Doxa Sub 200 Review - Doxa's $1000 Diver

[@jefferyneu3915]

I never understood why any company would decorate movements unless these is a display back. I know my SMP has a beautiful movement, but that increased the cost of the watch and I will never see it. That 200 is a great value proposition watch. I would love to have one! Nice review Bruce.

[@ocb05]

Yes main negatives are the lug width, lume, and PRICE. We are talking about $1000 here, that’s no small amount. Doxa should up their game now.

[@hkwon4943]

While I understand where you’re coming from, I personally disagree. I also have closed case back smpc. However, knowing that there is a decorated movement underneath it makes me feel like I have a watch that the company put some effort into it. It isn’t anything Patek level per se, but I think it makes the watch a bit more special! But for this Doxa or other Seiko divers, I can care less 😂 lol

[@jeanlefranc3817]

This is what high end means, my friend.

[@BruceWilliams]

It is the principle of it. When you pay for a luxury product. Many people would like a luxury application in every area even if it is not visible

[@Ou81269]

Really. If you can’t see it, what’s the point in decorating it?

[@yousif5191]

I like how you and Random Rob are collaborating, bold yellow is a nice colour

[@niraviv5]

Great video as usual! BUT you missed the point Bruce! 😉 This Doxa is PRECISELY for people (like myself) that love Doxa, but not their divers, and so were waiting for a different design. The accessible price is definitely the cherry on top! 😀 I do agree with you on the mouvement decoration claim... Something, that sadly, many others in the industry are also doing, and they really should stop!

[@elarson312]

I really like the Doxa watches and frankly I prefer the design of the this one over the others. I don’t care about the 19mm to 20mm on the bracelet as I would never take it off. So when this virus subsides I still really would like to purchase one of these in Caribbean blue.

[@alanhutchins5221]

Domed glass always prone to scratches and damage.....flat crystal /sapphire with the bezel giving edge protection always the better option ......

[@acunacorporations]

@@alanhutchins5221 domed looks cooler tho...

[@Silverman10]

Hello, can you tell me if this watch is wear smaller like a 40mm ?

[@duncanidaho2130]

Looking at the movement takes this video to a whole new level. Thank you.

[@RandomRobReviews]

Great video, nailed it.

[@saracenuk.]

Bought one. Yellow dial. Beautiful watch

[@duncanidaho2130]

The Tiffany blue on the 200 makes this a great buy even at the retail price.

[@craiglinford1604]

Love your reviews Bruce .. I always look forward to them

[@ripperx444]

I gave the blue one a shot before getting a Sub 300T in order to test our DOXA. This watch is amazing and could have easily had a price of 2k ask! One of the best bezels as well. Compare this bezel action to a panerai submseroble! You will laugh at how a $900 watch destroys it

[@amickinflorida9008]

Sir, you cannot "up the budget a little", you have to double your budget for the next model up. You are being misleading.

[@lamaludwig1470]

Agree here

[@theprince08853]

Yeah the next one up is practically double.

[@atl3630]

But the difference is only $1,000. That’s not that much for more capability.

[@theprince08853]

@@atl3630 C'mon man. It's literally virtually 100% more.

[@jamesh3008]

Macro shots make that dial pop even more!

[@bigidiot123]

The value arguments are always interesting to me. I’m hard pressed to think of any watches from big name Swiss brands that sell a better watch for less money. The Longines hydro conquest retails for $1600 and is often lauded as a great value. Same thing with Oris watches that retail for over 2 grand. This watch seems to be offering the same as either of those brands - high quality case and bracelet with a standard grade 2824 slapped in the back.

[@scottlalonde2878]

Missed this video, glad KZbin suggested it for me, thanks Bruce. Doxa came oh so close to me having a conversation with the wife about ANOTHER WATCH. but the cruddy lume is a deal breaker. Thanks again.

[@grantr2279]

Lume is really a dealbreaker for you? How often are you actually using your lume on your current watches? I never ever use mine.

