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In the pantheon of legendary, ultra-tough tool watches from the mid-20th century, a few names always come to mind. But one of the most important and technologically innovative of them all is a watch that, for years, has been a cherished secret among serious collectors: the first-generation Certina DS.
Launched in 1959, the “DS” or “Double Security” system was nothing short of revolutionary. While other brands were focused on water resistance or basic shock protection, Certina re-engineered the entire watch for maximum durability. The groundbreaking concept was to suspend the entire in-house movement within an elastic shock-absorber ring, effectively allowing it to float inside the case and absorb impacts from any direction. This, combined with a thicker crystal, reinforced case back, and extra seals, created one of the most robust timepieces the world had ever seen.
This wasn’t just marketing theory; it was proven in the most extreme environment on Earth. In 1960, members of the Swiss expedition that completed the first successful ascent of Dhaulagiri (the world’s 7th highest mountain) were equipped with Certina DS watches. The watches performed flawlessly, cementing the DS’s reputation as a tool watch of the highest order and giving it a legitimate adventure pedigree that rivals any brand.
This particular example is a fantastic and pure expression of that legendary first generation. Its handsome, classic design—with a clean silver dial, sharp applied indices, and elegant dauphine hands—beautifully conceals the beastly toughness that lies within. The robust stainless steel case is in wonderful, honest condition, and flipping it over reveals the iconic “Turtle” case back, the symbol of the DS line’s incredible resilience. Beating reliably inside is Certina’s in-house Caliber 25-36, a robust manual-winding movement and the perfect engine for this go-anywhere, do-anything machine.
