In 1888, the brothers Adolf and Alfred Kurt founded their own watch production base in Switzerland. At the foot of Mount Jura between Solothurn and Bill, the two brothers and their three employees have created an exclusive area at home to work. But within a short period of time, their business has been greatly developed, and in the next few years, various businesses have been expanded and opened.
The birth of a special ‘turtle’
With the continuous development of watchmaking technology, Certina’s continuous research and breakthrough on the way of watchmaking. In the 1960s, Certina began producing professional diving watches. Among them, the most famous is Certina DS Super PH 500M. As early as 1959, Certina launched a reliable and durable DS double insurance system, and this technology is equipped on the diving watch, which is a major innovation for Certina. Certina DS is an automatic watch advertised as ‘very impact resistant’ with a water resistance of up to 20 bar (200 meters). This technology caused a great sensation at the time.
By 1969, the United States Navy and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) had carried out a series of geological and biological experimental studies in the Caribbean Sea, and the project code name was Tekteite. The underwater camera and microphone record the movement and sound data of the test team. The divers who participated in the test all wore Certina DS-2 Super PH 500m diving watch. After the experiment, the test rating of Certina watch was Excellent A.
So what exactly is DS double insurance technology?
Certina DS double insurance technology anatomy diagram
How to interpret the ‘double insurance technology’ on the diving watch? Only a highly rugged structure? Not only that, the concept of double insurance technology is also reflected in all parts of Certina watches: O-ring washers on the lever, two O-ring washers on the crown, professional washers on the case back, Forced case back.
Certina ‘Sea Turtle’ Logo
It is worth mentioning here that the back of each Certina diving watch is engraved with a unique ‘Certoise’ coat of arms. This is the tradition of Certina, and it also represents the guarantee of Certina quality. Turtles symbolize long life, sturdy and waterproof. Today, the mark of the ‘turtle’ is as impressive as its reliable quality.
Adding ‘dual insurance technology’ to diving watches makes Certina diving watches different from other brands. Certina DS Action Diver (turtle series) automatic diving watches have been reaffirming this concept for many years, and always follow the strict ISO 6425 diving watch standards.
What is the ISO 6425 diving watch standard?
ISO 6425 specifies the physical properties that a diving watch must have, such as the water resistance to which it can be reached. In addition, it uses some special test methods to ensure that all requirements can be met. For a mechanically driven diving watch with hands indicating the time, these necessary physical properties include: a component that can preset a diving time of 60 minutes (usually a unidirectional rotating outer ring), clear reading in the dark, and watch running status Tips (usually a glowing second hand), resistance to salt water erosion and impact from external forces, reliability in underwater operation, anti-magnetic (ISO 764), shock resistance (ISO 1413), and thermal shock resistance (rapid temperature changes)
The most important of all the tests specified by ISO 6425 is that each watch must be tested under conditions of 1.25 times the official nominal waterproof depth, the so-called ‘overpressure’. Under ‘overpressure’ conditions, if the watch passes all tests, it also means that the watch can cope with the underwater environment in actual operation. The deadly enemy of the diving watch is water vapor. As long as you overcome this technical difficulty, it is not just the turtles who are free to swim in the water, but you wearing a ‘turtle’.
New ‘turtle’, different experiences
Double protection design crown
At the Baselworld 2017, Certina launched a new generation of DS Action Diver (Sea Turtle) automatic diving watches. The new generation of ‘Sea Turtles’ also follows the ISO 6245 diving watch standard and has a water resistance of 300 meters. , And is equipped with a highly innovative PowermaticTM 80-hour long power movement to ensure that accurate water movement can be maintained in and out of water.
In addition to its excellent waterproof performance and movement, the reason why the ‘Sea Turtle’ series is still popular today is inseparable from its classic diving watch shape. The new generation of ‘Turtle’ still retains the style of its series, but has made some changes from the original. First of all, the case changed from 43.2 mm to 43 mm. The red letter element was added to the dial to make the dial’s color more lively and richer in layering. Comparing C013 and C032 in the same series, C032 also adds a date display window design at 3 o’clock. Some people say that it disrupts the overall harmony, and some people say it enhances the use of daily life. However, this design dispute with or without history does not only exist in the ‘turtle’, we do not discuss the problem of no solution. In addition, the outer ring of the entire hand form has also been slightly changed, and the original 12-point triangular logo has been added with a dot-dot fluorescent coating design.
Certina diving element series (turtle series) C032.407.11.041.00
The new ‘Turtle’ has a high-contrast dial design, which contrasts with the smooth lacquered bezel in color. The hands and large time scale are finished with Super-LumiNova®, which enhances readability in a variety of light conditions. The double-sided anti-glare sapphire crystal is one of the many features of DS (Double Insurance Technology), ensuring that all Certina watches have excellent waterproof and shock resistance since the 1960s. The new DS Action Diver (turtle series) automatic diving watch is equipped with a three-row frosted stainless steel bracelet with a two-button folding buckle and a professional extension for diving watches. In addition, there are other styles to choose from, such as black dial models and other material straps, such as rubber straps. The domestic price of the new generation of ‘turtles’ is RMB 6,200, which is the same price as the previous generation of turtles. While the technology has been upgraded, the price remains the same.