BY JOVAN KRSTEVSKI
The original vintage Doxa Army was first introduced in the 1960s for Swiss Army divers. That blacked-out watch with its matte black case, matte black insert diving bezel, and the sand-beige dial is a highly sought-after vintage model nowadays by avid watch enthusiasts. When the brand reintroduced the model earlier this year in April 2022, the new Doxa Army follows the 100-piece “Watches of Switzerland Edition” black ceramic limited edition that was unveiled last April and these new models are not limited edition either.
The new models are made of stainless steel rather than black ceramic of the original limited edition version. The case is made of 316L stainless steel and measures 42.50 mm x 11.95 mm. The two base variants have bezels made of steel and bronze, respectively; the steel bezel variant has a black ceramic insert, while the bronze bezel variant has a hunter-green ceramic insert. The dial is protected by a sapphire crystal, while the case back is solid. The water resistance is 300 meters.
Even at a glance, the new Doxa Army timepieces distinguish themselves from the limited-edition version. The matte beige dial has the same pattern as the original Doxa Army. The orange hour and minute hands contrast nicely with the beige dial in the backdrop. All diving-related indicators have Super-LumiNova luminous coating, which is essential for a dive watch and ensures exceptional readability underwater.
The trusty powerhouse Sellita SW200-1 movement is the driving engine for Doxa Army Steel. It has an operational frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) and it offers a 38 hours of power reserve.
There are a number of options available to the buyer, who has a choice of stainless steel or bronze bezel with choice of the color of ceramic insert and last but not least, the choice of bracelet and strap. The “beads of rice” style stainless steel bracelet has a folding clasp and the distinctive “DOXA fish” insignia. There is a black rubber strap or a hunter green rubber strap to choose from. The price varies with these options and such that the steel bezel with black ceramic insert on steel bracelet (Ref. 785.10.031.10) costs CHF 1,990 but with with black ceramic insert on black rubber strap (Ref. 785.10.031.20) it’s CHF 1,950. The ones on bronze bezel with green ceramic insert on steel bracelet (Ref. 785.60.031.10), on hunter green rubber strap (Ref. 785.60.031.26) and on black rubber strap (Ref. 785.60.031.20) has the price tags of CHF 2,190, CHF 2,150 and CHF 2,150 respectively.
Visit Doxa here.
