Certina has unveiled a new collection that charts a fresh course, deliberately steering away from the well-trodden path of vintage-inspired reissues. The Certina DS-X series emerges as a bold and contemporary statement, a family of timepieces engineered from the ground up for modern adventure. This is not a nod to the past but a confident stride into the future of rugged, reliable watchmaking. Designed for individuals who forge their own trails, both literally and figuratively, the DS-X is built to be a dependable instrument for those who venture off-road, off-grid, and off-script. It represents a new pillar for the brand, embodying a spirit of exploration with a design and feature set that is entirely of the present moment.
The legacy of Certina is deeply rooted in the concept of durability and reliability, a history stretching back over 135 years. From its inception, the Swiss brand has been dedicated to crafting watches that can withstand the rigors of an active life. This foundational principle led to the development of the famed "Double Security" (DS) concept in 1959, a system that integrated a series of protective measures, including a shock-mounted movement and robust case construction, to ensure exceptional resilience. This commitment to toughness saw Certina watches on the wrists of mountaineers summiting Himalayan peaks and deep-sea divers exploring the ocean floor. The new DS-X collection is the direct inheritor of this legacy, carrying forward the brand's core ethos of certainty and confidence into a new generation of timekeeping tools.
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At the heart of the DS-X's identity is its unapologetically modern and function-driven design. It eschews nostalgic cues in favor of a clear, contemporary aesthetic that prioritizes utility and legibility. The watch is conceived as a versatile tool for the modern globetrotter and outdoor enthusiast. Its most defining characteristic is a unique dual-bezel system that combines navigational capabilities with multi-time zone tracking, a practical fusion of functions that sets it apart in a crowded market of sport watches. This is a timepiece created not just to tell time, but to be an active participant in life's varied expeditions, offering a suite of features designed to provide clarity and confidence no matter the environment.
Visually, the DS-X GMT presents a powerful and assertive profile. The 41mm stainless steel case is expertly sculpted with a mix of finishes that underscore its tool-watch intentions. Broad, angular lugs flow seamlessly from the case body, featuring a fine satin brushing on their top surfaces that contrasts sharply with the high-polished chamfers along their edges. This interplay of light and texture gives the watch a dynamic presence. The case sides are vertically brushed, maintaining the rugged, no-nonsense feel. The overall impression is one of solidity and precise engineering, a watch that looks capable and ready for action without being overly aggressive or bulky.
The dial of the DS-X is a model of clarity and purpose, designed for immediate and unambiguous readings in any condition. On the grey dial variants, the surface has a subtle, matte texture that minimizes reflections and provides a perfect backdrop for the applied indices. These markers are generously proportioned and filled with a substantial amount of Super-LumiNova®, ensuring they glow with a bright, lasting intensity in low-light situations. The handset is similarly bold and legible; the broad hour and minute hands are paired with a distinct central seconds hand. A practical date window is neatly positioned at the 3 o’clock mark, maintaining the dial's balanced and symmetrical layout.
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One of the most compelling features of the DS-X is its innovative bezel arrangement. It incorporates two distinct, rotating bezels that work in concert to provide a wealth of information. The outermost bezel is marked with the cardinal and intercardinal points of a compass—N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW. This allows the user, in conjunction with the sun and the hour hand, to determine a rough bearing, a genuinely useful feature for navigation when off the beaten path. This compass bezel rotates smoothly, allowing for quick orientation and a tangible connection to the watch's adventurous spirit.
Working in tandem with the compass is the inner, dual-tone GMT bezel. This 24-hour ring is a critical component for tracking multiple time zones. Paired with a dedicated, arrow-tipped 24-hour hand, it allows the wearer to keep track of a second time zone, often referred to as "home time" when traveling. The bezel's two-tone design, such as the classic red and black "Coke" or the vibrant green and black combination, provides an immediate visual distinction between daytime and nighttime hours in the secondary time zone. This intuitive design is indispensable for pilots, international business travelers, or anyone coordinating across different parts of the world.
The functionality of the GMT system is both clever and user-friendly. By setting the 24-hour hand to a reference time (like GMT or your home time) and aligning the local hour hand to your current location, you can read two time zones at a glance. However, the rotating nature of the GMT bezel adds another layer of utility. By rotating this bezel, the wearer can offset the 24-hour scale relative to the 24-hour hand, effectively allowing them to track a third time zone simultaneously. This level of functionality elevates the DS-X from a simple travel watch to a comprehensive world-timer for the truly global citizen.
Powering the DS-X collection is the Swiss Made F06.865 quartz movement. While mechanical movements often capture the imagination of enthusiasts, the choice of a high-performance quartz caliber is a deliberate and practical one for a watch of this nature. Quartz movements offer superior accuracy, greater resistance to shocks and vibrations, and the convenience of a "grab-and-go" timepiece that is always running and ready for an impromptu adventure. This reliability is paramount for a tool watch where precise timekeeping can be crucial.
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A key technological advantage of this movement is the integration of Certina's HeavyDrive™ technology. This intelligent feature is engineered to enhance the watch's resilience against impacts. The system uses an integrated circuit that detects shocks and instructs the motor to counteract the forces that could cause the hands to jump or misalign. This ensures that even after a significant jolt, the watch maintains its precision, a critical assurance for a timepiece designed to be worn during demanding physical activities. It is a testament to Certina's commitment to pushing the boundaries of durability, even within their quartz offerings.
