to HRV or not to HRV??

[DOXA S.A.]

Dear friends and forum members,as Pete has just started talking about his favorite subject, the HRV, and we have been working on the super SUB since 2001, collecting information from the forum, we have considered all requests of the past few years and put them into the survey, so I like to ask you to participate in the "SUPER SUB" survey: http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=74711.

I know that opinions and tastes will differ, so we decided to let democracy rule, and use, only the results of survey to determine which features to incorporate into the new super SUB. We intentionally left out the details, like hand colors or fonts used, and highlighted only the major technical features, which need new tooling and radical technical design changes.

Please participate and get your vote in before the end of the month, in order to be part of the next DOXA major release

Thank you
Rick

[MarkJnK]

I particpated in the poll, and appreciate the opportunity to voice our opinions. I'm especially excited about the possibility of a ratcheting clasp. In the poll, one question that I misunderstood was the "thicker modern bracelet". I quickly asumed that it referred to the thicker GMT rice bead bracelet and voted yes. When in reality I think it refers to a totally redesigned bracelet style?
Thats something I wouldn't want to see unless it is an evolution of the rice-bead bracelet. A wider (22mm or 24mm), thicker, rice bead style would be great IMHO. Please, no oyster or more contemporary style. The rice-beads are a Doxa exclusive in todays market... keep that style please, just thicker and wider with a ratcheting clasp. Where do I send my deposit? :thanks

[DoxaDavid]

Rick,

I for one appreciate Doxa's continued commitment to allow Doxaholics and forum members alike to help participate in the input of new models and features. I feel as long as you continue to show support for us, we will continue to be loyal enthusiasts.

:thanks
David

[Flyingdoctor]

Bigger, strong, faster...we have the technology to rebuild it... que Six Million Dollar Man music

I think Doxa now have the perfect opportunity to make a SUB which has its heritige in the original SUB 300T Conquistador but moves the whole game forward.

People seem to want, and the trend is definitely towards the bigger watch. Doxa could make a 750T sized case with the thickness of the Aubry 750T or SUB 200T.Graph, drill a hole in it and stuff a HRV in and people would be extatic. The thickness of the bezel now used on the 750T and 1000T is a big improvement. It is easier to grip with gloved hands and has 120 click rotation. The thicker bezel and thicker case allows a thicker crystal and hence increased depth rating (personally I'd make it flat - never mind underwater reflections etc etc - just look at how sexy the 300T reissue looked with the flat crystal). A higher end movement like the 2892 is a nice touch and just raises the bar.

Although I have never had a problem with any spring bars I can see why people would want a screwed bracelet. Just make sure you tell people to locktite the screws if they change it out Also the ratching clasp is a nice touch and I think a more substantial version of the old one would be a definite winner. I've seen the new bracelet prototype and while not a pure ricebead it is "close" enough to retain the flavour but looks more tool watch. I ike it.

The prototype dial I saw is the thing that I think would be most controversial. It is a slight departure form the classic Doxa SUB design but it has been done to increase the lume on the dial significantly. I also think it looks more expensive and I'd bet it glows like a cracked nuclear reactor.

All in all I think this could definitely be the ultimate SUB and a way for Doxa to move forward into the future while still maintaining a link to the past.

Lets see some pics

Pete

[MarkJnK]

I've seen the new bracelet prototype and while not a pure ricebead it is "close" enough to retain the flavour but looks more tool watch. I ike it.

Pete

Oh Pete, you can't say that without sharing the pics!... come on, let us see too... please......??

[Flyingdoctor]

If I showed you the photo of the prototype, Rick would just burn my apartment to the ground ....ha, ha, ha.

It really is an early thing they slapped together and I'm sure it has changed mucho since then. But I'd love to post it.......

Can anyone smell burning?

