Are you familiar with the Certina brand?
Certina traces its origins back to 1888, when brothers Adolf and Alfred Kurth founded a small workshop in Granges (Grenchen), Switzerland, producing watch movements and components next to their family home. The company gradually grew and initially did not produce complete watches, instead supplying movements to other brands before launching its own timepieces a few years later.
The name Certina officially appeared in 1938, derived from the Latin word certus, meaning “reliable” or “certain,” reflecting the dependability the brand aimed to embody. As early as the 1940s, with models such as the Certina Labora—designed for workers and active individuals—the brand affirmed its mission: to create robust and precise watches suited for intensive daily use.
A Swiss history between tradition and sportiness
Throughout the 20th century, Certina played a role in the rise of industrial Swiss watchmaking by developing its own calibers and expanding internationally. The brand quickly gained recognition for the reliability of its watches, appealing to both professionals and sports and adventure enthusiasts.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Certina pushed the concept of durability even further with the creation of the DS Concept, which would become its true DNA. The brand subjected its watches to extreme testing—high-altitude expeditions, deep-sea dives, and harsh climates—to prove their resilience. This image of reliability remains central to Certina’s identity today, particularly in motorsports and outdoor disciplines.
The DS Concept: Double Security on the wrist
One of Certina’s major innovations is the DS Concept (Double Security), first introduced in 1959. The goal was clear: to design a wristwatch as robust as possible through reinforced construction and enhanced protection of the movement.
Technically, the original DS Concept relied on several key elements:
A “floating” movement mounted within an elastic shock-absorbing ring, in addition to a standard shock protection system.
A gap between the dial and the case allowing slight movement during impacts without damage.
A thick crystal (plexiglass at the time) and reinforced case back, combined with additional gaskets for improved water resistance and protection.
The result: the first Certina DS could withstand drops from several meters and offered water resistance up to 200 meters—remarkable performance for its time. The DS Concept proved so effective that it became a defining feature of the brand, still present in most modern Certina watches in an updated form.
Certina and sports watches: DS Action, DS Podium and diving
Staying true to its philosophy of robustness, Certina quickly developed collections focused on sports and outdoor activities. Among the most well-known are the DS Action and DS Podium lines, featuring diving watches, chronographs, and GMT models with stainless steel cases and often high water resistance.
The DS Action Diver watches, for example, stand out with water resistance up to 300 meters, unidirectional bezels, sapphire crystals, and durable steel or rubber straps. Certina highlights compliance with diving standards (such as ISO 6425 on certain models) and the DS Concept to reassure users of their reliability in extreme conditions.
The DS Podium chronographs, meanwhile, combine sporty aesthetics with useful complications, including short time measurement functions, tachymeters, and highly legible dials—all housed in versatile cases suitable for both daily wear and sporting activities.
Powermatic 80: modern Certina movements
As part of the Swatch Group, Certina now benefits from modern movements, including the renowned Powermatic 80—an automatic caliber offering up to 80 hours of power reserve. This movement equips many recent models, such as the DS Powermatic 80 and DS-2 Powermatic 80, combining classic or vintage-inspired design with cutting-edge technology.
The Powermatic 80 stands out for:
An extended power reserve of approximately 80 hours, compared to the 40–50 hours of many standard calibers.
The use, in some models, of a Nivachron balance spring, offering improved resistance to magnetic fields commonly found in modern environments.
An optimized architecture for precision and reliability, sometimes visible through a transparent case back.
Combined with the DS Concept, this movement makes Certina automatic watches highly practical everyday companions, capable of keeping accurate time even after a full weekend off the wrist.
Finishes and materials: Swiss attention to detail
Certina watches are positioned in an accessible segment of Swiss watchmaking while offering refined finishes and high-quality materials. The brand emphasizes the use of sapphire crystals, known for their excellent scratch resistance, along with stainless steel cases, sometimes enhanced with PVD coatings or gold elements on certain models.
Depending on the collection, you will find:
Bracelets in steel, leather, rubber, or synthetic materials suited for sports use.
Carefully crafted dials with applied indices, Super-LumiNova for nighttime readability, and textures or colors inspired by the worlds of sport and the sea.
Screw-down crowns and engraved case backs, often featuring the turtle symbol—a nod to the robustness and endurance of the brand’s watches.
Why choose a Certina watch?
Choosing Certina means opting for a Swiss Made watch that prioritizes durability, reliability, and functionality without compromising on design or comfort. Thanks to the DS Concept, Certina watches are built to withstand the challenges of daily life and sports activities, while remaining elegant enough for both office wear and weekends.
Collections powered by Powermatic 80 automatic calibers offer excellent value for money, particularly for enthusiasts looking to enter the world of Swiss watchmaking with a durable, precise, and technically advanced timepiece. Finally, the diversity of the range—from DS Action for diving, DS Podium for sports, DS-2 for neo-vintage style, to more classic models—ensures that every watch lover can find a Certina that suits their style and needs.
Discover Certina Watches at Emile Léon in Paris
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