The arid heat of the Middle East serves as the backdrop for one of the most significant gatherings in the modern horological calendar, a venue where the industry's heavyweights and independent artisans alike converge to celebrate mechanical craftsmanship. Dubai Watch Week has evolved from a regional event into a global touchstone for collectors, and it is within this atmosphere of appreciation and exclusivity that Doxa has chosen to unveil a timepiece that radically alters the perception of their historic catalog. The release of the SUB 300 Beta Ceramic Dubai Watch Week 2025 edition marks a distinct departure from the utilitarian, stainless steel heritage of the brand, embracing exotic materials and a color palette that feels entirely appropriate for the high-contrast, high-luxury setting of Dubai. This is not merely a new coat of paint on an old favorite but a structural reimagining of a diver that has served professionals for over half a century.
Collaborations in the watch industry can often feel superficial, a simple logo swap or a color change, but the relationship between Doxa and Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons appears to be built on a more substantial foundation of shared enthusiasm for the history of timekeeping. Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons is a retailer that practically defines the luxury watch market in the region, and their influence allows for the creation of extremely niche, limited-run projects that larger global rollouts could never sustain. This partnership has birthed a model limited to a mere eleven pieces worldwide, a number so low it virtually guarantees that sighting one in the wild will be a rarity reserved for the most inner circles of the collecting community. This exclusivity speaks to the serious nature of the release; it is a dedicated offering to the connoisseurs who frequent the Seddiqi boutiques, offering them something that cannot be found in the windows of retailers in Geneva, New York, or Tokyo.
Courtesy of DOXA
To fully appreciate the deviation this ceramic model represents, one must first revisit the bedrock upon which the SUB 300 stands. The year 1967 was a watershed moment for recreational and professional diving, and Doxa was at the forefront of this aquatic exploration boom. The original SUB 300 was not designed as a piece of jewelry or a status symbol; it was a purpose-built instrument intended to keep divers alive in hostile environments. It brought professional-grade water resistance to the general public, democratizing a level of capability that was previously the domain of military frogmen or commercial salvage divers. The watch was a tool in the purest sense, prioritizing legibility and function over aesthetic concerns, which ironically led to the creation of one of the most aesthetically distinct designs of the twentieth century.
The most critical innovation of that 1967 launch was the bezel, a feature that remains the defining characteristic of the SUB 300 Beta Ceramic today. Prior to Doxa’s intervention, diving bezels were simple timers, allowing a user to track minutes underwater. Doxa’s engineers, inspired by the US Navy’s no-decompression dive tables, integrated a dual scale into the bezel insert. The outer ring indicated depth, while the inner ring tracked time, allowing a diver to calculate their safety limits on the fly without needing to consult a paper table or a wrist slate. It was a mechanical computer for the wrist, a patented solution that saved lives and cemented the brand's reputation. This history is preserved in the modern ceramic iteration, though the materials have shifted from the practical steel of the sixties to the scratch-resistant technical ceramics of the modern era.
The visual profile of the new Dubai Watch Week 2025 edition is dominated by the use of matte black ceramic, a material that gives the watch a stealthy, architectural quality. Unlike stainless steel, which reflects the world around it, this matte ceramic absorbs light, focusing the viewer’s attention entirely on the silhouette and the dial. The case measures 42.5 millimeters in diameter, a size that commands presence without overwhelming the wrist, largely due to the cushion shape that has always made the SUB 300 wear smaller than its dimensions suggest. The choice of ceramic is particularly apt for a watch destined for warm climates and active lifestyles; it is impervious to the scratches that plague steel watches and remains cool to the touch, offering a tactile experience that feels distinctly modern and high-tech.
Courtesy of DOXA
Nestled within this darkened, light-absorbing chassis is a dial that explodes with color. The brand has selected a "cherry red" hue for the face of the watch, applied with a sunburst finish that radiates from the center. This is not a flat, static red; the sunburst texture catches ambient light, causing the dial to shift from a deep, brooding crimson in low light to a vibrant, metallic ruby under direct illumination. This dynamic interplay between the lively dial and the stoic, matte case creates a visual tension that is incredibly compelling. It transforms the watch from a pure tool into an object of design, balancing aggression with sophistication. The indices and hands are black, matching the case, but are filled with stark white Super-LumiNova, ensuring that despite the dark color scheme, the primary function of telling time remains uncompromised.