[@scottlalonde2878]

@@grantr2279 Hi Grantr, I wear a watch to bed. If the lume doesn't last at least most of the night, it's pretty much a dress watch. Dealbreaker? I guess 2 years ago it was.

[@grantr2279]

@@scottlalonde2878 Good to know- I was just curious what I wasnt thinking of. And yes, it was 2 years ago but I'm thinking about the doxa sub 200 now. Thanks for the response, cheers.

[@datta55]

Couldn’t agree with you more Bruce! 990$ is a bit a stretch. I picked up my Caribbean sub 200 for $650 on the used market and I think it’s great value at that price point. The omega case and the beads does it for me!

[@GeorgeFrideric71]

'Price'

[@TheCruizer]

Your intros are always excellent! 👍

[@BruceWilliams]

Thank you!

[@TheCruizer]

@@BruceWilliams: The reviews also, btw! ;)

[@argoperdana6823]

Planning to buy this on that "professional" orange dial. I was never really a fan of the legendary Sub 300T or the 1500T, I'm diggin' the looks of this different, less-striking Sub 200. Thanks for the review!

[@chulkcha]

Great review Bruce. I think you found the positives and negatives of this watch. Great looking piece and the bracelet looks so comfortable to wear. Shame the lug width is 19mm and the bracelet is 20mm, very strange. Possibly stopping people transfering the bracelet to other watches. Also the lume is a bit disappointing, otherwise it's a great looking piece.

[@giangvu7902]

Thanks for the movement shot Bruce!

[@seanlim1733]

Hi Bruce nice to finally see a face to the voice. Love your videos and thank you for coming up with reviews and watch videos even at this difficult times and for bringing a little cheer to us watch fans out here. Stay safe and keep doing what you do! 👍🏻

[@AndrewTPewPew]

Just wanna say bro, you do good work. Always enjoy the content, down to earth and good solid info. Add to that some good video editing! You should offer your KZbin editing services, heck I’d hire ya!

[@BruceWilliams]

I appreciate that. I enjoy editing 👍

[@Daniel-bv2wc]

Doxas sister company Jenny currently have the Jenny Carribbean 300 in various finishes for $495 on the rubber dive strap for sale on eBay brand new. They are very similar watches. I think I'd be taking that over this doxa offering, although I would like the beads of rice bracelet option ideally.

[@joem5140]

At 0:05 I thought for a second you went all TGV on us and got yourself dialed. No hate to TGV though I have the Squale 30atmos TGV blue dial and love it. And I might even go a "Bruce Williams Presents" one if you even go that way haha!

[@TheCrispyjones]

Whoever commented about the bearded baby, damn you! Can’t unsee it now😂 nice watch this one, air king is still my favourite from your solid collection 👍

[@matthewtunnicliffe201]

It's a very nice watch, Bruce, and in my opinion, probably worth the money. However, I doubt I'd buy one because if I was on the market for a watch in that price range I'd probably go for one of the Seiko offerings. Also for around £300 more you could get that gorgeous Oris Divers 65 that you reviewed a couple of years back.

[@BruceWilliams]

I would rather have a 65 than this 200 for the price personally

[@EverydayWatchGuy]

Your hair is on point in this video. Also, thanks for showing us behind the case-back of the Doxa.

[@BruceWilliams]

Thanks bro!

[@patricknaswell2686]

A fair review. This watch has an awesome design but I ultimately agree with you about the movement. Ultimately, it com s down to, would you like the Omega look from a legit manufacturer for less than $1,000 - with some expected sacrifices in quality. The hold back, for me, is the lack of loom. Probably too important a corner to cut.

[@BruceWilliams]

I would agree with you. Divers should have at the minimum decent lume

[@chums101]

Great review. Can I ask what size your wrist is?

[@android61242]

That case shape is pretty dope Bruce.

