The long tale of the DoxPlof 🤿

So in my quest to survive with one watch (the Black Bay 36 in Blue) I had realized that I needed a watch for when it was going in for service soon. Also a backup (let's be honest: a second watch) would be cheaper and more durable so I could use it in more "extreme" situations and it would do good for my peace of mind overall. So I landed on the Seiko Prospex Solar 38mm in grey (my wife has it in brown).

Very few QC-issues with these models, durable movement, perfect size and very versatile and a fair price if on sale or second hand. And that's where the trouble started!!

I checked daily for both sales and second hand watches but the grey model wasn't to be had. Even though I probably checked 100 times some days. But I had decided that I wasn't in a rush, so I should wait. No sweat. And the days past... Have I mentioned that I'm really bad at waiting! I think I was about to loose it before a week had passed.

But I waited!! But what to do between the hundreds of meaningless checks to see if the deal was at hand? I start looking for other options. The SKX013 for example, I found several at fair prices but kept backing out of deals last minute. Because I had a plan. A good, reasonable and solid plan.

The weeks past... No deals to be had.... Should I just buy it at full price and be done with it? I already had bought a nice sharkmesh and some quality natos for the watch. No, the plan is solid!! No rush.

Ok. I'll wait! No problemo 👍 But I can look around, just pass the time? Cool watches. Watches I probably would like. But I have a very reasonable plan!!

I checked a link on Instagram one evening after going to bed at work. Just checking how the Doxa prices are developing. Well... Not good 😅 But at the top of the page of the only Norwegian shop selling Doxa it said something like: "Been bought out. Call so and so to get a good deal, we are selling out our stock".

Wait!! What!?! The Doxa train hasn't sailed? My body actually went into shock.. Shaking... Cold... My mind turned into a blur!! Didn't sleep much that night. I wrote down prices, what models I wanted the most in order and negotiation tactics.

The "sale" had been on for almost two weeks. But this isn't a big shop and Doxa isn't very mainstream! They must have some of the models I wanted left?!? And at what price?

I called early next morning. Shaking... And the guy could tell me that he had quite a bit left! But no 300s except one Army, but not the one I wanted with the bronze bezel. And at pretty low discount...

My hopes were so high, but now crushed. I actually wanted to cry... But he told me that they had been squeezed out by a much bigger player and they and Doxa now got the benefit of much of the work he had been doing to market Doxa in Norway over the last few years. And his numbers where in the red when it came to Doxa now.

This brought up memories of Rick Marei (look it up). Memories I had burried deep so I could maybe one day own a Doxa without a bad taste in my mouth.

I felt a sudden dislike for (current) Doxa because of this. And the price hikes. I know that they follow the market, but weren't they supposed to be tool watches!!?

Anger and lust for the yellow SUB300 I probably would never get now!! I was manic.. I was surfing around looking at watches between my sets at the gym.

I revisited Rick Marei's Synchron shop. That's right they had released a yellow model of the orange Synchron Military. I knew this. I like yellow. I like Rick. I like a Doxa case. I hate Doxa at this point..

Ouhh!! I like the price too 👌 Well, shit. Sold out...

While doing research on the watch and trying to makes deals on Chrono24 I realized that one small Norwegian webshop had one in stock! YES!!!!!!

No, wait! Remember stupid? Good plan? Solid? Ahhh, yes... Me no stopid!

Well let's think it over. Ask my favorite enablers (my wife and my colleague). Yes, you guys are right! It is a very cool watch. And I do have to money from selling every watch except one + saving to service my BB36. Voices of reason 👍

I did think i over for a few days. Meanwhile no deal on planned Seiko. Oh well ☺

Placing my order pluss a extra yellow Tropic strap? Fast shipping it says 👌 Oh my god! Can't contain myself!

One week and several angry e-mail later I finally picked it up. Fast shipping my ass! I almost returned it out of spite because they made me wait. Did I mentioned I'm bad at that?

But here it is and I love it! I think this is the only watch I have ever owned that I actually could hold a full hour TED-talk about: the road to getting one, the drama surrounding it and the research I did while waiting 😅

To be continued....