Nanuq Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 The postman was very very good to me today. For your viewing pleasure, a Doxa Sub 300, the first series and the original orange dive watch. This particular model is known as the "Black Lung", arguably the rarest Doxa in the world. One expert suggests there are 7 examples of this watch in existence. Other experts claim there are 3 or perhaps 4. I personally know of 2 others. Each one is engraved with an identifying number. They were made as an exploratory project between US Divers and Doxa. This one is triple signed with the original crown and fully adjustable and working Beads of Rice bracelet. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadog13 Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 nice vintage diver...congrats on the purchase...being a rare model as you say...I can only imagine what was the price you've paid to obtain it! enjoy it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazz Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 Bloody hell Nanuq, you certainly don't do things by halves! Congrats mate its amazing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shundi Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 I think Bazz took the words right out of my mouth...congratulations!! She's a real beauty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cskent69 Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 Nanuq, Wow - great watch. Here is mine. Not as rare as yours - but not bad. I have a working beads of rice band as well - but I took it off and affixed a modern Doxa bracelet to it (so as not to ruin the antique one). Mine is Doxa Sycron era. I still have to send to Rob to have the bezel re-painted. Great to find another Doxa lover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offshore Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 B, Just green with envy my friend! Wanna trade a left testicle? Wear it well mate. Offshore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted November 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 Thanks guys! I have a lot of polishing up still to do, but you should have seen this poor thing when she first arrived! Ouch! So far keeping good time and she's waterproof to boot. Boy this is exciting! @cskent69 That's a great 300T you have there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornerstone Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 Do we have an award yet for acquisition of the year? I think you just won it! Enjoy - that's one helluva watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offshore Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 Nanug, An interesting difference between your watch and cskent's, is the variance in the "no deco" limits on the outer bezel. (Which is what I take these numbers to be) My guess is that yours are developed from US Navy tables, which were developed for fit navy divers, operating only when there was a deco chamber on board; whereas the 2nd watch has limits more closely aligned to sport diver type limits.(probably from Royal Navy tables) Will drag out my old US Navy and Royal Navy manuals later, and check 'em. FWIW, anyone who undertook a "no deco" dive of 5 minutes @ 195, would be seriously at risk of a bend... fit navy diver or not. Offshore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted November 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 As always, an excellent observation! the story behind it is, his bezel (for, as you guessed, Royal Navy no-deco dive times) is graduated in meters where mine is in USN feet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dluddy Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 Amazing piece Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 Although I do not own a Doxa (at least not yet), it is the only other diver's watch I have ever wanted. They are VERY cool-looking watches with a great history & that Black Lung of yours tops them all. Great find. Amid a year with a number of great finds (the recent Tudor Rose Sub acquisition comes immediately to mind), I have to agree with Cornerstone in that this 1 definitely tops them all. How much restorative work are you planning to do on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted November 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 Thank you sir! Coming from you experts that means a lot. The watch is keeping COSC time, having lost 1 second overnight. The crystal is polishing up very nicely, and all seems tight and well. At this point I'm considering having her serviced and *maybe* repainting the bezel numbers. Other than that I'm leaving her as-is. I couldn't be more pleased! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 The watch is keeping COSC time, having lost 1 second overnight. The crystal is polishing up very nicely, and all seems tight and well. At this point I'm considering having her serviced and *maybe* repainting the bezel numbers. Other than that I'm leaving her as-is. I would definitely service her, but you might also consider a new gen crystal (if it is available). I think that would look better than polishing the original (you can usually replace an original crystal (with a similar gen) without adversely affecting the collectibility or value of a vintage watch). That beautiful orange dial would really come alive through a fresh, new lens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justasgood Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 I am happy to think that in some small way I as well as others helped your quest to achieve this rare beauty. When does the pass around begin Nice get. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellomen Posted November 2, 2008 Report Share Posted November 2, 2008 Nice 'black lung', Nanuq !! I have been looking for an aqualung version of the sharky for a long time, but with no success yet... and i miss my old 600T sharky... i was so dumb to trade it for a 750T Sharky but that was not my kind of watch. I should have kept the 600T. Anyways... enjoy that beautiful piece! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ztech Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 Wow, that is one nice Doxa you picked up there Nanuq. Enjoy her in good health. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted November 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 Thank you all, gents! So far so good, she's still keeping COSC time, having gained 4 seconds in two days. I've got almost all the gouges out of the crystal now, and in case nobody noticed from my original photos, I have removed and reinstalled the bracelet the *right* way... it was on backwards. The beauty seems pretty robust too, having been on a few snauxbike rides with me, and participating as I fixed the clutch on my boy's truck. Hey ... if the things can live through Dirk Pitt, then certainly they can survive Nanuq of the North. COSC Standards, Mechanical * Average daily rate: -4/+6 * Mean variation in rates: 2 * Greatest variation in rates: 5 * Difference between rates in H & V positions: -6/+8 * Largest variation in rates: 10 * Thermal variation: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pizzanooo Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 So you snagged that one up, that was a great pickup. But surely not your last?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted November 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 So you snagged that one up, that was a great pickup. But surely not your last?? Of course not! There can never be your "last" watch, only your "next." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chino Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 great to see you that happy, that's not just a great find but also a real investment, besides Doxa's only been catching more and more fans around the globe everyday. I've been after a 600t for some time now and hope to take one when the time is right. I like the policy of refreshing the watch looks but mantaining the vintage look, those aren't scuffs and dings around, those are scars. And if not in the face, they surely will add more character to the piece. congrats man, I see you're already enjoying. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted November 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2008 As you can see from my original photos, the Black Lung's bezel was in pretty rough shape, missing most of its paint. Well, I did a lot of reading and tried a bunch of different paints and techniques... and I think it came out pretty well. Check it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted November 8, 2008 Report Share Posted November 8, 2008 I am happy to think that in some small way I as well as others helped your quest to achieve this rare beauty. Me too! Enjoy it, it's a beaut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanuq Posted November 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2008 Me too! Enjoy it, it's a beaut. Roger that, Pugs! Thanks to you I can post these photos of my new baby! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the window god Posted November 9, 2008 Report Share Posted November 9, 2008 How come I cant see the pic's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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