[@MAELOB]

I own one and you are right probably not the best value, but I still appreciate the fact that it is a Doxa and it still have the history. No buyers remorse from my side. For me the only issue is that the bazel is super hard to turn. But besides that the watch is cool. This is the watch for watch geeks LOL

[@tarasmathers7423]

well put.... you took the words right out of my mouth

[@VinceC-y4t]

The 200 is a watch that can pass as sport and dress the 300 is just sport. Both great but for me the 200 sharkhunter ticks all the boxes.

[@mavericklewis4392]

Stay safe and healthy everyone and take care of yourselves.

[@lamaludwig1470]

Nobody seems to be really happy with the Sub 200 for that price. Maybe it should cost either 300 bugs less or 300 more with better quality.

[@dinner_workingsly]

Totally agree here, best to just up the budget a bit and go a model up. I just don’t like beads of rice, and that’s kind of a Doxa thing. That Poseidon one you had was rad.

[@Ou81269]

I personally see this as a fashion watch. Built more for style than function. The colors, retro appearance and flashy bracelet lends itself well to accessorize your attire.

[@drewsleyy3836]

except that Doxa has real diving heritage, made their watches a bright color for underwater visibility, the depth rating is excellent, and the overall value is class!

[@jw6810-r2b]

Bruce you look healthy! Well done and keep it up! and stay safe in this difficult time.

[@BruceWilliams]

Thank you Jack. Still slowly dropping the weight

[@weeleung6043]

Is the bezel ceramic?

[@richardbosh4522]

Excellent video Would you recommend this watch ? what known brands would you compare it to ? how's the quality and craftsmanship ? and most importantly the lume ? Doxa is very underrated

[@jason_jay3868]

Video was good as usual, that outro though was great, would have made a great intro as well

[@imadamwoodley2513]

Hi Bruce, which do you prefer, the Sub 200 or the Sub 300t?

[@pontdecheruy]

Hi Bruce, What would be your top 5 diver list watch. Case =>42mm and under 1000k. ( No Seiko please :) ) Thanks in advance,

[@Seikoholic1973]

Hey there. Very nice video. One question, why did you sell your Doxa sub 300? BTW what is your opinion on the Doxa sub 300t searambler? Thanks.

[@BruceWilliams]

I sold it so I could buy other watches to review. Great watch. I really enjoy the 300t searambler. If I see a decent price on a silver lung I am ready to buy

[@kostar500]

Nice review... keep up the good job

[@shafro1]

Hi Bruce, great review. One question. It looks like there are two o-ring seals inside for water resistance. Am I correct?

[@BruceWilliams]

Yes there are double gaskets on the caseback

[@edwardblack7133]

Another great video...thanks you. What is the diameter of the dial on the 300?

[@RedwoodAggie]

Bruce, I am very interested in this watch, though either the black or Caribbean blue dial variants. The higher level Doxas have great history, and I have respect for them, but they do not appeal to me aesthetically. Since you're also a Seiko fan, how would you compare something like this to the slightly pricier upcoming SPB149 62 MAS re-issue ($1,350) or SPB151 "Captain Willard" ($1,300) as far as value/specs? Obviously Seiko's Lumibrite is going to dominate the lume on this Doxa (my one disappointment), but would I be better off getting an actual Swiss dive watch with a (theoretically...I don't know the ratings on the Doxa) more accurate movement? The Seiko doe have a 70hr power reserve, which would be dang nice. On a side note, I can't believe Doxa is charging $250 to buy their rubber strap for the 200 separately. That's crazy! I probably wouldn't be buying until sometime this summer at the earliest, so both Seikos should likely be available.

[@BruceWilliams]

Sean I think that is a great question! I'm not sure to be honest. I need to see the new releases in person as that is so different than looking at specs and pics online. Just estimating here but I would imagine the Doxa will pull ahead in bracelet quality and movement accuracy. Likely the Seiko taking all other categories. Bezel action a toss up as I did not like this Sub 200 action that much

[@RedwoodAggie]

@@BruceWilliams Thanks! Hopefully you can get your hands on those new Seikos, and I will revisit after you post videos on them.

