« The Double Security Concept for Action, First, Caimano and Podium »
It has been almost six decades since Swiss watchmaker Certina developed its DS principle. The abbreviation stands for "double security" and means that the watches in question are especially resistant to mechanical and other environmental stresses. The concept has proven so successful that the brand's watches are still built according to this principle today, reinforcing the image of a manufacturer that is active primarily in the sports watch segment.
Under the Sign of the Turtle: Robust Construction for Optimal Protection
As wristwatches increasingly displaced the previously dominant pocket watch in the first decades of the 20th century, many watchmakers worked intensively on developing particularly robust watches that could be worn during sports, military operations or other outdoor activities without compromising their function or accuracy. Since Certina was aiming for a strong market position in the sports watch segment, it was only logical that the company also worked on solutions of this kind.
It is worth noting in this context that the company, founded back in 1888, initially marketed its watches under the brand name Grana. Only from 1949 onward did it use its current name as its sole brand name. Derived from the Latin word "certus," meaning "sure" or "secure," the name underscores a high standard of resilience and reliability.
Pioneering Work for New Innovations
Several years of development work finally culminated in the Certina Double Security concept, first unveiled to the public in 1959. In its original version, it comprised shock protection for the balance staff and a special rubber ring to hold the movement in place. Further safety measures included fully threaded screw-down casebacks and extra-thick acrylic crystal. The aim was to protect the movement and dial as well as possible from every side – much like a turtle in its shell.
The turtle therefore became the symbol of the Certina DS concept, and to this day it appears on many Certina watches, either on the caseback or – on models with a display back – on the rotor of the automatic winding mechanism.
The watches were sealed against water ingress up to a pressure of 10 bar, or a depth of 100 meters, so they could be kept on the wrist while showering or swimming without any problem – something that was by no means a given at the time.
Certina DS Cascadeur
The ambition to offer extremely robust watches was particularly evident in the models of the Cascadeur collection, launched in 1995. They already stood out visually because the design of their stainless steel bracelet strongly resembled a motorcycle chain, but this effect was surpassed by two striking metal bars running across the sapphire crystal, intended to provide additional protection against impacts. New editions of the DS Cascadeur followed in 2006 and 2009. Their look was slightly modified compared with the first model, however, especially through a different connection between the metal bars and the case.
Double Security in the 21st Century
Today, the double security principle in Certina's watch models comprises five components. Instead of the extra-thick acrylic crystal of the late 1950s and 1960s, the watches are now fitted with highly scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. They also feature an O-ring gasket on the winding stem and two additional O-ring gaskets in the crown. The fourth and fifth components are a reinforced caseback and a dedicated gasket integrated into it. The manufacturer now regards the implementation of this concept as standard across all current Certina women's and men's collections.
As a result, every model is always water-resistant to at least 100 meters.
Some particularly rugged models are even tested for water resistance up to 300 meters and can therefore be used as dive watches.
The company cultivates its sporty image not only by developing and manufacturing especially robust watches, but also through extensive advertising and sponsorship activities at renowned sporting events and competitions. Certina was timekeeper of the MotoGP World Championship, became official partner and timekeeper of the FIA World Rally Championship in 2013, and has also served since 2015 as official timekeeper of the European ADAC GT racing series.
At the same time, its motorsport involvement was extended to off-road racing, most notably as official partner of the Abu Dhabi Total World Rally Team.
Dress Watches with Double Security
Even though Certina is marketed as an explicit sports watch brand within the Swatch Group, its lineup includes a number of decidedly elegant women's and men's watches. These can be worn with business attire just as well as with evening wear. Thanks to the double security concept, however, they are no less robust and durable than a sports watch.
Today, these models are found mainly in the two collections Urban and Heritage. One example is the Certina DS 1, which is offered in several different versions – including a chronograph, a day-date model and a model with date and small seconds.
Particularly interesting is the Certina DS-1 Powermatic 80, which recalls the first watches built according to the principle and for which a special edition dedicated to its famous predecessor was launched.
The Certina DS Caimano is likewise aimed at buyers looking for an elegant style who also want a watch that can easily hold its own against most sports watches in terms of toughness. This applies to an especially high degree to the DS First Day-Date Automatic, which at first glance is "just" a sporty-elegant stainless steel watch with central seconds and a day and date display.
On closer inspection, however, a discreet note on the dial reveals that it is water-resistant to a pressure of 20 bar, or a depth of 200 meters, and can therefore handle not only the occasional swim or shower but dives as well.
Sporty on Water and on Land
One of the most important lines in the current lineup is the Certina DS Podium, first presented in 2005 and today comprising various chronographs as well as sporty-elegant three-hand models. Thanks to its relatively slim bezel, the cases and dials of the Certina DS Podium appear slightly larger and at the same time more elegant than models such as the DS Action or the DS Action Diver, which are fitted with a wider rotating bezel typical of dive watches.
The tachymeter scale on the bezels of the chronographs, some of which can time tenths and others hundredths of a second, underscores the brand's close ties to motorsport.
If you frequently travel across time zones – whether on business or to attend motorsport events – you will appreciate the DS Podium Chronograph GMT. In addition to the current local time, it can display the time in a second time zone and is fitted with a dedicated subdial for this purpose.
If you prefer something bolder, you can opt for the Certina DS Podium Square, whose square case alone gives it a distinctive, individual touch.
For divers and fans of other water sports, the Aqua collection has the right options. You can choose between the DS Action or the Action Chronograph, each powered by high-precision Precidrive quartz movements, or the mechanical Action Diver Automatic, which is available both as a three-hand watch and as a chronograph.
In addition to versions with stainless steel bracelets and rubber straps, there are also pieces with a titanium case and bracelet.
These models are at least as robust as their steel siblings, while standing out for their remarkably low weight.
