CERTINA DS Action Diver 38mm

Cast your mind back a decade or so ago, watches were much bigger than they are today, some would even argue that they were starting to get almost comical with their dimensions. 

 I myself was guilty of wearing a dinner plate or too on my wrist, so it was inevitable that there was going to be some sort of backlash against the big watch trend. 

Like it or not, fact is, wristwatches are getting smaller – well at least there appears to be a growing trend in the world of vintage reissues and retro inspired diver’s, those that are looking to offer a more authentic and faithful representation of what that watch was like to wear back in the day.

Now the trend for sub 40mm watches has become more mainstream, here’s just one response to the growing demand for these smaller watches – the new DS Action Diver 38mm from Certina. 

The DS Action Diver is one of Certina’s most popular models thanks to its classic style – toady it is mounted in a comfortable 38mm diameter case; 

however don’t let its modest stature fool you, this is still a very competent little diver which remains fully compliant with the demanding ISO 6425 standards for a diver’s watch.

It also comes with Certina’s Powermatic automatic mechanical movement which is equipped with an anti-magnetic NivachronTM balance spring – for maximum precision and resistance. 

Meanwhile its black lacquered dial sets off gold-coloured, SuperLumiNova-coated hour markers and hands, which guarantee clarity in the dark as well. 

They are framed by a unidirectional rotating bezel in emerald green aluminum with a gold-colored dive time scale and luminous marking.

A bi-colour Stainless steel bracelet with gold-coloured PVD links and a closure with diver’s extension round off this model. 

Beating in the heart of the 38mm diameter DS Action Diver is a state-of-the-art Powermatic movement with a power reserve up to 80 hours, now also fitted with a NivachronTM balance spring. 

This innovative material is immune to the influence of magnetic fields – which is a key advantage in everyday use, just as it is when diving, where the precision and reliability of the time display is of critical importance.

The complex mechanism is protected by a case that is water-resistant to a depth of 300 meters. 

This is made possible by the proven qualities of the Double Security (DS) concept together with a screw-down case-back and a screw-down and protected crown. 

MSRP in Switzerland for the two bi-color variants is 795CHF while the all steel variants come in at 755CHF.

Thoughts? It makes sense to offer a 38mm model in your collection these days, at least one that can sit alongside a larger sibling. 

If you still like big watches, there are still plenty of brands that continue you to offer larger models although realistically you won’t find much over 46mm.

However Panerai for instance still believe that their diver’s watches should have a more instrument–like quality so they for one still make larger diver's watches if you like em’ big. What do you think?

What size watch do you prefer? I found my sweet spot at 42mm but sometimes go up to 46mm or down to 40mm. I have a 38mm incoming; it’ll be interesting to see how it wears.