ReviewDown-Sized Diver: Introducing The Doxa Sub 200 C-Graph II

Since the 1960s, Swiss watchmaking brand Doxa have been known for their robust and reliable dive watches, and the brand have made it their mission to create purpose-designed equipment for those who want to undertake underwater adventures. Continuing their mission, the brand released the Sub 200 C-Graph II, their 200m dive watch with a chronograph, and the second generation of the brand’s 2020 release, the Sub 200 C-Graph. Checking all the boxes that its older sibling missed, the 2023 diving chronograph now comes in a smaller diameter of 42mm and a thinner case height of 15.85mm, with a beautiful sunray-finished dial in Doxa’s most easily identifiable hues.

Taking The Plunge With Doxa

Doxa (which means ‘glory’ in Greek) was set up by Georges Ducommun in 1889, and soon gained a reputation for quality, craftsmanship, precision and value. The brand really came into its own in 1967, with the release of their Sub 300—the first of their purpose-driven watches that are rather accessible. The release of their 600m and 1,200m dive watches only helped cement their reputation. Despite the quartz crisis and subsequent change in ownership, the 134-year-old brand continue to innovate with their underwater watches. Instantly identifiable by their ‘egg-shaped’ ‘cushioned’ cases, Doxa’s timepieces have set the benchmark for professional and military diver’s watches.

The Case Of The Second-Generation C-Graph

Doxa’s Sub 200 timepiece, first released in 2019, was different from their other Subs, in that it had a slimmer, rounder profile, and the Sub 200 C-Graph, released the year after, echoed this round case. However, this chronograph was sized at 45mm, with a lug-to-lug measurement of 49mm, and a thickness of 17.25mm. It was a polarising size by most standards, despite the welcome new case shape. Still, considering the mechanical chronograph function of the watch, the Sub 200 C-Graph was a success.

Addressing this case (no pun intended), the Sub C-Graph II is presented in a 42mm case, measuring 46mm from lug to lug. The thickness of the case has also been reduced significantly to 15.85mm, despite the domed sapphire crystal glass shielding the dial. Made from the highest quality 316L stainless steel, the second generation of the Sub C-Graph houses an automatic mechanical movement with a chronograph function within, and offers a 56-hour power reserve and water resistance of up to 200m. The screwed-down crown features the Doxa fish emblem in the colour of the dial.

The stainless steel unidirectional-rotating bezel differs from the older C-Graph in its saw- or shark-toothed edging, making it easier to handle, especially while wearing diving gloves

Signature Colours, New Finish Of The Sub 200 C-Graph II 

Another new feature that sets the Sub 200 C-Graph II apart is the sunray finishing on the dial which offers a gleaming effect. This enhances the visual of the dial—particularly useful as a characteristic of a dive watch. The timepiece is offered in the collection’s six colours—‘Professional’ orange, ‘DivingStar’ yellow, ‘SharkHunter’ black, ‘Caribbean’ blue, ‘Aquamarine’ turquoise, and ‘WhitePearl’ silver. Its tri-compax layout features three recorders—the 60-second and 30-minute counters at nine and three, and a 12-hour counter at six o’clock. With Super-LumiNova-filled baton-shaped indexes and hands, legibility, even in dim lighting conditions, is clear.

The Sub C-Graph II's tri-compax layout features three recorders—the 60-second and 30-minute counters at nine and three, and a 12-hour counter at six o’clock

The sunray finishing on the dial offers a gleaming effect, enhancing the visual of the dial—particularly useful as a characteristic of a dive watch

The stainless steel unidirectional-rotating bezel, a dive watch staple, differs from the older C-Graph in its saw- or shark-toothed edging, making it easier to handle, especially while wearing diving gloves.

All variants of the Sub 200 C-Graph II have a lume-filled 12 o’clock marker on the bezel, while the Caribbean navy and SharkHunter black models have Super-LumiNova coating on all markers on the bezel. Only the WhitePearl silver model with a ceramic insert on the bezel has no lume.

The ‘Aquamarine’ turquoise dial of the Doxa Sub 200 C-Graph II

₹2,96,000

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The ‘DivingStar’ yellow dial with a matching rubber strap, and the Doxa fish logo on the crown in the colour of the dial

₹2,92,000

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Doxa's ‘Caribbean’ blue sunray-brushed dial option mounted on an integrated stainless steel bracelet

₹3,06,000

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The blue dial version with a rubber strap in the colour of the dial

₹3,02,000

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Doxa's iconic diving orange dial with a matching orange strap, and an orange fish on the crown

₹2,92,000

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The ‘SharkHunter’ black watch mounted on Doxa's integrated 'beads of rice' stainless steel bracelet

₹3,06,000

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The WhitePearl silver model with a ceramic insert on the bezel

₹2,92,000

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The integrated stainless steel ‘beads of rice’ bracelet that has come to be identified as a Doxa staple, features the brand’s folding clasp with a wetsuit extension and the Doxa fish logo embossed on it. Should one want something other than this steel bracelet, one can choose from supple rubber FKM straps in colours that match the dial.

These Sub 200 C-Graph II timepieces are definitely a handy piece of equipment to have underwater, but even on land they’d be extremely useful tools, partly because of the chronograph function of the timepiece, but mostly because legibility is so clean. Then there’s that bright, attractive colour that prompts the wearer to seek adventure, whether in underwater caves or on land.