The bezel execution on this model deserves specific attention for how it handles the legendary dual-scale information. On traditional Doxa divers, the bezel markings are filled with paint—typically orange or black—to ensure maximum contrast. Here, the approach is far more subtle and refined. The ceramic bezel features the depth and time indications engraved directly into the material, filled with a tone-on-tone cherry red that matches the dial. This results in a "phantom" effect where the numbers are visible but do not shout, maintaining the sleek, monochromatic look of the exterior while still providing the necessary information to the wearer. A solitary white luminescent pip at the 12 o'clock position acts as the orientation point, a necessary beacon for low-light visibility that adheres to diving watch standards.
Doxa has utilized the "Beta" designation to signal a shift in the physical proportions of the watch, aiming for a profile that slides more easily under a shirt cuff than its purely aquatic predecessors. The case height has been reduced to 11.95 millimeters, a significant slimming down that changes the center of gravity and makes the watch sit closer to the wrist. This reduction is achieved without sacrificing the structural integrity required for deep diving. The movement is protected by an internal pressure-resistant titanium container, a "watch within a watch" solution that provides the mechanical heart with the shielding it needs while allowing the exterior ceramic shell to handle the aesthetics and scratch resistance. This combination of ceramic and titanium is a marriage of two of the most desirable materials in modern watchmaking, prioritizing lightweight comfort and durability.
The winding crown, also crafted from matte black ceramic, screws down securely to the case, ensuring the 300-meter water resistance rating is upheld. It features the brand's fish symbol, a nod to its maritime heritage, painted in the same cherry red as the dial. This small detail demonstrates a commitment to color coordination that extends across every component of the watch. Even the minute track on the outer edge of the dial is painted in cherry red, creating a seamless visual transition from the dial to the bezel. The coherence of the design suggests that every element was considered in relation to the whole, rather than simply assembling parts from a bin.
Courtesy of DOXA
Underneath the titanium caseback beats a Swiss-made automatic mechanical movement. While the brand often utilizes robust third-party calibers, the key takeaway here is the COSC certification. This Chronometer rating guarantees that the movement has been tested in various positions and temperatures to ensure high accuracy, operating within a tight tolerance of -4 to +6 seconds per day. For a watch that leans heavily into its aesthetic prowess, the inclusion of a certified chronometer movement is a reminder that Doxa has not abandoned its commitment to precision. The movement beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a power reserve of approximately 38 hours, sufficient for daily wear or a day off the wrist without needing a reset.
The strap choice is critical for a watch that straddles the line between sport and style, and Doxa has outfitted this model with a high-quality FKM rubber strap. FKM, or fluoroelastomer, is superior to standard silicone or natural rubber in terms of durability, resistance to UV rays, and resistance to chemicals. It attracts less dust and lint, keeping the matte black look pristine. The strap is integrated into the case, flowing directly from the lugs to hug the wrist, and is secured by a black PVD-coated deployant clasp. This clasp includes a ratcheting wetsuit extension, a functional holdover from the professional diving world that allows the wearer to expand the strap instantly to fit over a thick neoprene sleeve—or perhaps more realistically for this specific model, to adjust for wrist swelling in the Dubai heat.
For those who prefer a different look or material, the presentation box includes an additional grey NATO strap. This fabric option changes the character of the watch entirely, giving it a more military, field-ready appearance. The grey tone complements the black ceramic and red dial without competing for attention, offering a muted alternative to the sleeker rubber setup. The inclusion of a second strap adds value and versatility, acknowledging that collectors often enjoy swapping straps to suit their attire or activity level. It reinforces the idea that while this is a luxury object, it is still built to be worn and used in a variety of environments.
The concept of the "Beta" line is Doxa’s answer to the modern collector who respects the history of the brand but lives a life that is primarily terrestrial. The classic SUB 300T, with its tall bezel and heavy steel bracelet, can sometimes feel like a piece of vintage scuba gear strapped to the wrist. The Beta retains the iconic cushion case shape and the distinct dial layout but refines the edges, lowers the profile, and employs materials that feel more at home in an urban setting. It is a recognition that a dive watch in 2025 is a lifestyle companion as much as it is a tool, needing to transition from a morning swim to a boardroom meeting and finally to an evening gala without looking out of place in any of those scenarios.
