Great reveiew as usual, Dave. When I was a teen and in my 20s, Certina was a typical affordable and reliable classic work horse brand which meant that if you wore one out, you just went to the watch store and got another one. OTOH, that was in the 80s/90s, so we're talking quartz watches. Nowadays the automatic DS line seems to be were they're at.
Great topic! My favorites are those Seiko, Citizen, and Casio light-powered (any light source would do), at least 100 m water-resistant, exact to a second a day, radio-controlled, GPS-controlled, and Bluetooth watches with sapphire glasses. Most of them cost under or around $1000 and represent incredible value, IMHO. I think everyone needs to check them out.
I think it’s because Certina isn’t popular in the USA and most big watch RU-vid channels cater to this market. At least that’s how I rationalize it because they certainly make great watches. Also, it might have to do with the perceived “lack of history” compared to similarly priced brands like Seiko, Hamilton, tissot, etc
@@mariog7213 Yeah. Their marketing is really bad, because Certina's history is actually really interesting - especially in regards to sports pieces. And they release these crackin' re-issues (a chronograph design from 40's this year) and they get barely any coverage... Jeez... I mean, if you wanna sell something you have to tell people it exists!
@@anthonysmith2982 agreed. They should focus on selling their history and targeting markets like the USA but I guess swatch group knows what they’re doing better than I do
How is this even possible??? Your video composition improves every single time. Forget about the time piece! Watching your videos is quite an experience! 👌🏽
Bought a Certina DS Podium auto instead due to better lume, 6 'o clock date window, and its cheaper than DS-1. It is insane value for a sub $300 watch with a robust ETA2824-2 movement. Thanks for the video and recommendation, Dave!
@@hootonhoot Similar specs both watches, the case of this DS-1 is nicer, better details and the domed crystal is nicer too. The DS Podium ETA is kinda boring case and all polished. But I like the 38 size and shorter lug to lug.
Wonderful review, Dave. I have this exact model plus two other DS1s. Certina not being officially sold in the United States hurts their brand recognition on RU-vid but they’re a wonderful “sleeper” brand within the Swatch Group.
I really like this sytle of watch - dressy sports watch or sporty dress watch. I've had dress watches in the past, but they just seem too delicate and I hardly wore them. This watch is an amazing value! Just ordered mine.
I have a DS-1 with the Powermatic 80 movement and the black crosshair dial. I love the watch, very comfortable on the wrist, you can wear it to almost everything, robust and it runs with + 1 s/d.
My favorite brand! Certina offers very solid, well made watches, good movements and good bracelets. Such a great history! I own and have owned several watches from Certina, never a problem, always reliable and all of that for not too mucb money.
2824 is the powermatic 80 with a few changes. Seems like eta plans to faze out the 4hz version of 2824 for most swatch group watches. Most of their major brands are using the 80hr variant over the traditional 2824. .
Great review. Would love to get me one like that. Had the opportunity of buying two vintage pieces from the 60's and jumped on it. Keep up the great vids, thanks
Nice concise review. Beautiful watch. It’s often been he case that Swiss watches dont look as flashy as Japanese watches, you really have to wear them to appreciate them. It’s the geometry, the quality movement, the solid feel, etc.
If you get the chance, check the Certina DS Podium Automatic. On grey day is a real killer, if I'm not mistaken there are two versions of this watch, one with the 80h pr treatment and the other and more affordable with the higher beat ETA 2824. I got the second one and it's really a good looking watch
Had this watch in gray color dial and it's awesome! Whish there was a version with just markers instead of roman numerals with some lume, but it's not a deal breaker. The only downside for me is the outer clasp. I love the size and thinness or it, and my favorite part of it is the domed crystal. I think this one is better than the new version with the Powermatic 80. That one is bigger and thicker. I gave this watch to my brother for Christmas. Tried to find it again on sale and I can't find it anywhere now. Only on eBay and for double the price I payed for. This is a great value watch that Jomashop used to sell for under $350! Great deal!
