The new Certina DS Powermatic 80, a straightforward collection featuring watches with date functions, joins the Heritage Collection with an initial offering of five dial colors and cases in steel or gold-tone PVD coatings. Inspired by the 2020 DS Chronograph Automatic model - a revision of the 1940s Certina chronograph - the new Certina DS Powermatics borrow some vintage codes from the chronograph and are equipped with the modern and reliable Swatch Group Powermatic 80 movement. In line with the brand's commitment to offer dependable quality at competitive prices, the new Certina DS Powermatic watches are very attractively priced.
DOUBLE SECURITY
DS in Certina stands for Double Security, a concept introduced by the brand in 1959 to make watches more robust, reliable, and waterproof. What may seem standard today was truly novel at the end of the 1950s. Much like a turtle's hard shell (adopted as the brand's logo in 1960), the idea of double security was to protect the movement from all kinds of external influences. The original DS concept, still used in all DS models today, is based on a series of O-rings on the crown and pushers with a special seal on the reinforced case back.
THE NEW CERTINA DS POWERMATIC WATCHES
All new models share the same case size of 41mm in diameter and 10.90mm in height, and are water-resistant to 100 meters. Made of 316L stainless steel, three models have rose or yellow gold PVD coating. Ergonomic lugs and a slightly curved case back are designed to improve the watch's fit. Although the new Certina DS Powermatics are simple models with time and date functions, they have borrowed some retro design elements from the 2020 DS Chronograph model. Like the DS Chronograph, the dial is slightly domed and topped with sapphire crystal, while applied arrow-shaped hour markers are faceted to evoke a vintage feel. However, as with modern everyday watches, the tips of the hour markers are illuminated with Super-LumiNova dots, as are the inserts on the hour and minute hands.
The new Certina DS Powermatic model is available with white, blue, gold, green, and brown dials, all with a refined sunray finish and a date window at 3 o'clock. A discreet minute/second track and a very thin and elongated blued steel central seconds hand complete the package.
QUICK RELEASE SYSTEM
In line with the demands of modern watch buyers who seek versatility, the DS Powermatic 80 model is equipped with a quick-release strap system. Presented on NATO straps and more traditional leather straps, they can be swapped to change the watch's appearance in an instant.
POWERMATIC 80
The Powermatic 80 movement, developed by the Swatch Group and used by other mid-range brands such as Tissot, Mido, and Hamilton, is noted for its reliability. Equipped with an anti-magnetic Nivachron balance spring and offering significant shock resistance, the 80-hour power reserve of the Powermatic is a real advantage.
PRICE
The new Certina DS Powermatic models with standard steel cases are priced at 850 Swiss Francs; the gold-tone PVD-coated models are slightly more expensive, retailing at 890 Swiss Francs (~ $970).
More information can be found on Certina.com.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - CERTINA DS POWERMATIC 80
Case: 40mm diameter x 10.90mm height - stainless steel or rose and yellow gold PVD-coated steel - domed sapphire crystal AR over the dial, sapphire crystal case back - water resistance 100m.
Dial: white, blue, green, brown, or gold dial with sunray finish - applied and faceted indices with luminous dots - spear-shaped hour and minute hands with Super-LumiNova coating, blued central seconds hand - date window at 3 o'clock
Movement: Powermatic 80.611 - automatic - 23 jewels - 21,600 vibrations/hour - anti-magnetic Nivachron balance spring - 80-hour power reserve - hours, minutes, seconds, date
References: C038.407.38.037.00 white dial, rose gold PVD-coated steel case and striped NATO strap
C038.407.36.087.00 brown dial, rose gold PVD-coated steel case and dark brown leather strap
C038.407.36.367.00 gold dial, yellow gold PVD-coated steel case and light brown leather strap
C038.407.18.047.00 blue dial, stainless steel case and striped NATO strap
C038.407.18.037.00 white dial, stainless steel case and anthracite NATO strap
C038.407.16.097.00 green dial, stainless steel case and dark brown leather strap
Price: 850 CHF (~ $930) models with steel cases
CHF 890 (~ $970) models with PVD-coated steel cases