[@GabrielGGabGattringer]

Informative review thanks Bruce (& thanks to RR for lending that watch to Bruce!). Georgeous piece! I love the color. Some downsides of course (lug width; I just don´t like anything beside 22mm). Lume is usable, but poor (compared to any Seiko, Zelos etc. For 1,000 USD (which is twice my budget) I expected more to be honest. Also: just another brand using ETA movements, it gets boring imho.

[@BruceWilliams]

If this was priced at 500... would you consider it?

[@ronenaver]

@@BruceWilliams Personally speaking, I would buy right away for 500 and even 600! BTW great review as always Bruce 👍

[@robhaley802]

Interesting.. I have the 1200t Caribbean and have been considering one of these for a different color and case option... I don’t want to spend the money on another Doxa that is almost the same as the Doxa that I already have and this makes me think twice about the 200...

[@runrin_]

the intro is super intense, then the least intense "hello everyone" possible. lol good video tho.

[@larry.l]

The last time I was this early... wait I was never this early. WOOP!

[@BruceWilliams]

Nicely done

[@RedwoodAggie]

The lume is very disappointing for a company with such a great dive watch reputation. I'm glad it doesn't have a clear case back, as that movement sure is nothing to look at. I had seen disappointing lume in another view (yours is the best review I have seen), but that hurts. That and although the bright colored dials are cool, saving something like the pop of orange seconds w/black dial for their limited editions and charging a lot more just stinks. I don't want the bright color dialed versions, but I do like pops of color on hand(s). Even on my blue Alpinist, the tiny dots of lume and the hands are super bright when I come in from elsewhere with bright light, without even trying. That Seiko lume is just great, but I digress.

[@Samurai9901]

Does anyone know which grade movement it is?

[@markjohn1910]

Got this watch in the Caribbean blue , tbh the lume does not bother me at all , I actually think it’s worth it’s price , I can feel the quality of it on my wrist . Having said that I will purchase the sub 300 as it’s awesome . I also own the oris diver 65 , now that’s a watch and a half

[@sharpsvilleBill]

Not to be a Debbie downer but I have 4 watches with ETA 2824 movements and they all stopped working. My DOXA 600T Dirk Pitt edition was sent back because the crown was loose, the bezel lost a lot of paint in the numbers and it quit running. After $1,000 paid to a certified DOXA repairman in LA (the new bezel was $450) it looked brand new and was running again. After 3 years it simply out of nowhere stopped running again. I had $3k in that watch that now sets in a drawer. I also have a Baume et Mercier F1 that got a gritty wind and then stopped running. My Glycine stopped and I took it to a local Rolex certified (and many other) watch repairman. After $350 to get it running it stopped after 2 years. So as you can Imagine IMO ETA 2824 movements are junk. I LOVE the DOXA look however and take it out of the drawer to reminisce once in a while.

[@BruceWilliams]

Dang man it sounds like you are either really hard on your watches or the unluckiest watch fan!

[@sharpsvilleBill]

@@BruceWilliams I treasure my Swiss watches. Unlucky for sure.

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

Damn what do you do to your watches? I’ve never had a watch just stop running,

[@Orion64-y4w]

BS.

[@entroheat]

Somehow these watches are not available abundantly on second hand market and for more or less worries won’t lose half off if you sell them in future, I bought the orange one from do a website and to my luck np tax charged so that’s 9 percent saving.

[@Hoyheim98]

Could you review the new tag heuer gmt Batman? Would be awesome, if you can get your hands on one!

[@jorneblomaard6490]

Very good and onteresting review Bruce, thank you! I wonder how you would rate this against let’s say an oris65? I mean, on paper this doxa beats the 65 while the 65 is more than twice the price in Europe.

[@BruceWilliams]

Ouch I didnt know they were such a premium in Europe. They can be had in the mid 1000s here which is more than the Doxa but I like the Oris more personally. I've owned a few most recently the Bico

[@jorneblomaard6490]

Bruce Williams the Bico looks awesome! Would snap that up for 1500 in no time. Personally in that price range I like the look of the Tourby lawless and Longines HC a lot.

