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When you think of robust, adventure-ready vintage watches, a few big names probably come to mind. But to those in the know, Certina’s legendary ‘DS’ series stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the best of them, representing one of the most significant leaps in durability in 20th-century watchmaking. This wasn’t just marketing fluff; the DS was, and still is, the real deal.
Launched in 1959, the “DS” stood for “Double Security,” a groundbreaking concept that transformed the humble wristwatch into a veritable tank. Certina’s engineers developed a system where the entire movement was suspended within the case by a flexible, elastic shock-absorbing ring, creating a “floating” buffer against impacts. Combined with a thicker acrylic crystal and an air gap between the dial and case, the DS system was revolutionary, earning it a reputation for toughness that saw it accompany mountaineers on Himalayan expeditions and divers on the U.S. Navy’s SEALAB-II project. The turtle emblem on the caseback became the proud symbol of this incredible resilience.
This piece is a second-generation DS-2, which brought the legendary toughness into the funk-fueled aesthetic of the late 1960s and 1970s. And what an aesthetic it is. The watch is housed in a fantastic, chunky gold-toned tonneau case that screams 70s cool from across the room. But the main event is, without question, that dial. It’s a stunning and vibrant ombré, fading from a rich, chocolatey brown at the edges to a fiery orange center. Paired with blocky, applied indices and a simple handset, the dial is a masterclass in audacious-yet-balanced design. Powering it all is Certina’s own in-house Caliber 25-651M, a famously reliable automatic workhorse that cemented the brand’s reputation for quality.
This example has been beautifully preserved. While the case shows some light, honest signs of a life well-lived, the all-important dial is in spectacular, clean condition, its vibrant colors undimmed by time. Critically, the signature turtle relief on the screw-down caseback remains incredibly sharp and defined, a key indicator that the case has not been improperly polished.
To us, this DS-2 represents the perfect storm of vintage collecting: it has legitimate, game-changing technical history, an in-house movement, and a design that is unapologetically bold and fun. It’s a watch for the enthusiast who wants more than a name brand—they want a story. This Certina is not just a survivor; it’s a statement piece with the engineering guts to back it up.