Courtesy of DOXA
The rarity of this piece cannot be overstated. With a production run of only eleven units, it is one of the most limited releases in Doxa's recent history. This scarcity creates an instant desirability among those who specialize in collecting the brand. It transforms the watch from a product into a trophy, a memento of the specific time and place of Dubai Watch Week 2025. It is likely that these eleven pieces were allocated long before the public announcement, snapped up by VIP clients of Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons who understand the significance of having such a unique variant of a legendary design.
Visually, the watch is a study in contrasts. A collector examining the piece would likely be drawn first to the way the cherry red dial seems to float within the void of the black case. The lack of reflective surfaces on the case means there is no glare to distract the eye, allowing the dial color to punch through with intensity. The white markers stand out like beacons, providing the high-contrast readability that is the hallmark of a good dive watch. Even the hands, often a point of contention in blacked-out watches, are legible here due to the generous application of luminous material. It is a design that manages to be dark and moody without becoming unreadable, a trap that many "stealth" watches fall into.
The text on the dial remains faithful to the heritage, with the offset Doxa logo and the model designation "SUB 300ß" positioned in the traditional quadrants. The simplicity of the dial text prevents the watch from looking cluttered, preserving the open expanse of that striking red sunburst finish. The date window is discreet, offering functionality without disrupting the symmetry of the indices too severely. It is a balanced composition that respects the geometry of the 1967 original while updating the execution for a contemporary audience that favors cleaner, sharper lines.
The sapphire crystal is flat and treated with an anti-reflective coating, a necessary feature to ensure that the dial can be admired from acute angles without distortion. The flatness of the crystal mirrors the flat profile of the bezel, creating a seamless plane across the top of the watch. This is a divergence from the domed acrylic crystals of the vintage era or the box-sapphires of the retro-reissues, further emphasizing that the Beta is a modern evolution rather than a nostalgia trip. It feels architectural and precise, a machine made for the 21st century.
Courtesy of DOXA
Technical prowess aside, the emotional appeal of the SUB 300 Beta Ceramic lies in its ability to be different. In a sea of stainless steel dive watches with black or blue dials, a matte black ceramic watch with a cherry red face is an act of rebellion. It signals confidence on the part of the wearer, a willingness to step outside the safe norms of traditional horology. It aligns perfectly with the ethos of Dubai Watch Week, a venue that champions the bold and the new. Doxa has successfully taken a sixty-year-old design and made it feel urgent and fresh, proving that good design is adaptable and that even the most utilitarian objects can be elevated to the realm of art through the thoughtful application of color and material.
The pricing for the DOXA SUB 300 Beta Ceramic ‘Dubai Watch Week 2025’ is set at CHF 4,200.00. While this places it at a higher price point than the standard steel models, the cost reflects the technical difficulty of manufacturing the ceramic case, the titanium internal construction, the COSC-certified movement, and the extreme limitation of the production numbers. For the eleven fortunate individuals who manage to secure one, availability is strictly limited to the Ahmed Seddiqi boutiques. This geographical exclusivity ensures that the watch will remain a special secret shared between the brand, the retailer, and a handful of dedicated enthusiasts, cementing its status as a future grail for Doxa collectors worldwide.
Case: Matte black ceramic case measuring 42.50 mm x 44.50 mm with a height of 11.95 mm. Features a flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, a titanium inner case and screw-in caseback, and a matte black ceramic screw-down crown. Water resistant to 300 meters (30 ATM). Unidirectional rotating matte black ceramic bezel with depth in feet and dive time in minutes in tone-on-tone cherry red.
Movement: Swiss-made automatic mechanical movement, COSC certified. Three hands with hacking seconds, operating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz). Offers a power reserve of approximately 38 hours and features decorations by DOXA.
Dial: Cherry red with a sunburst finish. Black hands and indexes highlighted with white Super-LumiNova®. Outer minute track painted cherry red.
Strap: Black FKM rubber strap matching the matte black case with a lug width of 20 mm. Secured by a black PVD-coated deployant clasp with wetsuit extension featuring the DOXA fish symbol. Includes an additional grey NATO strap.
Price: CHF 4,200.00
Notes: Limited edition of only 11 pieces produced exclusively for Dubai Watch Week 2025. Available only at Ahmed Seddiqi boutiques. Features a unique "Beta" profile that is slimmer and more urban-focused than the standard SUB 300T.