the ‘60s, and the crosshairs further emphasise the dial’s utilitarian approach.
Doxa’s quirkiness is what makes it so loveable, but all of its quirks are always in service of legibility. For example, the hour and minute hands are almost laughably different in size, but you’ll never confuse the two, even at a glance. The thick, square pip of lume on the seconds hand is extremely visible too, which helps to show that your watch is still running while underwater.
The movement
There’s really no need for a Doxa SUB 300T to get fancy with movements, so the ETA 2824-2 is a bit of a no-brainer. It’s been the go-to Swiss movement for decades, with reliable performance, longevity, and an abundance of spare parts which tends to make servicing costs quite affordable. It can be regulated to run within chronometer-level accuracy with the help of a trusted watchmaker, and that’s only if it’s not impressing you when you’re using it out of the box. With a smooth beat rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour, the power reserve is admittedly low at 38 hours. It winds automatically with a Doxa-decorated rotor, although that’s covered up by a solid caseback with Doxa’s fish motif. Modification was also required to keep the date display at 3 o’clock despite the crown location.
The straps
A stainless steel beads-of-rice bracelet is an absolute staple of Doxa’s watches, so the SUB 300T Aristera wouldn’t be complete without one. The polished beads definitely add some flashy texture to the bracelet without feeling overly formal or traditional like a polished flat link would. The solid clasp is stamped with Doxa’s logo, as well as featuring a hidden diver’s extension, should you need to fit it over a wetsuit. In addition to the bracelet, the SUB 300T Aristera also comes with a two-piece nylon strap which isn’t quite a NATO, but is certainly in the NATO style. The black nylon with its central orange stripe is a perfect match for the dial tone and overall energy of the watch, and it’s a great alternative to rubber if you prefer to wear a lightweight strap.
The verdict
Ultimately, the Aristera very close to a standard SUB 300T, with the crown flipped. The execution may not have been as simple as that, but the result seems that way. That’s exactly what most people who want a left-handed crown desire, because we don’t want to feel left out of the most popular watch models. It is a little bit surprising that Doxa has only issued a limited edition of 300 pieces, considering that their limited editions tend to be more stylistically unique. Perhaps we’ll eventually see a standard-production model with a left-handed crown and a stainless steel bezel?
Doxa SUB 300T Aristera pricing and availability
The Doxa SUB 300T Aristera is limited to 300 numbered pieces, and available now. Price: US$2,490
| Brand | Doxa |
| Model | SUB 300T Aristera |
| Case Dimensions | 42.5mm (D) x 14mm (T) x 44.5mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 1,200 metres, screw-down crown |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Professional orange |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Strap | Stainless steel beads-of-rice bracelet Two-piece black nylon strap with orange stripe |
| Movement | ETA 2824-2, modified for the crown and date position |
| Power Reserve | 38 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| Availability | Limited to 300 pieces |
| Price | US$2,490 |