DOXA diver dials ... is it a virus or just an obsession ?

[Peguine]

Last news of the "ANCHOR" SUB 300 T ... just waiting for some lume ...

WOWOWOOW love it LOVE IT

 

[amplitude]

I'm impressed. You are doing much better work here with these dials than Kirk Dial does. I'm actually shocked at the detail & sharpness. I'm not clear exactly how you are doing this, but it's great work

 

[manodeoro]

WOWOWOOW love it LOVE IT

Thanks bro ... unfortunately that one is a one shot only, unless you are a former US Navy Commander too

 

[manodeoro]

I'm impressed. You are doing much better work here with these dials than Kirk Dial does. I'm actually shocked at the detail & sharpness. I'm not clear exactly how you are doing this, but it's great work

Thanks for the kind words ... I've never checked Kirk Dial work but I've seen some Doxa redials made by International Dial Company and ... all modesty put aside I must admit that I prefer the ones I make.
Maybe the difference can be explained with simple words .. "hobby" and "dedicated craftsmanship" on my side ... "corporated business" and "commercial activity" on theirs.
That's why I'll probably never make a living as a dial maker, though I've been thinking about doing that ... more than once.
No real secrets here so let's do the math :
- I work on spare time only (I'm lucky enough to have a real job) but by adding the hours spent I can say that it takes me from 1 to 3 days to make a good dial
- my prices range goes from $120 to $250 ... an average $150 as I'm rarely asked to make a really complicated custom dial
At the pace of 1 to 2 dials a month I just make some spare money ... that all goes into watchmaking tools
Now let's imagine working full time on this :
- making 1 dial every 1 day at $150, the entries would be $3000 a month ... more or less
- divide that amount by 3 (expenses, equipment, social charges, taxes, etc ...) and that would be $1000 net in my pocket
So ... to really make a living with dial making I should work twice faster and double my price range.
Let's put aside the doubled price range ... I really doubt that buyers would be ready to pay $240 to $500 for a reprinted dial, even a high-end quality one.
About dividing by 2 the time pasted to make a dial ... a professional pad-printer would help but an old Schmidt or Roger Ferner in good working condition sells $2000 to $3000 more or less ... if you ever find one ... I've once played with the idea of crowdfunding to buy one and offering a discount as a reward but I never made this happen.
So I'll keep doing that on spare time for some more years, slowly improving my skills and increasing the production if I can find spare time enough ...
But you never knows so maybe ... some day

 

[manodeoro]

Fore those who would like to wear the Doxa look without paying $$$$$ here are good news !!!
The Maranez Samui Steel is back on shop here https://www.maranez.com/shop

 

[APjumbo]

I have been keeping my eye out for a maranez but have also found a watch called tactical frog that looks like a good base.

has anyone had any experience or have any thoughts on this other homage.

found at Ali Exp or watchdives dot com.

 

[manodeoro]

I have been keeping my eye out for a maranez but have also found a watch called tactical frog that looks like a good base.

has anyone had any experience or have any thoughts on this other homage.

found at Ali Exp or watchdives dot com.

About the TACTICAL FROG I think you should read the comparative review written by Peter McClean Millar here
Peter has written many books about Doxa Divers, in collaboration with the brand itself, and could be considered as "the doxa guy".
I haven't had that hommage in hands but I have discussed about it with Peter and that watch seems to be great and a bang for the bucks..
The only real concern is the tachy bezel that looks weird on a dive watch though, in my opinion, it catch the "Doxa spirit" better than the bezel of the Maranez Samui Steel.
You can keep it as it is or swap the dial for a Doxa rep dial ... any choice will be good as long as it's yours

 

[APjumbo]

That article you linked was wonderful. What a great sense of humour he has. Thanks for sharing. I’ll probably pick one up.

 

[SteveMcQueen1930]

manodeoro :
Do you also produce Doxa signed dials for nh35 movements (28,5mm diameter)? I‘m planning to get one of those Tactical Frog (or Seestern) watches and I‘m thinking about putting one of your amazing dials inside.

 

[manodeoro]

manodeoro :
Do you also produce Doxa signed dials for nh35 movements (28,5mm diameter)? I‘m planning to get one of those Tactical Frog (or Seestern) watches and I‘m thinking about putting one of your amazing dials inside.

