

Since 2017, the company is partners with the Sea Turtle Conservancy, an American nonprofit dedicated to sea turtle conservation.Ĭertina joined General Watch Co. These included, for example, Sealab II and the Tektite habitat, where the DS-2 watches excelled. Of course, the association with water is not without merit either, with the brand’s watches accompanying various underwater research missions. The company builds its watches to live long and survive hard knocks, so a turtle was the perfect fit. The brand needed a logo to symbolize its toughness, therefore, in 1960, it took on the turtle logo. The seals that served as part of the DS system also afforded water resistance up to 200 meter depths. The idea behind the DS was excellent shock resistance, hence DS, or “Double Security.”Ī DS watch’s movement sits within a shock-absorbent ring within the sealed case, therefore it has wiggle room during impacts. However, the line of watches that is preeminent in the brand’s collections today, the DS, didn’t start until 1959. In 1939, the company registers the name Certina, from the Latin “certus,” which the English “certain” descends from. Sure And Secure: The Certina Name And The DS Growth was slow during the Great Depression, but the watchmaker persevered. These were chiefly women’s watches, since men rarely wore wristwatches prior to World War I. Not long after the turn of the century, the brand began manufacturing wristwatches. Many of these bore the brand Grana, which the Kurth brothers shortened from Granacus, the Latin name for Grenchen. The firm steadily grew, and therefore soon began to make its own watches. At this time, the company was under the name Kurth Frères SA. The DS Rookie is also a great choice for both a total beginner in the watch world and a person with a little bit more experience.The company’s story begins with the Kurth brothers in Grenchen, Switzerland, when they opened their home workshop.Īdolf and Alfred Kurth started their business in 1888, though they began by making components only. In the end, I can confidently say that this watch is incredibly well suited for everyday wear and people who are comfortable with a more casual style. Well done Certina.Īs you might have worked out, given the amazingly value and price of the Certina DS Rookie, it was difficult to think of many cons for this watch. I am however a big fan of the implementation of the date window. Certina make the effort to offer some lume on the dial but I wouldn’t say that it is very bright. The dial markers can also play beautifully in the right lighting conditions. Various dial colors are available, but in my case I picked the more popular blue with a wonderful sunburst effect. Thanks to those very lugs, people with a large wrist size can wear the DS Rookie even though the 40mm case might normally be too small for them. The case has wide and large lugs which adds a sporty look to the watch. So what exactly does Certina offer us in this particular package? Well, the DS Rookie comes in a 40mm steel case combining both satin and polished aspects, a solid steel bracelet (there is also a rubber version available), sapphire crystal, the ETA Caliber F07.111 movement and a respectable water resistance of 100m. It seems to me that the watch is aimed at those who want to buy their first entry level luxury Swiss made watch, the unusual name choice of the Rookie might very well hint at it. One of those watches is the amazing Certina DS Rookie. The global powerhouse that is the Swatch Group offers Swiss watches at affordable prices.
