THE DIVING TURTLE
As the watchmaker gets ready to celebrate the 60th anniversary of its DS concept, it is re-releasing a model inspired by a piece from the end of the 1960s regulated by the powerful Powermatic 80 caliber
In just a few months, it will be 60 years since Certina adopted the turtle, a symbol of robustness and longevity, as its emblem in 1959, the same year it developed the famous DS concept (standing for Double Security) which guarantees the superior shock resistance and water resistance up to 200 meters of its automatic watches. These two key strengths still stand today as demonstrated by the new DS PH200M model inspired by a piece from 1967.
This re-release is based on the esthetic codes of its predecessor such as the design of the dial. Protected by a domed hesalite crystal and coated with a scratchguard treatment, the dial is matte black, a deep stealthy shade which makes the thin red cross connecting the compass points stand out as well as the white luminescent markers. In the center, two dagger-shaped hands coated with Super-LumiNova® display the hours and minutes. These are accompanied by a glossy red second hand with a phosphorescent arrow on the tip. The date is displayed in black on a white background in a window at 3 o’clock.
The polished steel case of this Certina measures almost 43 mm in diameter. It is equipped with a unidirectional rotating bezel and a black aluminum ring featuring a triangular marker and a minute counter composed of figures and markers. Both the case back, engraved with the turtle logo, and the crown are screw-in.
The metal case houses the robust Powermatic 80 caliber developed by ETA, a mechanical automatic-winding movement which powers the timekeeping functions and offers, as its name suggests, a power reserve of 80 hours.
The DS PH200M model comes with two easy-to-change straps without the need for any tools: a steel mesh bracelet or a petroleum blue NATO which emphasizes the vintage appeal of the watch.
Price: 745 CHF
By Sharmila Bertin