Certainly Swiss: Certina Gets You on the Swatch Group Ladder
The only thing “entry level” about the DS Action Diver is its price. It is very difficult to find a premium automatic dive watch with the coveted magic words “Swiss Made” on the dial for $1,000 USD.
The milling of the case, the high polish on the crown, and the smoothly reassuring action of the dive-time bezel are all indicative of a high-end Swiss dive watch. These finer details are what one expects of a watch that belongs to the Swatch Group.
Sibling Swatch Group brands like Tissot, Hamilton, and Mido all have offerings at similar price points, but you should not overlook Certina’s DS line, especially considering its rich horological history.
Certina’s History Includes a Rumble with the Greatest
Though Certina was originally founded in 1888 by the Kurth brothers as a factory that made movements and other watch supplies, it was not until 1959 that Certina launched its first line of DS or “Double Security” watches that truly put the brand on the international map.
In 1960, a team of explorers kitted out with DS watches successfully climbed Dhaulagiri—the seventh highest mountain in the world at 26,794 feet (8,167 m). This epic feat proved the watch’s capabilities.
Over time the DS line built a reputation for its toughness and ability to accurately tell time in extremely harsh conditions. The US Navy Seals used these watches in their underwater maneuvers.
In 1976, Muhammad Ali—possibly the most sensational athlete who ever lived—was named a brand ambassador and wore a DS Diamaster. If the DS can withstand a punch from The Greatest, it can certainly handle anything a diver can throw its way.
ISO Diver’s 300 m Rating Gives Extra Confidence
Those of you who already love dive watches have probably heard the term “ISO” used when referring to water resistance. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a Swiss organization that determines standards and best practices for a whole host of things, including their series of water-resistance tests for watches.
The fact that the DS Action Diver is ISO rated to 300 m (985 feet) means that each and every one of these watches has been tested in water at a pressure equivalent to 125% of the rated depth. So you can rest easy knowing that the watch can handle all water activities from snorkeling to deep diving.
Water resistance in general is a big part of Certina’s brand identity. All of their watches, including their dress watches, are rated to a minimum of 100 m (328 feet).
A True Desk Diver
The DS Action Diver will look as good with a tuxedo as it does over a wetsuit. It has that James Bond versatility thanks to its conservative and straightforward aesthetic that is in keeping with Holy Grail Swiss divers like the Rolex Submariner and Omega Seamaster. For instance, the Certina’s hour indices and lollipop seconds hand echo the Sub, while the font on the bezel is a clear reference to recent iterations of the Seamaster 300.
As a slight criticism of the DS Action Diver, it does come across as a generic Swiss dive watch at times, at least visually speaking—its technical specs are remarkable. If you are looking for dive watches with more unique design features at this price or less, consider models by Japanese brands Seiko, Citizen, and Orient.
These Japanese manufacturers also tend to narrowly beat the best of the Swiss when it comes to how well their lume glows in the dark. While Certina’s Super-Luminova is legible at night, it doesn’t pop as much as many Japanese dive watches.
That said, the DS Action Diver offers the top-notch timekeeping quality associated with Switzerland. Certina’s ETA movement is fine-tuned in-house with their proprietary Nivachron balance spring that can handle shocks and magnetism. Furthermore, its beat rate has been slowed down by Certina, giving the mechanism an 80-hour power reserve.
Generally these watches run accurately out of the box, deviating only a few seconds a day, which is impressive for an automatic at this price.
Bracelet and Strap Alternatives
The stainless steel bracelet, though solidly constructed and featuring a sliding diver’s extension and two micro-adjust holes, is chunky and easy to replace with lighter and less sweaty strap alternatives, especially in the warm summer months.
In addition to the steel bracelet, the titanium offering comes on either a lightweight titanium bracelet that is more graphite-like in color than the steel, or a synthetic NATO strap.
The black bezel stainless steel offering also comes on a synthetic NATO strap rather than a bracelet, and makes for a more ‘tactical’ and militaristic look.
However, since the lug width is an awkward 21 mm, it will be more difficult to source strap alternatives for the DS Action Diver. Most straps come in standard 20 mm or 22 mm sizes.
A great personal joy of owning dive watches is taking them off their hefty metal bracelets and putting them on a lightweight strap or a leather strap to give the watch a dressier feel.
Straps are a great way to have fun with the watches you already own and, in the case of the DS Action DIver, you could use 20 mm or 22 mm straps, knowing that they’d fit a little loose or tight.
Price/Quality Ratio
The Certina DS Action Diver offers excellent value for money. At just under $1,000, you are getting a Swiss-made, fully automatic luxury dive watch, which is known for being tough as nails.
Furthermore, by owning a Certina, you would be on the Swatch Group ladder. Factored into the price is the prestige and heritage of the Certina brand’s story that features Himalayan expeditions and Muhammad Ali.
While many Japanese manufacturers can compete with Certina in terms of technical specs, this particular model features an in-house, fine-tuned movement that reportedly runs exceptionally accurately. Buy this watch and you’ll get an extremely capable, high-end Swiss timepiece without breaking the bank or joining a waitlist.
Do we recommend the Certina DS Action Diver?
Yes! If you’re looking for a traditional Swiss dive watch, then the Certina DS Action Diver is an outstanding prospect. You are getting an awful lot of watch for much less than what other Swiss brands demand.
If you purchase this Certina, you’ll be buying into the brand history and heritage of a company with its roots in the 19th century. The DS line in particular put Certina on the map internationally for its reliability and toughness in harsh conditions.
Though Japanese brands might offer dive watches with a similar build quality and spec list for the same price or less, there is a premium associated with having those magic words “Swiss Made” printed on the dial.
Specs & Features
| Case diameter | 41 mm |
|---|---|
| Lug-to-lug distance | 51 mm |
| Lug/strap width | 21 mm |
| Movement | automatic Swiss Powermatic 80 |
| Case material | 316L stainless steel |
| Strap/bracelet material | 316L stainless steel bracelet, titanium bracelet, or synthetic NATO strap |
| Crystal | sapphire with anti-reflective treatment |
| Bezel | ceramic, 120 click, unidirectional |
| Water resistance | ISO diver’s 300 m |
Take a moment to look at this.
