Certina is a prominent Swiss watch brand renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship, innovative technology, rich heritage, and commitment to sustainability.
Today, we are looking at the Certina brand as a whole, highlighting some of their most popular models and designs, its groundbreaking DS concept, and their ongoing commitment to eco-responsibility.
The History of Certina
Certina was founded in 1888, by brothers Adolf and Alfred Kurth. They set up their own watch production facility in the Swiss town of Grenchen, not far from Biel. Originally, the brand was named after Grenchen, as its Latin name is “Granacus”, so they chose a shorter version of the latin name and named the company “Grana”.
Then, in 1939, in an effort to make the brand name more international-friendly, the brand was renamed from Grana to Certina, which was inspired by the Latin word “Certus” that means “sure”.
Over the years, Certina has forged a strong association with sports, particularly motor racing and water sports, reflecting its commitment to durability and precision. Notable milestones include the introduction of the DS Concept in 1959, significantly enhancing the robustness and water resistance of its watches, marking Certina as a pioneer in watchmaking innovation.
Who Owns Certina?
In 1995, Certina became a part of the SMH group (later renamed as the Swatch Group).
During the quartz crisis of the 1970s, Certina joined the ASUAG organization, consisting of multiple Swiss watch companies. ASUAG later merged with another conglomerate, and this large holding company was SMH that was later renamed to the Swatch Group.
Certina’s Innovation: Double Security, “DS”
Certina’s design ethos is a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity. The brand is particularly known for its DS (Double Security) concept, a revolutionary feature introduced in 1959 that significantly enhances the durability and water resistance of its watches. This innovative approach to watchmaking ensures that Certina watches are incredibly resilient and capable of withstanding the most challenging conditions.
During the 1960s, Certina was still managed by the Kurth family, now the next generation of brothers, Hans and Edwin. During this decade, Certina’s focus was on watches built for sports and outdoor activities. To symbolize the watches’ robustness and longevity, they introduced the turtle logo, which has since become the brand’s most known feature.
Watch Movements and Precision
Certina started using the Powermatic 80 caliber for their automatic movements. The Powermatic 80 series of calibers were developed by ETA (also part of the Swatch Group), and this innovation meant 80 hours of power reserve for watches equipped with this automatic movement, which is especially useful for outdoor performance timepieces.
Certina watches go through rigorous testing and the watch movements are COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) certified.
Certina watches are equipped with either quartz or automatic movements. All movement options ensure you’ll have a high quality Swiss caliber accurately keeping time.
Eco-Responsibility: A Commitment to the Future
Certina’s dedication to sustainability is evident in its eco-responsibility initiatives. The brand actively contributes to conservation efforts and promotes environmental awareness, demonstrating a profound respect for our planet that transcends its watchmaking prowess.
Conclusion: Is Certina a Respected Brand?
Certina is typically categorized as a “mid-range luxury” brand rather than a high-end luxury brand in the traditional sense. Although not recognized as a luxury brand, we look at Certina as being part of the same category as well-known names such as Tissot and Longines, brands that are known for their quality and innovation but do not carry the high price tags often associated with top-tier luxury brands. This positioning is unique, as a wider range of watch enthusiasts can enjoy a sense of luxury without the burden of excessive spending.
Certina watches availability in the US used to be relatively limited, but during recent years, the brand started to focus on expansion and availability, and their popularity is increasing worldwide – and rightly so: Certina offers a blend of history, innovation, and style that is truly timeless and classic. Great quality from a history-rich brand at very reasonable prices.
Certina Watch Collections: Buyer’s Guide
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Certina DS
The DS collection is the flagship Certina collection. Certina has incorporated over 130 years of experience in Swiss watchmaking in a range of exceptional timepieces.
Specs:
- Ref#: C038.407.18.037.00
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: POWERMATIC 80.611
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Case Width: 41 mm
- Price: Under $1,000
Certina DS-1
The DS-1 embodies the timeless elegance of the Swiss watchmaking craft. This collection combines a clear design with sophisticated details, and is more on the elegant side. Usually these watches have a 40 or 41 mm case width, great for everyday wear as well as for more elegant occasions.
Specs:
- Ref #: C029.430.16.011.00
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: ETA2834-2
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Case Width: 40 mm
- Price: Under $1,000
DS Action
Certina’s dive watch collection, the DS Action range brings a new profundity to contemporary watchmaking and will be your companion when exploring underwater depths: these maritime timepieces for men and women score highly with their precision, extraordinary water resistance and dynamic design.
Specs:
- Ref #: C032.607.11.091.00
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: POWERMATIC 80.611
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Case Width: 43 mm
- Price: Around $1,000
Certina DS Podium
If you’re looking for a new go-to timepiece that can handle an active lifestyle, the DS Podium is a great choice. The DS Podium embodies the entirety of the Certina watch universe with its exceptional versatility. A very sporty collection with chronographs, and robust designs – an excellent choice when you’re looking for a watch for outdoor activities.
Specs:
- Ref #: C034.417.44.087.00
- Movement: Quartz
- Caliber: G10.212
- Case Width: 41 mm
- Price: Around $750
Certina DS PH
The watches in the DS PH collection have a rich heritage. The DS PH collection is for watch enthusiasts who are looking for a watch inspired by retro and vintage designs, at the same time combined with modern features. They are the legitimate successors of the extremely robust timepieces of the 1960s which attract attention through their maritime characteristics and sporty, elegant design.
Specs:
- Ref #: C036.407.16.040.00
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: POWERMATIC 80.611
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Case Width: 42.8 mm
- Price: Around $1,000
WRITTEN BY
Maté D
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