Watches To Watch: Certina DS-2 Powermatic 80

This one almost slipped through our fingers. In the shadow of many huge product launches, it’s easy to overlook a few new models from quieter – but by no means less important –manufacturers. Certina, a brand belonging to the Swatch Group, launched the DS-2 Powermatic 80 back in March – and it turned out extremely well!

I like the cushion-shaped case combined with the delicate Milanese bracelet – it has this cool, retro charm on the one hand, but also an elegant touch. I like the simple but slightly domed dial, with bold indices and baton hands. More would have been too much here. The slight curve of the dial, on the other hand, matches to the soft corners and edges of the case. The date window is carefully framed, a detail that I also like very much.

The DS-2 is a piece of history that enjoyed its heyday back in the late 1960s. In 1968, Certina presented it as the successor to the DS-1, launched nine years prior. Also then, it was housed in a tonneau-shaped case and appreciated for its robustness. In addition to the normal gasket of the DS-1 models, the DS-2 of 1968 had another (O-ring) gasket integrated in the stem of the crown. Specially manufactured screws protected it from damage, also against very strong shocks. At that time, Certina used the manufacture calibre 25-66 with manual winding, or 25-661 with date. There were also automatic versions with the manufacture calibre 25-651 or 25-652 with day and date display. If you browse the watch forums, it is still appreciated for its robustness more than 50 years later. 

The new DS-2 Powermatic 80 is inspired by this original from 1968, which was also available in an 18-carat yellow gold version. It has a 40 x 38 mm case with a height of 12.65 mm. The ultra-modern Powermatic 80 calibre (based on ETA 2824-2), which is also used in several other watches of the Swatch Group brands, ticks away inside it. It is equipped with an anti-magnetic Nivachron hairspring and a power reserve of 80 hours. Thanks to the screw-down crown and the proven DS system (double safety), the watch is water-resistant to 200 m.

I was particularly taken with the blue satin-finish dial and the Milanaise strap. However, Certina also offers three other dial options: matt black, silver or satin black, as well as a recycled NATO strap as an alternative to the Milanaise bracelet. Starting at 860 euros, you get an almost unbeatable Swiss watch design and movement with the DS-2 Powermatic 80. Perhaps Certina is already thinking about another reinterpretation of the DS-2 in an 18-carat yellow gold version? If so, I would be weak at the knees.

www.certina.com

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