The global powerhouse that is the Swatch Group offers Swiss watches at affordable prices. One of those watches is the amazing Certina DS Rookie. It seems to me that the watch is aimed at those who want to buy their first entry level luxury Swiss made watch, the unusual name choice of the Rookie might very well hint at it.

So what exactly does Certina offer us in this particular package? Well, the DS Rookie comes in a 40mm steel case combining both satin and polished aspects, a solid steel bracelet (there is also a rubber version available), sapphire crystal, the ETA Caliber F07.111 movement and a respectable water resistance of 100m.

The case has wide and large lugs which adds a sporty look to the watch. Thanks to those very lugs, people with a large wrist size can wear the DS Rookie even though the 40mm case might normally be too small for them. Various dial colors are available, but in my case I picked the more popular blue with a wonderful sunburst effect. The dial markers can also play beautifully in the right lighting conditions. Certina make the effort to offer some lume on the dial but I wouldn’t say that it is very bright. I am however a big fan of the implementation of the date window. Well done Certina.

As you might have worked out, given the amazingly value and price of the Certina DS Rookie, it was difficult to think of many cons for this watch.

In the end, I can confidently say that this watch is incredibly well suited for everyday wear and people who are comfortable with a more casual style. The DS Rookie is also a great choice for both a total beginner in the watch world and a person with a little bit more experience.