94 Years, 94 Watches: DOXA Dives Deep With Clive Cussler Once More
5 min read
Twenty years after the film adaptation of Clive Cussler’s novel, Sahara hit the silver screen, DOXA celebrates the enduring connection between the legendary American novelist and its iconic dive watches. This latest release marks the third chapter in DOXA’s ongoing homage to Cussler, who would have celebrated his 94th birthday today. It was his swashbuckling tales of maritime adventure that propelled DOXA’s SUB series to global fame and solidified their status as tools of exploration. The new SUB 750T Clive Cussler Edition joins the continuing partnership rooted in shared values of courage, curiosity, and discovery.
A Bond Forged in Fiction and Adventure
Clive Cussler’s 94th birthday coincides with the 20th anniversary of Sahara’s release, where Matthew McConaughey brought the charismatic Dirk Pitt to life on screen with a DOXA SUB on his wrist. The unmistakable orange dial became a symbol not just of deep-sea exploration, but of larger-than-life adventure, immortalized in both literature and Hollywood.
Yet DOXA’s relationship with Cussler stretches far beyond one film cameo. It was decades in the making, tied to the novelist’s own love of the sea, shipwrecks, and the practical, rugged tools required to explore them. Founder of NUMA (the National Underwater and Marine Agency), shipwreck hunter, and prolific storyteller with over 85 books and 100 million copies sold, Cussler brought DOXA’s name to countless wrists through his work and his characters.
Following Raise the Titanic! (1980) and Sahara (2005), Cussler’s adventures on both page and screen are inseparable from DOXA’s dive watch heritage. And now, DOXA’s latest release draws inspiration directly from Sahara and Cussler’s lifelong contributions to the world of exploration.
A Slimmer Icon, Built for Modern Adventures
This latest tribute introduces a new evolution of the SUB 750T: slimmer, lighter, and more wearable than ever before. Retaining the collection’s professional-grade 45mm diameter, the case now measures under 12mm thick precisely 11.95mm, nearly 2mm thinner than the original 750T released two decades ago. The result is a dive watch that feels balanced, comfortable, and ready for action on any terrain, whether above or below the waves.
While technical improvements define this edition, signature elements remain proudly intact:
- Stainless Steel Case (45mm x 11.95mm): Refined proportions, built for comfort without compromising performance.
- Iconic Orange Dial: A hallmark since the 1960s and forever tied to Cussler’s adventurous spirit and his character Dirk Pitt.
- NUMA Logo at 7:30: A subtle tribute to Cussler’s real-world dedication to maritime exploration through NUMA.
- Date Window at 3 O’Clock: With numerals 7, 15, and 31 highlighted in orange for a playful yet meaningful detail.
- Super-LumiNova® Coating: Ensuring legibility in even the harshest underwater conditions.
This edition is more than a watch it’s a refined tool of exploration, blending robust engineering with symbolic design details that speak to DOXA’s roots and Cussler’s legacy.
A Limited Edition: 94 Timepieces for 94 Years
Strictly limited to just 94 numbered pieces, this edition honors what would have been Clive Cussler’s 94th birthday on July 15, 2025. It’s a tribute made all the more personal through DOXA’s close relationship with the Cussler family, particularly his son Dirk, who continues his father’s legacy as both author and explorer. This watch celebrates not only a literary legend but also the enduring spirit of discovery that has defined DOXA’s journey as an independent Swiss watchmaker.
At its heart beats a Swiss automatic mechanical movement, delivering precision with 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and a robust 56-hour power reserve. Practicality meets durability with a screw-down crown, 75 ATM (750 meters / 2,460 feet) water resistance, and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating. In true DOXA tradition, this is a dive watch engineered to thrive in extreme conditions yet versatile enough for daily wear.
A Compass Rose to Guide the Way
Turn the watch over, and you’ll find a beautifully engraved compass rose on the screw-in case back a symbol deeply intertwined with Clive Cussler’s world. More than a navigational tool, it represents the eternal call of the sea and the pursuit of the unknown.
Each direction holds symbolic meaning:
- North: Constancy and truth-seeking
- South: The allure of the unknown
- East: New beginnings and discoveries
- West: The fulfillment of quests and unveiling of mysteries
Continuing the Legacy with NUMA
In tribute to Clive Cussler’s lifelong dedication to maritime history, DOXA will donate a portion of proceeds from this special edition to NUMA, the agency he founded in 1979 to recover and protect historic shipwrecks.
Dirk Cussler captures the sentiment best: “Bold. Creative. Adventurous. That’s how my father approached life. Whether he was tracking down lost shipwrecks or crafting new adventure stories, he always followed a path that was uniquely his own. That spirit is perfectly captured in this DOXA timepiece that bears his name.
The relationship between DOXA and my father was always much more than a simple partnership. It was a shared human and family adventure — one that lives on today through his legacy and the work of NUMA. I am deeply grateful to DOXA for honoring his legacy with a watch that reflects his courage, originality, and passion for exploration.”
Jan Edöcs, CEO of DOXA, adds: “Clive Cussler’s novels, celebrated across the globe, offered a natural stage for DOXA watches — positioning them as an essential tool for his heroic character. The iconic SUB dive watch with its orange dial continues to inspire. As we celebrate what would have been Clive Cussler’s 94th birthday, we pay tribute to a man whose stories transported generations of readers, and whose vision continues to shape the spirit of our brand. We extend our heartfelt thanks to his family for the trust and friendship that have united us for decades.”
With this new SUB 750T Clive Cussler Edition, DOXA continues to write its story at the crossroads of adventure, fiction, and technical innovation a fitting homage to a man whose legacy remains as timeless as the oceans he loved.
Price: 2,690 CHF