Of course I do
Those days 80% of the Doxa dials I make go to gen Doxa collectors, but I'm still doing some for NH35 mods
Here's one for a nice and seasoned member on RWG.cc ... blacklung dial with custom blancklung handset




BTW ... I'm still hesitating on which is the best Doxa hommage ...
TACTIVAL FROG :
- the guys that make it showed the V2 new bezel, with "FEET" instead of "TACHYMETER" but they didn't confirmed if the inner bezel ring IS or IS NOT rotating now ...
- the case is a little too slim for a 300T
SEESTERN :
- the bezel ring, though not a strict copy, really catch the vintage Doxa SUB spirit
- the case is fat like a 300T
- the lugs are drilled

 

[manodeoro]

Just checked the seestern website today and they have discount codes :
1 watch -code : 10now
2 watches -code : 20now
1 watches -code : 30now

So a SUB300 ordered from seestern, shipped to France (no DHL nor Fedex) is 173€ (20% VAT included) ... $205 more or less
The same watch ordered from AliExpress is 219€ (20% VAT included) so 46€ more ... $259 more or less

I think I can live with the drilled lugs so now my only concern about the seestern is the ugly lumed date wheel ... but a white DW from AE is 3€ shipped only

I just send them an email today to ask if it's possible to get it with a sterile case ... if the answer is YEs that will be really nice as I could engrave a nice doxa ship on the caseback

 

[schtozo]

Just checked the seestern website today and they have discount codes :
1 watch -code : 10now
2 watches -code : 20now
1 watches -code : 30now

So a SUB300 ordered from seestern, shipped to France (no DHL nor Fedex) is 173€ (20% VAT included) ... $205 more or less
The same watch ordered from AliExpress is 219€ (20% VAT included) so 46€ more ... $259 more or less

I think I can live with the drilled lugs so now my only concern about the seestern is the ugly lumed date wheel ... but a white DW from AE is 3€ shipped only

I just send them an email today to ask if it's possible to get it with a sterile case ... if the answer is YEs that will be really nice as I could engrave a nice doxa ship on the caseback

Very nice, keep us posted please! I know you will..

 

[sharko92]

I've been checking in on this thread daily. I'd love to make a seestern doxa. Thanks for the updates. This is great stuff.

 

[manodeoro]

Big problem with the seestern will be the caseback ... the wave is really nice but it seems to be really deep engraved too
I'm not certain it can be removed without runing the caseback

 

[sharko92]

That case back wouldn't bother me too much personally once it's on my wrist. They do mention the crown is signed which if it's a starfish could look out of place. Do you think finding a suitable replacement crown for the cushion case would be a challenge ? I wouldn't mind an unsigned crown.

 

[manodeoro]

That case back wouldn't bother me too much personally once it's on my wrist. They do mention the crown is signed which if it's a starfish could look out of place. Do you think finding a suitable replacement crown for the cushion case would be a challenge ? I wouldn't mind an unsigned crown.

Seems to be the same starfish which is on the clasp ...
It also seems to be just lightly laser engraved so ... though I can vouch ... it should be easily removed with fine sandong and repolish

 

[asturianin]

I will keep in for such amazing work.

Thank you for share it for us.

I hope in the near future talk with you to buy one of yours amazing dials.

:woohoo:

 

[sharko92]

Seems to be the same starfish which is on the clasp ...
It also seems to be just lightly laser engraved so ... though I can vouch ... it should be easily removed with fine sandong and repolish

YouTube channel "the watcher" just posted a video review of this seestern. Looks like it could be a great base aside from the case back. I've really enjoyed this thread. Thanks again Manodeoro.

 

[SteveMcQueen1930]

manodeoro : I received my Froggie yesterday and will pick up my Seestern tomorrow from the post office. If I find time, I will make a short review / comparison of the two watches.
The Froggie is definitely very wearable. But the Seestern should be in total more true to a Doxa Sub.
For the time being I put another hommage dial in the frog yesterday.

 

[semperfi55]

Hehe my Seestern has arrived, overall quite pleased with it!

More pics here
https://www.rwg.bz/board/index.php?/topic/163966-seestern-sub-300-orange-doxa-homage/

manodeoro This dial seems to have the date window a bit closer to the edge? Perhaps it can achieve the vintage gen Aqua Lung dial look without needing a compromise on hash marks there?