This new Certina release is either six years premature or four years too late but that doesn’t matter because it’s here, it’s happened, Certina has revived yet another exceptional diver’s model from their historic archives.
Certina has just dropped a cushion-shaped, chronographic bombshell (a depth charge perhaps) from 1960s, so let’s not be coy, it’s time to bust out a fresh box of Kleenex and do the necessary – I won’t judge!
This latest chronograph from the Swiss watchmaker, Certina has been designed to transition between worlds, the worlds of SCUBA diving and hot air ballooning!
Well, perhaps not the ballooning but certainly the diving, including desk-diving. While its design has been inspired by a model from the 1960s, its heart beats to the rhythm of a state-of-the-art automatic movement with a Silicon balance spring.
Its captivating, cushion-shaped case recalls so many models of its era while its chronograph functionality, water resistance up to 200m and unidirectional rotating diver’s bezel allude to its inherent aquatic sportiness.
The DS Chronograph Automatic 1968 carries on a legendary name: at the end of the 1960s the DS Argonaut (Argonaut Chrono 200m) caused a bit of a stir with its striking case and highly robust build quality.
Inspired by this model, the Certina has developed a worthy successor that will likely bring all the vintage Argonaut Chronograph enthusiasts out of the woodwork.
The DS Chronograph Automatic 1968 is presented in a cushion-shaped Stainless steel case (measuring 43.5 mm x 43.5 mm) with either a classic brushed steel finish or a gloss, black PVD surface.
An old school domed Sapphire crystal on the front and (flat) back of the watch provide optimal clarity and legibility. But wait! Taking a leaf out Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms and Omega’s Seamaster 1200’s book is a Sapphire crystal bezel inlay.
A round sapphire ring, fitted with a black/white scale printed from beneath, lends visual depth to the unidirectional rotating bezel.
And thanks to their Super-LumiNova® coating, the sharply angled hands and indexes stand out clearly against the black dial even in the dark.
An elegant vintage style is only one of the many facets of the new DS Chronograph Automatic 1968.
Another is its sporty character, underscored, for example, by the 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and complemented by the central stop seconds and a sub-seconds counter at 9 o’clock.
The striking screw-down crown and water resistance up to 20 bar (200 m) contribute to enhanced robustness.
The matt black leather strap with white decorative stitching – easily exchanged thanks to the Certina quick-change system ¬– offers additional safety and comfort.
Along with the black version, a Stainless steel edition with orange accents on the dial and a black and white striped NATO strap made from recycled #tide ocean material® is also available.
Beating inside the watch is the A05.H31 automatic (self-winding) movement with a 60-hour power reserve.
It is equipped with a Silicon balance spring whose innovative material protects it against the everyday enemies of mechanical rate precision: magnetic fields, changes in temperature, and shocks have no effect on its steady reliability.
The new DS Chronograph Automatic is available from July 2022 from authorized Certina dealers worldwide. It has a Swiss MSRP of CHF 1,930 or CHF 1,970 for the PVD.
Thoughts? I’m not sure why Certina decided to put their foot forward with the PVD variant because there can only be one choice for the purists, and that’s the one with the orange indexes and beautifully brushed finishing on the case top which Certina for some reason put backstage.
The PVD is okay, perhaps it might work better on green NATO after it’s been battered around a bit but the steel version is on point. Btw where’s the mesh bracelet option for this watch, where’s the rubber?
The recycled NATO’s nice and all but come on let’s keep it on topic with some more appropriate strap options, please.
Nevertheless, Certina yet again demonstrate that they are one of the brands to watch out for in the diver’s segment!
If they (Certina) continue on their current trajectory, then we’re a mere hop, skip and a jump away from the DS-3 Super Ph1000m, and that will be very exciting! But what do you think? Are Certina grabbing your attention?
Nice looking watch.
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