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Unimatic Modello Uno U1S-PD5 vs. DOXA Sub 300T

Unimatic Modello Uno U1S-PD5 vs. DOXA Sub 300T

03/19/2024
By : Fabian m
 

Here, we will review and score two different watches from two different micro watch brands: Unimatic Modello Uno U1S-PD5 and DOXA Sub 300T.

Specifications

Unimatic Modello Uno has a 41.5 mm case size and a 49 mm lug to lug measurement and a around 14 mm height. The Doxa has a 42.5 mm case size and a 44.5 mm lug to lug measurement, and its height is 13.65 mm. The Doxa has an impressive 1200 meter of water resistance and the Unimatic has 500 meters, which also is quite high.

Design

The Unimatic U1s-PD5 has a gray/black charcoal dial with printed indexes, and is limited to 500 pieces. The big news with this Unimatic diver watch, is its ceramic bezel with visible index markings that contain lume. What we know is that it’s the first Unimatic watch that has index markings on the bezel. The case is fully brushed, as is any other Unimatic watch, which gives the watch a utilitarian look. It comes with a plastic strap and a nato strap. Case in point: it's not your everyday diver watch!

The Doxa Sub 300T is as unique a watch as the Unimatic Modello Uno, but in a different way. Here we look at two versions of the Sub 300T; the Divingstar and the Searambler, one with a yellow matte dial and the other with a silver sun-ray dial. The case and the bezel have here a more complex combination of polished and brushed surfaces in comparison to the Unimatic, and therefore the Doxa will be a more visible watch on the wrist. The main thing, though, with the design of the Doxa Sub 300T is that the dial, in comparison to the unique design of the lugs, is quite small, but don't be fooled to think that this is a small watch. It's not, and we would not recommend this watch for smaller wrists, but if you have a normal or larger wrist, the Doxa can look awesome!

The straps you can choose from are beads of rice steel link or different rubber straps. The beads of the rice link are robust and of high quality, and they don't tapper down to the clasp, which has a diver extension module, which can come handy. It doesn’t have micro-extensions, though. All in all, the Doxa Sub 300T is a cool, unique watch that has a timeless but still vintage feel to it.

SCORE UNIMATIC: 12

SCORE DOXA: 11

Movement

Inside the Unimatic we find a Sellita SW200-1 which is a popular and robust movement with 38 hours of power reserve. The Doxa has a similar movement, the ETA 2824-2 which the Sellita is a clone of. Both movements are good and proven, but we do think they are a bit too standard, and therefore we will not score them as high, as some other movements.

SCORE UNIMATIC: 8

SCORE DOXA: 8

Wearability

The Unimatic Uno U1S-PD5 wears beautifully on a normal to slightly larger wrist, and even if you have a large wrist, it can look really stylish. As with any dive watches, both of these are, of course, chunky, but not more than another regular mechanical dive watch, in this size range. The Unimatic is quite true to its size, and wears like the latest version of a Rolex Submariner, or maybe a bit larger.

The Doxa looks and feels less stylish and more toolish which can be one of the major differences between these two watches. The Doxa stands out more on the wrist, because of its design, and it´s more reflective polished surfaces. If you have the right sporty style for it, and you prefer dive watch sizes, the Doxa can be your all-round watch, but we feel the unimatic will be easier to dress up and down. To wear this Doxa Sub 300T in a more dressed-up environment will be hard; it will always look sporty, and therefore we have to give the unimatic the edge in this category.

SCORE UNIMATIC: 12

SCORE DOXA: 11

Price And Value:

The price for the Unimatic Uno U1s-PD5 is 1500 euros with the rubber and nato strap. Because it´s a limited watch, it can have a higher value over time compared to the Doxa Sub 300T, although it's not guaranteed. The Doxa costs around 200 euros for the steel link, which you should choose if you get this model if you like steel bracelets. The reason is that the cost difference between the rubber version and the steel version is negligible.

You do get a lot for the money here: a quality Swiss diver with 1200 meters of water resistance that has a helium valve from a heritage brand. It´s a hard choice between these two models, and the difference will, in the end, come down to which model you prefer.

SCORE UNIMATIC: 11

SCORE DOXA: 12

X-Factor

The original Doxa Sub 300T was called the Doxa 300T Conquistador and came out in 1969. It was the first commercial dive watch that had a helium valve. Doxa played a big part in the history of the diving watch, and they have had many accomplishments over the years. The Doxa Sub 300T also had a big influence over creating what Doxa is today; a cult company.

Unimatic is on their own way of making a cult company, but they are not there yet. From a usability perspective, the index markings on the bezel in the U1S-PD5 Unimatic are good, but from a design perspective, especially from a minimalistic brand such as Unimatic, it does lose some of the x-factor that other Unimatic watches have. It looks a bit more like a regular dive watch from another watch brand.

SCORE UNIMATIC: 10

SCORE DOXA: 14

Summary And Results

So the final score is 53/100 for Unimatic and 57/100 for the winner, DOXA! It was close, but in the end, it was the heritage and x-factor that gave the Doxa.

 
Posted in: Reviews, Buying Guides

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