Certina DS: Sporty, Elegant, and Robust
Certina's DS collection of high-quality, reasonably priced watches is an ideal introduction to the world of Swiss watches. Top-of-the-line models are made of titanium or offer a particularly high water resistance of 1,000 meters (3,281 ft).
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Better Safe Than Sorry Since 1959
The name of the Certina watch brand is derived from the Latin word "certa," which means "safe." Although the company was founded in 1888, the current brand name has only been in use since 1939. Twenty years later, in 1959, Certina developed the DS concept; the two letters stand for "Double Security."
Today, each one of Certina's twelve collections bears the letters "DS" in its name. The brand's most popular models are the watches in the Certina DS Action line, which is home to a variety of sporty, elegant timepieces and diving watches with quartz or automatic movements. The DS Podium collection features sporty models with an emphasis on quartz watches.
If you like diving watches with a retro look, then the DS PH collection may be for you. The DS PH line offers self-winding timepieces with a design that echoes that of Certina models from the 1960s. The top model in this collection is the Certina DS Super PH1000M, which is water-resistant up to 1,000 m (100 bar, 3,281 ft).
Most references are made of stainless steel, but there are also variants in the collection with titanium cases. The manufacturer also offers select models with gold or ceramic bezels.
Certina sources the calibers for its watches from the Swiss movement manufacturer ETA. Like Certina itself, this company is part of the Swatch Group, which means that the calibers can be purchased at favorable prices, which is ultimately reflected in the price of the watches.
Reasons to Buy a Certina DS
- A traditional Swiss brand since 1888
- Outstanding value for money
- Large collection and variety of models
- Attractive diving watches, including retro designs
- Top models water-resistant to 1,000 m (100 bar, 3,281 ft)
Certina DS: Prices at a Glance
| DS model, reference | Price (approx.) | Caliber, size |
| Action Diver Chronograph, C013.427.11.051.00 | 1,360 USD | Automatic, 45 mm |
| Action Diver, C032.607.48.051.00 | 980 USD | Automatic, 43 mm |
| Super PH500M, C037.407.18.050.00 | 780 USD | Automatic, 43 mm |
| Podium Chronograph, C001.427.11.057.00 | 760 USD | Automatic, 42 mm |
| Action Diver, C013.407.11.051.00 | 610 USD | Automatic, 43 mm |
| Caimano, C017.207.16.037.00 | 470 USD | Automatic, 27 mm |
| Podium GMT, C034.455.16.087.01 | 270 USD | Quartz, 41 mm |
How much does a Certina DS cost?
You can buy a Certina DS in mint condition on Chrono24 for around 250 USD. This level of investment will get you a quartz-powered Certina DS Caimano, for example. Diving watches from the DS Action collection, however, demand an investment of over 500 USD. One example is ref. C013.407.11.051.00, which changes hands for roughly 600 USD in mint condition. A diving watch from the DS PH500 retro collection will set you back around 780 USD, while you can expect to pay approximately 1,360 USD for the model water-resistant to 1,000 m (100 bar, 3,281 ft).
The most expensive Certina timepieces can be found on Chrono24 by searching for vintage models, for which prices occasionally exceed 6,000 USD. A rare DS diving watch from the 1960s is just one example of these pricier variants.
FAQs
What does "DS" mean?
"DS" stands for "Double Security," which guarantees a particularly high level of reliability and durability, as well as the "Swiss Made" seal of quality on all the company's timepieces.
When did Certina launch the first DS model?
The DS concept was born in 1959, and the first DS watches appeared shortly thereafter.