First Look: The new Certina DS Action Diver Chrono (2024)

Certina is a go-to brand for resilient, well-designed, decently-priced sports watches. The latest model to join the Certina family is the DS Action Diver Chrono, which combines the solid diving specifications of the DS Action Diver with the functionality of a chronograph. Robust enough to fathom depths of 300 metres, the stylish two-tone golden sand and black model also cuts a dashing figure above deck.

Any Certina watch with DS in its name refers to the brand’s innovative 1959 Double Security concept. By incorporating a series of O-seal rings on the stem and crown and a reinforced caseback, Certina’s DS system provided the mechanism with armour against external aggressions. Adapted over the years to reflect the latest technical standards, any Certina watch bearing the DS acronym is a guarantee of resilience.

Three models mark the debut of this new line, two with stainless steel bracelets and traditional black or blue dials and our favourite, a sand-coloured dial with black and golden accents and a matching textile strap. The 44.5mm diameter of the brushed 316L stainless steel case is not for the faint of heart and, if I am not mistaken, is the largest watch in Certina’s current lineup. Although the thickness of the case is not provided, it’s probably fair to assume that it shares (at least) the 15.25mm thickness of the retro Certina DS-2 Chronograph since they are both powered by the same movement.

While the Certina DS Action Diver Chrono inherits a dash of the brand’s 1950s instrument watches, its retro spirit is kept in check, compared to the more pronounced vintage vibes of the abovementioned Certina DS-2 Chronograph or the DS Chronograph 1968.

Based on the 43mm DS Action Diver that was updated in 2022, the case retains the muscular crown guards and the screw-down crown and caseback to ensure the 300m water-resistance (compliant with ISO 6425 dive watch specifications). However, the crown guards are now flanked by chronograph pushers. The 60-minute unidirectional rotating bezel has a ceramic insert, an inverted triangle with a luminous pip at noon, and a 15-minute dive scale. The robust DS case features a sporty brushed finish with polished touches on the crown, pushers and caseback with the turtle logo.

The symmetrical dial has two horizontally aligned counters: elapsed chronograph times are displayed in a 30-minute totaliser at 3 o’clock, and the small seconds are at 9 o’clock. The central chronograph seconds hand, with its luminous circle and javelin-shaped tip, indicates a precision track on the periphery for the minutes/seconds. The date window is now at 6 o’clock and has a white background.

The sand-coloured dial really stands out with its elegant matte background and black and golden features. The applied hour markers and the hour and minute hands, for example, have golden frames and white Super-LumiNova. For enhanced legibility, the counters also have a thin golden frame followed by a black track with white markings. The bezel follows suit, and even the rings on the pushers are golden. Paired with a stripy black, yellow and white NATO-style strap made from upcycled plastic (#tide ocean material), the watch looks more compact than its blue and black counterparts with steel bracelets.

Although it is hidden under the caseback, the new DS Action Diver Chrono is powered by an ETA A05.231 automatic chronograph movement, a contemporary update of the famousValjoux 7750of the early 1970s. Also used by sister-brand Tissot, this cam-and-lever operated chronograph has a longer power reserve of 68 hours and is fitted with an anti-magnetic silicon hairspring.

True to its aggressive pricing policies, the Certina DS Action Diver Chrono retails for CHF 1,750 (the models with stainless steel bracelets and dive extensions retail for CHF 1,795). It will be available from all official Certina retailers at the end of July 2024. For more information, please consult certina.com.