Officially presented during the Baselworld 2015, the Certina Chronographe DS-8 Phase de Lune is a perfect example of a dressy “complication” watch that somehow manages to combine into a single package an almost stunning exterior, a reliable quartz chronograph movement that, for all things practical, blows out of the water almost all advanced electric mechanisms currently available on the market, while spicing all up with a very affordable price. What more do you expect? A free Porsche?
Certina
Certina DS Podium Shape
Presented in a compact, cushion-shaped body, the 2013 Certina DS Podium Shape (ref. C025.510.16.033.00) is an affordable unisex watch that looks surprisingly refined for a timekeeper that is offered at a price well below the $1000 mark.
Certina DS Eagle GMT Chronograph
Probably inspired by the high-tech Linde Werdelin SpidoSpeed family of mildly skeletonized automatic divers, the new Certina DS Eagle GMT chronograph (ref. C023.739.27.051.00) is equipped with a lot simpler ETA G10.961 caliber: the same quartz movement that powered their 2011 Certina DS Podium Ole Einar Bjorndalen model, but is encased in a lot sportier body.
Limited-Edition Certina DS Powermatic 80 (C026.407.16.087.01)
Certina has designed this dressy 2013 DS Powermatic 80 (ref. C026.407.16.087.01) to compete with the recently presented Tissot Luxury Automatic collection. Sporting the same self-winding Caliber ETA CO7.111 (also dubbed as Powermatic 80), this one features a similar dial layout and boasts the same impressive power reserve of the whole 80 hours.
2012 in Review: Top 12 Watches of the Year!
The year 2012 wasn’t exactly rewarding for the better part of the population. Greece didn’t default, Doomsday didn’t happen and Valve yet again failed to deliver HL:3. However, there were certain bright spots, too: Spain emerged victorious in the 2012 UEFA Euro cup and the European politicians somehow managed to prevent collapse of the single currency. The watchmakers from Europe and Japan, too, managed to introduce a number of great watches, although there was nothing truly revolutionary neither in terms of design, nor technical characteristics (here I am talking about mass-produced models, not some ultra-expensive one-offs).
Certina DS Action Diver 200M Automatic Chronograph
With its new Certina DS Action Diver Automatic Chronograph (ref. C013.427.11.051.00), the Swiss watchmaker targets customers who can’t afford the current Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean divers and, even though so far the brand can offer you neither a ceramic bezel, nor an in-house movement, they are ready to give you a *very* interesting price.
Certina DS1 “Double Security” Automatic
Even though Certina DS1 “Double Security” (ref. C006.407.16.088.00) offers a pretty generic design, it is a nice entry-level model for those high-school graduates still dreaming about their first dress watch with the legendary “Swiss Made” inscription on the dial, which is said to be adding at least +10 to mating abilities and +25 to personal charisma.
Certina DS Podium Ole Einar Bjorndalen GMT Quartz Chronograph
Certina has recently presented a limited edition version of its fairly fresh DS Podium collection. Called Certina DS Podium Ole Einar Bjorndalen GMT Chronograph (ref. C001.639.21.057.10), the new quartz-powered timekeeper honors “the outstanding achievements and career” of Ole Einar Bjorndalen, a Norwegian professional biathlete who, according to Wikipedia (not the best source, I know,) won his first title in 1992 at the junior world championships.
Certina DS Multi-8 GMT Analogue/Digital
At Baselworld 2011, Certina has presented its new quartz-powered DS Multi-8 (ref. C020.419.16.057.00) model. Featuring trendy digital/analog time representation that is loved not only by millions of fans of Japanese brands but also by those who prefer more solid products like, say, Omega and Breitling, the Multi-8 GMT gives you an impressive list of functions, all wrapped in an elegant package of a dress watch.
Certina DS Rookie Quartz Chronograph
The new Certina DS Rookie (ref. C016.417.22.057.00) quartz chronograph is essentially the old DS Action chronograph introduced back in April 2009 and is now packed in a slightly smaller, more elegant case.