Pete

[jstawasz]

Now that Doxa prices are about the same as Breitling they should include a HRV as standard equipment on all their dive watches along with COSC modules. They're going to have to compete with Tag, Omega, and Breitling, however these companies sell a heck of a lot more than dive watches. I think the competition is going to be good for everyone. The ADs are going to make it or break it on whether or not they have wriggle room to haggle on prices. Just because I can afford to spend $2000 on a watch doesn't mean I'm going to give it away. If an AD is willing to give me a $300 to $500 discount I'll go with them. At this point in my watch collecting I'm going to go with the AD that gives me the most watch for my money. When I bought my second Doxa I was on the verge of getting a Steelfish. The price differential was enough to encourage me to go with Doxa. That price difference no longer exists so now I'll go with the watch with the better Specs., aesthetics and price.

Joe

[Flyingdoctor]

Now that Doxa prices are about the same as Breitling they should include a HRV as standard equipment on all their dive watches along with COSC modules. They're going to have to compete with Tag, Omega, and Breitling, however these companies sell a heck of a lot more than dive watches. I think the competition is going to be good for everyone. The ADs are going to make it or break it on whether or not they have wriggle room to haggle on prices. Just because I can afford to spend $2000 on a watch doesn't mean I'm going to give it away. If an AD is willing to give me a $300 to $500 discount I'll go with them. At this point in my watch collecting I'm going to go with the AD that gives me the most watch for my money. When I bought my second Doxa I was on the verge of getting a Steelfish. The price differential was enough to encourage me to go with Doxa. That price difference no longer exists so now I'll go with the watch with the better Specs., aesthetics and price.

Joe

I have to agree with Joe. I used to own a Breitling Superocean. It was the original orange version and I loved it. I used it as my beater as I bought it second hand and it had a few marks. I'm still tempted by them. They have uprated the depth rating, it has a HRV as standard and it is a well known and respected brand. When I look at ADs and full retail price I tend to look at the specs and the bang for the buck and what discounts are available as well as the history and other associations. 2,000 dollars for a watch is not an easy decision for many people and there is a lot of competition out there.

Pete

[MarkJnK]

Now that Doxa prices are about the same as Breitling they should include a HRV as standard equipment on all their dive watches along with COSC modules. They're going to have to compete with Tag, Omega, and Breitling, however these companies sell a heck of a lot more than dive watches. I think the competition is going to be good for everyone. The ADs are going to make it or break it on whether or not they have wriggle room to haggle on prices. Just because I can afford to spend $2000 on a watch doesn't mean I'm going to give it away. If an AD is willing to give me a $300 to $500 discount I'll go with them. At this point in my watch collecting I'm going to go with the AD that gives me the most watch for my money. When I bought my second Doxa I was on the verge of getting a Steelfish. The price differential was enough to encourage me to go with Doxa. That price difference no longer exists so now I'll go with the watch with the better Specs., aesthetics and price.

Joe

That has always been my approach. While I love Doxa's, I don't buy them uncontrollably, or collect them like some of the Doxaholics. The watch still needs to compete for my money. Thats why I only have one right now, the T-Graph, and it is the most expensive watch I own. I paid around $2k for it, and that was a tough decision for me but the watch really spoke to me. It's not that I couldn't afford to spend more, but I seem to have an emotional barrier that keeps me from spending more. I know I'll never spend over $3K for a new T-Graph from a AD. Recently, I considered a 750T Sharkhunter with the Orange minute hand. Resale prices have climbed considerably from where they were a year ago. So I compared the 750T to its competition. What I found was that for similar money I could get a Stowa Prodiver with COSC mov't, 1000ft, and HRV, in a high quality case/bracelet. On paper, the Stowa was a clear winner. On the wrist though, I'm not sure I made the right choice. There is always that intangible feeling associated with a watch that can't be quantified or categorized. Doxa posesses that feeling, and while their watches might not meet their competition feature for feature, they seem to win on an emotional level. The SUB line really does have something special, and I'm very curious if the new "supersub" will retain this emotional hold on us.

Here is an analogy... the SUB line is like the sitcom Seinfeld. It is a combination of elements that come together to create something truly special. Broken down to individual pieces, its nothing extraordinary, much like the individual actors in Seinfeld, but together they are magic.

[shark bait bob]

Hrv,hrv,hrv,hrv,hrv,hrv!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!