Hi Dave, well I don't think so. I couldn't put it into the water, neither in the sea. Is an averyday watch with a substantial elegance. Is a good watch for going to the office, the uni, a friends call for beer, an even so classy for dating in an exclusive restaurant. In my humble opinion if there isn't firstly a scrolldown crown... never step into the water! Thank you!! Saludos!!
Certina, jacques lemans, raymond weil, christopher ward, Tissot, and rotary are just some of the swiss made watches that does not get recognition. They are well made watches at an incredible price.
Out of those brands tissot and certina are the only ones actually worth the money. A ward or RW is fine used but don't buy them new, there is no point because they wards are always on sale so the resale is even lower than that and the rws have 0 sellability new so they are always discounted from hell itself new to then loose half that when you buy them. The sweet spot for mid tier watches in most cases is 500-1000 bucks. When buying above that don't get upper mid tier watches for say 1-2.5k (in general that is, there are good watches here but they are pretty obvious like Oris, longines and maybe Maurice lacroix but I wouldnt go for super unknown massively discounted brands like rw) just go straight to entry level luxuary watches like Tudor or something nicer like Breitling or omega.
The Certina vintage 1950s-1980s Gold-watches was the ones given to postalworkers, police, union worker etc for 40 years of their service. Someone worked 40 years to get one of those
I have a DS Action Chronometer HAQ and it is the perfect watch, imo. 200m WR, DS so you know it's tough, +-10s/y, sapphire, dressy enough, sporty enough. My favorite everyday watch. I also have a Blue Ribbon diver - a tank of a watch. I love Certina watches
I generally like certina but I’m not convinced about this dial. It’s not ugly or anything but to me it gives off a “cheap watch” look. This might be an unpopular opinion and I recognize that it’s based on my own pretentiousness or whatever, but I’d definitely like it if the whole dial had the waffle texture or if it was all flat like on the DS podium
'One watch to rule them all, one youtuber to find it, one watch to bring them all and in the boardroom and sea bind them.' Absolutely fantastic watch ... may replace my desire for my Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80.
For the price of a 'Gentlemen Powermatic' you can choose from any number of Certina automatics and grab yourself a quartz PRX for the same $! I've had a DS Podium for a while now, & Dave's right: whilst Certina struggle to nail a perfect dress/sports watch combo, their watches are incredibly well engineered for the $, and the PRX is actually a ᴄʀᴀᴄᴋᴇʀ of a dressy sports watch in itself! 🙂
A year ago, my choice was between that very Tissot, Certina DS Action DayDate and Longines Conquest, all blue dial. The Certina won it, much better than the DS1 as an all round watch imo.
@@johandebondt5749 I have the same exact dilemma. I can find no reviews on yt about the Certina DS Action Day-Date. Could you write a short summary about it please ? Positives-negatives, how it compares to the Longines ...
@@mariuszsch.79 This article says it all: www.fratellowatches.com/certina-ds-action-day-date-powermatic-80/#gref Plus, I already had a blue HydroConquest, otherwise my choice would have been even more difficult ;-)
I'm not a watch collector, but I got into "watch videos" when I was deciding on the "one watch" to buy, !! I've got the Omega Seamaster 300m black dial, which is tough and sporty for everyday use, but can be worn for smart occasions too... As demonstrated by Mr Bond,,, lol... If you only want, (can afford) , one great watch,, then the SMP 300m, gets my recommendation..
Certina is making big steps forward, the are releasing a couple of nice Heritage watches now in februari, 1958 modell of DS-2..and their 38mm diver 👌, ds action sport with 200m wr ( looks a bit like Omega aqua terra) Nice review as allways 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Great minds think alike. The Certina DS-1 Automatic was the first watch I bought in my watch collecting journey, but with the gray dial. I immediately fell in love with the subtle details in the dial and the bezel that isn't really there. Date window at 4:30? Meh, not a deal breaker for me. Personally, I could do without the date window altogether since it's too small for me to comfortably read anyway.
