Firstly, Certina has previously released a lot of boring shitty looking watches, but have recently created some pretty cool timepieces. I have been admiring some of their vintage diver watches. So I decided to have look at their latest offerings and almost shat myself with excitement when I found out that the Certina DS PH200m had been re-issued! Ok so Certina got on the bandwagon after another vintage inspired diver’s watch from a decent brand was reborn!

For those that aren’t familiar with the brand, I would put Certina in the same sort of category as Hamilton and Tissot. All three Watch brands use the Powermatic 80 movement (ETA 2824-2 on steroids), and have also issued some vintage, re-issue style watches. All three are also part of the Swatch group, aka Spectre, lol Just kidding! I love a lot of Swatch group products!

The Good: The hesalite domed crystal is superb, and a nice touch, the bezel is beautiful and the hard plastic tactical divers watch box set is actually pretty sweet, and looks like something Daniel Craig might have in his glovebox! The design is very appealing to the eye, in keeping with its 1960’s-70’s counterpart or OG Daddy, with a few differences like the red seconds hand, but retaining the cool ass crosshair dial! The case back has an interesting sea turtle design, as most Certinas do. The Powermatic 80 Automatic movement keeps time within COSC apparently, and the 80 hours power reserve is an awesome thing to behold! The case is very solid but not too heavy or too thick. I think it could be worn in any kind of situation, by dressing it up or down as needed (strap/bracelet wise). The Superluminova is very good and lasts a long time, and looks great with those 60’s Royal Navy Seamaster 300-esque sword hands.

The Bad: The straps that come with the watch are just ‘Ok’ and have a mediocre quality feeling. I think they should have spent less money on the cool box set and distributed those funds towards creating better straps. The case size is a bit big for most wrists at approximately 43mm. It does wear a bit smaller though. 40mm would have been a better size in my opinion. The price is a bit much at 695 CHF (Swiss Francs) direct from Certina or around $600-700 from grey market dealers in the land of the free. Sadly Certina doesn’t seem to have any authorized dealers in the USA, (per the Certina website) for some unknown reason? So us ‘Merican residents don’t have many purchase options in regards to Certina. Someone needs to become an AD for Certina…free business idea, your welcome! Also, at this price, I think a matching lumed bezel would have been a plus!

Another Certina DS PH200m has been released this year. I watched the reveal video on YouTube: they increased the price, added a Sapphire Crystal, a 50 Fathoms style bezel, and a vintage style fake custard vintage lume…oh why do that Certina?? You guys create a superb recreation of a great old divers watch and then re-do it again, trying to overthink it! Why change a ‘good thing’? I tell it as it is.

My thoughts: The Certina DS PH200m I own is the hesalite crystal version…overall it’s a good watch, with a great look, especially for us fat wristed lads! I’d have preferred the mesh bracelet version myself, but I can buy a good quality aftermarket mesh bracelet, that has the same look and feel as the Certina brand bracelet for $50-100. So not a big deal. Overall, I love this watch and may keep it a bit longer! It’s my cup of tea Dudes and Dudettes, and it’s right up there with my Squale 1521 50 Atmos 🙂 The one that I own is pre-owned, and It was cheaper than a lot of pre-owned Chinese made microbrand watches. But with this watch, you get true Swiss heritage, and a proper Swiss movement to boot! Decent!