Quartz / Swiss
The new Certina DS Rookie (ref. C016.417.22.057.00) quartz chronograph watch is in essence the old Certina DS Action chrono introduced early last year that was introduced early last year and is now packed in a slightly smaller, more elegant case.
While the last year’s model was offered in a massive stainless steel body 42.5 millimeters in diameter, the new version measures only 40 millimeters wide, which makes it more appropriate to be worn with a casual dress.
The lack of the rotating diver’s bezel, which is now replaced with a black PVD-coated fixed part, also increases the timekeeper’s visual appeal since the new bezel may be especially interesting for those dreaming about a watch with scratch-resistant ceramic parts but lacking the means to obtain one.
Featuring the same dial layout and virtually the same design language, the watch is also powered by the same standard-issue Swiss made ETA G10.211 quartz chronograph movement.
The G10.211 caliber is built on 4 functional jewels and offers a rather standard set of functions, those including analogue hours and minutes indication, as well as a small jumping second as 6 o’clock; small date at 4 o’clock and chronograph counters for 1/10 second, 60 seconds and 30 minutes with “add” and “split” functions.
As usual, it is operated with a pair of PVD-treated push-pieces located at 2 and 4 o’clock and partly protected from occasional bumps and scratches with a set of nice-looking guards that also protect the crown.
Being 29.8 mm in diameter and 5.12 mm thick, the movement is rather large, so Certina has a fairly good excuse to put it in a mid-sized 40 mm stainless steel body. The mechanism, by the way, is not a cheap one. Third-party retailers sell the movement at a price hovering around $45-$55, so, as you can see, Certina didn’t try to cut corners here and there trying to shave a couple of cents out of the timekeeper’s production cost. Perhaps, the only problem with this mechanism is that it, as far as I know, is not a repairable one. If something goes wrong after the warranty is expired, you will have to pay just that $45-$55 plus labor in order to get the piece going again. Same goes if you buy one second hand only to find out that it gains ten seconds per month: a rare occasion, but, too, has a detrimental effect on the timekeeper’s resale value.
Again, not a problem, but just keep it in mind if buying used.
I am not on Certina PR department’s payroll, so I won’t bother you with an extended ode to the watch’s “bold styling” and “contagious energy.” However, I must admit, that, available at a price of some €450, the watch is a decent choice for those not willing to spend a couple of Grands for the good old Longines Conquest quartz chronograph watch.
See also: Victorinox Swiss Army Maverick GS Dual Time GMT quartz watch
Photos: Certina
Certina DS Rookie Quartz Chronograph (ref. C016.417.22.057.00) watch specification:
Price: €450 (MSRP)
Movement: Caliber ETA G10.211, quartz, diameter 29.8 mm, height 5.12 mm, Swiss Made
Jewels: 4
Functions: Chronograph, date
Power reserve: 48 months
Case material: Stainless steel
Bezel material: Stainless steel
Bezel shape: Round
Case size: 40.00 mm
Case height: No data
Dial: Black
Numerals: Arabic
Hands: Steel
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Bracelet in stainless steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Case back: Solid steel