Nice video! I do have a DS 1 day-date for about a year now and wear it with proud! Mine came on a leather strap, but I am looking for a bracelet like that :)
As always, excellent review, Dave. I have an older DS Podium but have been thinking of adding another Certina to my collection. I will be considering this one now.
Just bought Certina DS Action GMT powermatic80..love it.. Certina is not a well known brand especially in South East Asia unlike Tissot...this brand is so underrated same goes to Mido..
Hi Dave, from central England. You are still my favourite watch reviewer. Great video. I love the elegance of this watch. I'm not sure I'll be buying one, because I already have at least three watches that you have reviewed, two dress and one dive, but I've learned something about a brand I previously knew nothing about. Where I stand with watches is that I categorise them as cheap, which I don't touch, inexpensive, which I will buy, and affordable, which I will go for at a stretch, like the Bulova Lunar Pilot that you reviewed (that makes four of your reviews I think). So although beautiful, this one has competition. I'd still like one though.
This has been a watch that has been on my radar for awhile now.seems like everytime I get the money to purchase one I watch another video and end up buying something else.lol.watch to many videos pertaining to watches and always find myself buying soo many that I don't need but yet I still take myself broke buying them.really wish Certina would make this exact watch without a date complication although I will say I'm happy that they went with a black date wheel to match the dail as opposed to a white one that would stick out like a sore thumb.have 5 different watches with black dails and white date wheels and am actually in process of buying black date wheels to replace them all.
CERTINA are very low key in the watch world, it’s not a brand that’s mentioned much, so was nice to see you’re on the case ;) Being it’s from the Swatch Group you would’ve thought it’ll be mentioned just as much as Hamilton.... I’ve got the DS Multi-8 and can’t fault it... one of the best AR coatings I’ve seen on a watch, and the build is really spot on, but the prices aren’t crazy.... really great review my friend and cheers for sharing... HaPpY Weekend ;)
@@JusttheWatch There's some really nice vintage ones around, but these pack more punch on the cost, but something really nice about CERTINA that keeps it being a classic without it being one of those in your face look at me me me me kind of watch... there's some history behind the brand, and I don't think the Swatch Group have ruined it either... finishing is really spot on, and I wouldn't be surprised if they are made at OMEGA's factory in Biel :))
I think this can be used as an everyday one watch collection but in the Certina range there is also The DS Day Date which may be better suited to this task
As for the 21mm strap: just go on Etsy and get a hand-made strap from some craftsman in Belarus or Ukraine or whatever. This is what I put on my DS-1 and it's gorgeous.
I really like the look of this one! Man I’m behind on your vids! I came over 2 your channel and it said I wasn’t subscribed! I’ve been subbed since you started not sure what happened!? No wonder I haven’t been getting update notifications! Great review keep up the awesome content!
@@JusttheWatch yeah RU-vid definitely does some weird stuff! Well I’m subbed again and should get updates! Looks like you are kicking butt! Keep up the awesome work!
Nice watch. The Roman numerals don't do a lot for me and the non-screw-down crown is too bad. Otherwise, a nice recommendation. I've never thought of Certina for this type of watch. I'm gonna start looking. Good vid. Keep at it!
I snagged this watch based on the video and style and I disliked it upon unboxing. It looked more generic, too deep into dress watch territory to be worn outside of business casual. Which is all well and good though it competes with my Seiko presage espresso martini. After a week on the wrist, I’m well sold on this piece. A grower if ever one there was. I purchased on faux alligator band and changed it out for a Milanese and now it’s in my heavy rotation. Great video, earned another subscriber.
@@JusttheWatch Throw on a sailcloth and it passes the test for a night at the brewery with friends. Edit: It’s a pity that it has a 21mm lug distance. Jomashop has it listed as 20.