The case construction of the DS-X is a masterclass in robust engineering, reflecting the brand’s deep-seated expertise in creating watches for extreme conditions. Fashioned from 316L stainless steel, a material prized for its high corrosion resistance and strength, the 41mm case strikes a perfect balance between presence and wearability. Its thickness of 12.15mm allows it to feel substantial and solid on the wrist without being cumbersome. The integrity of the case is further secured by a screw-down caseback and a protected, screw-down crown, which are essential elements in achieving its impressive water resistance.
Reinforcing this robust build is the introduction of the “New DS Concept Extreme Shock Resistance.” This represents the next evolution of Certina’s legendary Double Security system. While the specific technical details of this new concept are proprietary, the brand states that it far exceeds the requirements of the ISO 1413 standard for shock-resistant watches. This enhanced protection system ensures that the intricate components of the movement and the integrity of the case are shielded from even more severe impacts, providing an extra layer of confidence for the wearer who pushes their gear to the limit.
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A critical specification for any adventure watch is its ability to perform in and around water. The Certina DS-X GMT excels in this regard, boasting a water resistance rating of 20 bar, which is equivalent to a depth of 200 meters. This level of protection goes far beyond what is needed for simple splashes or swimming. It makes the watch suitable for a wide range of water-based activities, including recreational scuba diving, snorkeling, and surfing. This capability ensures that the DS-X is a true go-anywhere, do-anything companion, ready for expeditions that transition seamlessly from land to sea.
To protect the meticulously crafted dial, Certina has fitted the DS-X with a sapphire crystal. Renowned for its exceptional hardness, sapphire is virtually scratch-proof, second only to diamond. This ensures that the watch face remains clear and unmarred through years of hard use. Furthermore, the crystal is treated with an anti-reflective coating on one side. This coating significantly reduces glare and reflections, dramatically improving legibility, especially in bright, direct sunlight—a common scenario for any outdoor adventurer. It's a premium feature that underscores the watch's practical, user-focused design.
The collection is launched with five distinct and vibrant styles, offering a range of choices to suit different tastes. A standout model features a crisp white dial paired with a bright turquoise-blue rubber strap and a striking orange and blue day/night bezel. The other four versions are built around a versatile and handsome grey dial. Two of these feature a dynamic green and black bezel, available with either a matching green rubber strap or a robust three-link stainless steel bracelet. The final two options showcase a classic red and black bezel, offered with a choice of a black rubber strap or the same stainless steel bracelet, ensuring there is a DS-X for every style of explorer.
The coherence of the design is evident in the thoughtful color coordination across each model. The GMT hand, with its prominent arrowhead tip, is colored to match the primary accent color of the bezel. In the blue and orange bezel model, the hand is a vibrant orange. For the green and black bezel versions, the GMT hand is green, and for the red and black variants, it is a bold red. This small but significant detail enhances the watch's legibility, making it easier to distinguish the 24-hour hand at a quick glance, and it demonstrates a level of design refinement that elevates the entire collection.
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The straps and bracelets offered with the DS-X collection are designed to complement the watch's rugged character and versatile nature. The rubber straps are crafted from a high-quality, durable material that is comfortable, waterproof, and ideal for active use. The vibrant colors add a modern, sporty flair. The stainless steel bracelet is a classic three-link oyster-style design, featuring solid links and a secure folding clasp. It offers a more traditional and substantial feel on the wrist, easily transitioning from a mountain trail to a casual evening setting. The quick-release spring bars would have been a welcome addition for even easier strap changes, but the drilled lugs still facilitate the process.
The Certina DS-X collection offers a compelling package of features, durability, and Swiss-made quality at an accessible price point. The models on rubber straps, including the white dial version (C047.452.17.011.00), the grey dial with a black strap (C047.452.17.081.01), and the grey dial with a green strap (C047.452.17.081.00), have a recommended retail price of $535 USD. The two models offered on the stainless steel bracelet, the grey dial with a red bezel (C047.452.11.081.01) and the grey dial with a green bezel (C047.452.11.081.00), are priced at $560 USD. This positions the DS-X as a strong value proposition in the market for adventure-focused GMT watches, making its robust feature set available to a wide audience of explorers. The collection is available through authorized Certina retailers, ready to embark on its first of many adventures.
Case: 316L stainless steel; 41mm diameter; 12.15mm thickness; Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on one side; Crown protection with screwed crown and screwed caseback; Water-resistant to 20 bar (200m).
Movement: Swiss Made Quartz F06.865; HeavyDrive™ technology; Functions include hours, minutes, seconds, date, and a 24-hour GMT hand.
Dial: White or Grey color options; Super-LumiNova® on hands and indexes; 24-hour scale on GMT bezel; Date window at 3 o’clock; Separate 24-hour hand with colored arrowhead.
Strap: Available on turquoise-blue, black, or green rubber straps, or a 316L stainless steel bracelet.
Price: USD 535.- on rubber strap; USD 560.- on stainless steel bracelet.
Reference Number: C047.452.17.011.00 (White/Blue Rubber); C047.452.17.081.01 (Grey/Black Rubber); C047.452.17.081.00 (Grey/Green Rubber); C047.452.11.081.01 (Grey/Red Bezel/Steel); C047.452.11.081.00 (Grey/Green Bezel/Steel).
Notes: Features the "New DS Concept Extreme Shock Resistance" exceeding ISO 1413 standards. A rotating outer bezel with compass markings combined with a GMT bezel allows for navigation and tracking of up to three time zones.