[@CherdenkoAM]

Cool watch

[@stressfactor9257]

what about accuracy? great review tho!

[@clo2715]

This watch should cost as much as the Seiko SBDC051. Around $650.

[@BruceWilliams]

I would concur

[@robhaley802]

Really? Even with seiko’s terrible quality control? I think the upgrade in movement from the seiko to an ETA makes me feel better about spending more on the Doxa rather than a seiko. I like seiko and I’ve owned around 20 or so and at least 10 have had QC issues.

[@jacc88888]

Wonder what your wife thinks of this one compared to the design of the 300 or 1200? 😉. I love the 70s retro vibe of this one and the bracelet. Shame about the lume. Would love it if they did it in a dark, sunburst blue.

[@BruceWilliams]

She said it pretty much looks the same as my last yellow one haha

[@jacc88888]

Bruce Williams 😂 Haha Honest answer I guess!

[@anthonywallace9479]

Had doxa 600t sub special edition. Coin emblem fell off back. Bezel broke. Crown tube broke. Lug holes eroded. Doxa couldnt/wouldnt service. Off the shelf eta. Better to just get a sinn

[@BruceWilliams]

That is very disappointing

[@anthonywallace9479]

@@BruceWilliams Appreciate your reviews. I look forward to them.

[@jewblin2497]

About upping the budget a little bit. You have to double your budget to get a 300 instead of 200. It's not a little bit in my dictionary...

[@sandyentoronto]

Nice video, one question how difficult would be to replace the bracelet, also from a value point of view is the CW Trident C600 a better choice or would this Doxa 200 hold its value longer over time, thanks

[@BruceWilliams]

Removing the bracelet is easy but finding a good 19mm strap is harder imo. Between this and a cward I would estimate doxa would hold a little more value long term

[@noelmurphy3450]

Hi Bruce, thanks for your review of the Doxa Sub 200. I am a proud owner of a Doxa Sharkhunter 🦈 1200T (I love it and the black dial is gorgeous). The only problem is that it is hard to buy a 1200T new as they are pretty much sold out and the 300 isn't easy to buy new either. The Sub200 isn't a 1200T or 300, which are, in my opinion amazing and classic dive watches, but it does (hopefully) introduce this fantastic understated brand to those who may not understand the rich history of Doxa. Many thanks Bruce. Cheers Noel aka valjoux20 Instagram

[@BruceWilliams]

Thanks Noel, I think Doxa needs to produce regular batches, and bring back more of the classic editions. They could sell a lot more I think

[@noelmurphy3450]

@@BruceWilliams I agree Bruce 👍

[@ClassicalProtestant]

That clasp at this price point..DOXA what’s going on?

[@karimdelakarim]

Cool man.

[@MarcusGLovesWatches]

First time I’m going to say this : bad value for a Doxa . Save up for the 300T

[@jeanlefranc3817]

Weird move from Doxa indeed. Nobody expects a decorated movement in a sub 1k rugged diver.

[@BruceWilliams]

Yes I agree nobody expects it... I just wouldn't say on the website that is went through any decoration

[@fragu123]

To me a Doxa without its typical shape of case doesn’t come across too well.... I collected DOXA for years but wouldn’t think of buying this lower end proposition as except the colour of the dial (I do wear Doxas on rubber) there isn’t too much DOXA here unfortunately....

[@BruceWilliams]

I think you raise a very valid point

[@Rivy_ID]

I can't stand that brands still use friction/pressure fit clasps too. I had one of the Sub 300 LEs and it was the same also, ruins an otherwise good bracelet IMO.

[@ИгорьНиколаев-г1м]

Sub 200 good watch but sub 300 much better even if they cost $ 800 more

[@attiliocecchinato4017]

Ha solo il nome. Doxa e'un altra cosa. Brutto!

[@Dave.S.TT600]

HIDEOUS!!!!!!!!!!! thanks for the video

[@Wilburnator]

Out of touch reviewer