I wish I knew this before I bought two Hamilton watches. As I would rather have the basic 2824-2 movement that I can regulate myself and the extra power reserve does not mean that much for me if this is a do everything for me watch. I also like the 28,800 beat rate.
I don’t have that much budget for a watch right now. Of course it sounds great value for money. Hopefully, one day I’ll buy a Certina. Until then, my Invicta Pro Diver is good to go for every occasion. 🙂
Great video and it is a lovely watch but if it's suposed to be a sports watch then the obvious lack of lume is a definate deal breaker for me!! My Casio Edifice EFV-100 has more lume on it and they're never renound for having good lume!!
I was considering buying this watch, but a few things bother me. No anti-reflective coating on the sapphire (the indices seem are tricky enough to read as it is) and that white second hand, which cheapens the overall look in my opinion. They should have made it silver-coloured. Otherwise it looks great, nice review.
That case design is sᴜᴘᴜʀʙ! I really dig how Certina have kept the diameter of the watch to 39mm and used long, graceful lugs to allow it to have a greater presence on larger wrists whilst attaching the bracelet in a way that enables those with a smaller wrist to also enjoy the watch comfortably. This simple approach to case design is not used enough. I love Certina, and own a few (and I have my eye on a 3rd,..when I have the $!). But I've had a DS Podium for a few years now. It's not a perfect watch by any means, but it's exceptionally well built and really looks the business on the perlon strap it mostly lives on. ...and yes; you can swim with it! Don't give it a 2nd thought... I do agree that the brand struggles to 'nail' a design that melds the sport & dress sides seamlessly. For instance, I find the dial design & increased lume on my DS Podium preferable, but the case design and finishing on your DS-1 is twice as good as it is on mine! But overall, the brand is so under-rated it's ridiculous. They have an extremely rich history that includes providing watches to the U.S for the Tektite program, a test on the effects of living in a pressurised environment that provided important data to NASA, they supplied DS-3 divers to the Royal Australian Navy in the 70's and 80's, and were heavily involved in both F1 and MotoGP for some time, amongst other achievements. So the amount of watch you get for your $ really is astounding. Great upload as per Dave!
@@JusttheWatch The DS PH200M is an astounding value diver too Dave. Technically it comes in just under 43mm X just over 51mm, however the bezel overhangs the case, which is around 41mm, so it's a dream to wear if you have the wrist for it. I chose the black aluminium bezel / acrylic crystal version with the milenase bracelet, which is a pretty faithful re-issue of a 1967 release. But the blue sapphire bezel & crystal version is also a beautiful option. The case finishing varies between both models, but on mine, it is entirely brushed - to standard that's actually remarkable for the $, even at retail. But at the JomaShop price it's probably the best sub $750 watch I've ᴇᴠᴇʀ owned. I couldn't recommend it more. Now I'm saving for the recently released DS Automatic Chronograph. It's not so cheap, but a true GADA chronograph with great looks. ʟᴏᴠᴇ Certina!
I want to buy a Certina...I really don’t care for the Roman numerals. I am Unser have of an upgraded dress watch to add to my collection...Have you looked at the DS Podium? Thanks for the great review!
I saw some bigger Certinas with moonfaces etc. They do something weird with the subdails though. They seem multifunctional but really they aren't. Not too sure about getting the more complex ones. This watch seems like a good holiday watch to me
Really nice looking piece especially for the price. In these crazy times of everything going up in price this thing hits the mark as well as a bunch of other older Certina models that can still be had. Thanks so much for the review, always kept my eye on Certina but never pulled the trigger. Just deciding on what DS model and dial colour to grab in this model, Black , Grey or even the White ? I know they’ll all be gone quick.
I received my DS PH200M on Monday. I ordered it on January 3 as a New Year gift to myself! Frickin' JomaShop. If they weren't so bloody cheap... If its any consolation it's my 2nd Certina. Both watches are incredibly well engineered. The bang for buck is seriously good. Hope it arrives soon bud!
