Hands-on: Retro-scented diver from Certina – DS Super PH1000M

Text/Photo: Aleksandar Mladenovic

Certina has a long and solid history of producing robust diver's watches and with the new DS Super PH1000M they look back into the archives and launch a reinterpretation of a really tough diver from the 1970s. We at Eqotime have taken a closer look at the Certina DS Super PH1000M.

Certina is having a strong year this year with quite a few interesting novelties. Earlier we have taken a closer look at the Certina DS Action Diver 38mm in titanium which has had very good feedback from you readers, but also another 70s inspired watch in the form of the Certina DS-2 Chronograph Automatic. We will also take a closer look at the completely new collection Certina DS-7 a little later this autumn.

For the reader with a bit of a handle on older Certinas the new DS Super PH1000M is probably no new acquaintance, much is the same when you compare the watch with the original from the 70s. Most of the deisgn elements have been preserved and it is on the inside that you find thee biggest differences.

First and foremost the model is released in two versions – one with a black dial that we have looked closer at, but also one with an orange dial which is a limited edition of 1,000 examples.

The barrel-shaped case is made in stainless steel, measures 42 x 43,5mm and is a good 14mm thick. It has presence on the wrist and feels very robust. The bezel is fluted for optimal grip and has a bezel insert in aluminium with with graduations for 60 minutes. The triangle is fitted with SuperLuminova luminous material.

At 9 o'clock on the case you find the helium valve and at 3 o'clock the screwed crown which together with a screwed caseback and sapphire crystal makes a water resistance of a full 1,000m possible.

The glossy, black, dial has a good layout and it is easy to read off the watch. The watch's indexes are filled with SuperLuminova, which also goes for the sword-shaped hands where the minute hand stands out in a delicious way with its orange colour. We also like the orange markings on the dial at every index which lift the overall impression further. At 3 o'clock on the dial you find the date window where you quick-set the date via the crown.

The movement that ticks in the watch is Swatch Group's automatic Powermatic 80, a movement that is used widely within the group and which offers 80 hours of power reserve and has a Nivachron balance spring that is resistant to magnetism.

The watch is delivered on a rubber strap for the limited edition and a textile strap made from recycled ocean plastic from #tide on the standard version.

All in all this is quite clearly one of our favourite releases from Certina this year. A robust and very pleasant retro-inspired diver's watch in modern packaging where you get the lovely 70s design with modern upgrades.

The price for the new Certina DS Super PH1000M is 12,300 kronor for the model in black and 13,200 kronor for the limited edition in orange.

Read more about the watch at Certina