Certina transformed watch durability with their DS (Double Security) concept, inspired by the humble turtle's protective shell. For over half a century, that turtle logo has signified Swiss sports watches built to withstand whatever life throws at them.
Grenchen Origins
Certina was founded in 1888 by brothers Adolf and Alfred Kurth in Grenchen, Switzerland. Initially called Kurth Frères, the company produced watch movements and components before transitioning to complete timepieces. The name Certina, derived from the Latin "certus" meaning "certain" or "reliable," was adopted in 1938.
Grenchen, located in the Canton of Solothurn, was a watchmaking center with traditions stretching back centuries. Certina benefited from this ecosystem of suppliers, craftsmen, and industry knowledge.
The DS Concept: Double Security
In 1959, Certina introduced the DS concept, revolutionizing watch durability. Inspired by the turtle's shell—soft and vulnerable inside, protected by an incredibly strong exterior—the DS system used a reinforced case back, specially designed crown with O-ring seals, and shock-absorbing movement mounting.
The result was extraordinary robustness. In testing, a DS watch survived being run over by a vehicle without damage. The turtle became Certina's emblem, appearing on case backs as a symbol of this protective technology.
The DS Concept Test
Certina demonstrated DS durability dramatically. In 1960, they strapped watches to the front of a train traveling from Grenchen to Geneva. The watches survived perfectly. Other tests involved dropping watches from helicopters and subjecting them to extreme pressures. Each time, DS passed.
This wasn't marketing theater—it was genuine engineering innovation that set new standards for watch durability.
Motorsport Heritage
Certina developed strong connections to motorsport, particularly rallying. The brand sponsored rally teams and drivers, associating itself with the precision timing and reliability essential to racing. This motorsport heritage continues today with partnerships in various racing series.
Rally driving demands watches that can withstand vibration, shock, and harsh conditions while remaining accurate. Certina's DS concept made their watches natural choices for motorsport professionals.
Swatch Group Integration
Certina became part of the Swatch Group, positioning it alongside brands like Tissot, Mido, and Hamilton in the accessible Swiss watch segment. This relationship provides Certina access to shared movement development and manufacturing resources while maintaining its sports watch identity.
Within the Swatch Group hierarchy, Certina focuses specifically on sports watches—a clear positioning that distinguishes it from siblings with different specializations.
The DS Action Collection
The DS Action line represents Certina's core sports watch offering. These include dive watches rated to 300 meters, chronographs, and GMT models—all featuring the DS concept's protective technology. The DS Action Diver, in particular, has earned respect among collectors for its robust construction and competitive pricing.
Powermatic 80 Integration
Modern Certina watches frequently feature the Powermatic 80 movement, offering 80-hour power reserves—double the industry standard. This Swatch Group innovation means a Certina can sit unworn through a long weekend and still be running Monday morning.
The integration of advanced movements demonstrates Certina's access to group resources while maintaining accessible price points.
Modern DS Evolution
The DS concept continues to evolve. Modern iterations include sapphire crystals, advanced sealing systems, and materials that improve on the original concept's already impressive performance. The turtle logo still appears on case backs, connecting today's watches to six decades of DS heritage.
Certina Today
Certina remains focused on sports watches with serious capability. While they may lack the prestige of luxury sports watch brands, they offer genuine tool watch functionality—tested, proven, and guaranteed by that turtle emblem. For buyers seeking Swiss sports watches with real durability at accessible prices, Certina delivers on its Latin name: certain reliability.