I really like those type of watches and started to collect these kind of models more and more next to my SNKL41 and Omega Aqua Terra. This one would fit pretty well. Need to check out if they offer color variations as well.
I love the gray version of this watch. I ordered it once for 200 and some change. But I was laid off at the time and felt really guilty about spending the money so I cancelled the order. I kick myself at least once a week. Because if I can find it it's 350 are more. The list of affordable watches that I fall in love with is very short. Currently the gray one of this is at the top. The black is also gorgeous. In hand I'm not sure which I would prefer grey or black. Black would probably suit me better day 2 day. You just lose some of the detail in the dial with the darker color I think. I'm also a sucker for a darker gray dial. Especially if they have blued hands. Gray dial, blue second hand = perfection. A Gray A. Lange & Sohne datograph perpetual it's my dream watch.
I have a day date version of this movement in my Hamilton, it is really reliable. This is an 80 hour version, so if you move a lot you can leave it over a weekend on the nightstand.
It's a sports/dress watch, and that's what appealed to me. By the way, it's a 20mm lug width, not 21. I am hoping to receive a knighthood shortly, and this may be the one I wear
I love the concept of a one watch collection, but the very nature of "collecting" makes it hard to accomplish. My SARB017 comes pretty close to this concept, but the polished bezel definitely has accumulated some nicks and scratches in less than a year. Just gotta let go of the idea of a mint, unscratched watch.
This is my next pick up. After that I'll grab a Citizen NB1041-84E for that more "modern" dress/everyday feel. Possibly after that the Seiko Negroni. After that I think I'm done collecting for a little while. Take a step back for a bit. I need to. This hobby is getting too pricey. I've bought over 40 budget watches in the last year. I need to cut it out for a but. Hell, start grabbing some higher end watches once or twice a year. I could have chronomaster, Grand Seiko or even a damn Rolex if if bothered to save just a little bit.
I had a certina podium once it looked like the one in the video but grey. I thought it was decent for what I paid for it, but I didn't like the concentric circle and the two textures on the dial. I wished it was just all matte grey or sunburst. I got bored of it and sold it shortly afterwards.
I don't know. It being somewhat easy to read is kind of important for a watch you are supposed to wear all the time. This seems to be worse in that aspect than even a blingy white&gold dress watch.
I don't agree regarding Jomashop. They may be budget price, but their customer service is poor, at best. All good if you don't have an issue, but if you do, don't expect much help. I bought one watch from them, but won't go there again. Ever.
Nice review. Certina is one of my favorite brands but to me this particular reference is less of a do it all watch and is more so something that doesn't know what it is. Is it a dress watch with a sports case or a sports watch with a dress dial? No matter what it is the date window kills it. When brands use a 4:00 or 4:30 date it looks like an after thought. Like someone designed the dial without a date and in some corporate meeting they decided to add a date because they thought it would sell more units. I think if they used plain hour markers and not Romans, put decent lume on it and switched the date to 3 or 6 with 20 mm lugs it would be close to perfect.
Great review video though +14 spd is pretty bad and as far as it being better than Seiko and others, I can only go by personal experience, the 4R36A on my 5 Dress Kx is running at +4 spd, the NH35 in my Pilot +8 spd, and the movement on my Orient Tristar and Mako XL, both +8 spd.. I also have a cheapo Ali Express Cadisen, + 6 spd. +14 is pretty underwhelming. It's a lovely watch but I wouldn't go overboard on the movement as it's not really that great out of the box. I suppose it can be regulated to a better tolerance but then again so can the others. Swiss doesn't always mean you're buying something better.
Honestly, an auto with Swiss Made on the dial for $350 is already a good deal. Watch looks pretty nice, but for most people isn't that 1 watch for all occasions really a dressy diver? I think these days it's perfectly acceptable to wear a smart dive watch in even the most formal situations.
