The Best Mid-Size Swiss Dive Watch Under $1,000 - Certina DS Action Diver 38mm
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- Опубликовано: 21 мар 2023
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In this video, I take a look at the Certina DS Action Diver 38mm, an ISO-certified mid-size dive watch from a brand with impeccable diving pedigree. For me, this is one of the best options for a smaller dive from Switzerland offering professional specifications. What do you guys think of Certina?
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I’m wearing this piece right now. It gained 65 seconds in 3 months, more precise than my omega 8800 movement
No way wow
My grandfather left me his Certina Town and Country from 1963 when he passed a couple of years ago and after servicing it, it's running like new and I wear it almost every day. Just like you said, Certina is very common here in Sweden for instance. Great video!
Certina är toppen, jag håller med!.
Japp Certina är guld!! Kvalitet som håller med rimligt pris
Glad to see Certina finally getting the attention it so deserves! I had a DS Action 38mm bought online pre-owned, I sold it after a few months because I feel 38mm is too small for my wrist, but I absolutely adore the specs for the price and would like to own one in the future. Excited to see Teddy getting the authorized dealer and bring the watch to the USA!
One thing I do hope Certina can do is to launche some 39mm-42mm dive watches to cover the range between 38mm and 43mm.
Currently own one, and it certainly punches high above its weight. This 38mm variant fits perfectly on my
Yes! So glad to see you cover this - it's my watch and my 'proper' entry into the hobby. Love it.
I bought the blue as my first Swiss automatic for my 25:th birthday, just this weekend! Here in Sweden I would say that Certina is one of the more established Swiss brands, and I’m loving it!
I just got this in titanium. Really satisfied with what I'm getting for the money. Titanium version especially has its own style to it with the turqoise markers.
Finally a review appreciating the history and attributes of this brand. I've own a DS Action Diver CO13407A black dial for several years now and despite its size, 43mm, it looks great on my 6.5" wrist. Great review Teddy.
Own the blue one for almost 2 years now. It is indeed a really safe choice for small dive watch. I've worn it everywhere, dive twice, and it still in very good condition. The diving experience was very good, mainly for the bright lume pip and the size on wrist. It will follow you and all the beating you can do. Grab it and live !
Greetings from France !
I have the ds 38 black version as my daily. Love it! I actually Also have a orginal DS from 1969 that my grandfather bought, never serviced and still runs like a champ!
Great review Teddy! It was a brilliant move to pickup the Certina line for your store in the US. This brand is so under the radar in the US and offers incredible value. I own two Certina DS Action Divers in 43mm (previous blue version and titanium version), but I had to purchase them from Europe a couple years ago. I love them. They are my absolute go to for swimming and watersports. The sunray burst dials look incredible in the sun and having something over engineered for the purpose gives me piece of mind. I am not sure the current 43mm versions with the ceramic bezels still use the sunray burst dials. Something else I never hear mentioned about these watches is the anti-reflective coating. It's incredible on both my watches. I have never seen another watch anywhere near the level of these. At most viewing angles I can't see any reflection and it appears there is no crystal at all. It looks like you can reach in and touch the dial. It's a shame Cerina didn't use the same micro adjustable clasp on the 38mm as they did on the 43mm. That's a much better clasp.
I started with a Certina and a Swatch,back in the early 90-s. Fast forwad, I have since become a watchmaker, watchcollector and when somebody ask me what to buy for around 1-2000 €, I always say CERTINA.
When this Certina 38 mm was released, I ordered one ASP!!!
I have the green one and just love the size and how comfortable it is. As many of us know,as soon as you are around 41-44 mm,the watches get very ofter,very difficult and oncomfortable to wear.
So......Certina is "The shit" in this pricerange and the brand is REALLY COOL!!!
I own this watch since a few weeks and I'm absolutely blown away by the looks, comfort and quality. It quickly became my favorite everyday pick. Highly recommended!
same with my podium ds for me. hidden gem of a company
What color?
@@pin75us1 Black! I felt like the green was way too bright. Blue was just as beautiful as the Black one.
welchen Handgelenk Umfang hast du? Ich habe 16,5cm und bin unsicher, ob sie passen wird. Ist schon bestellt und ich warte gespannt. (in black)
@@John_Gloehr I have exactly 16.5 too. Fits perfectly!
I own the DS Action in the 43mm version. If you don't have too small wrists, you should definitely buy this watch: it has a ceramic bezel and the strap is much better because it has excellent fine adjustment.
My wife has the 38 model as a bi-color in green/black/gold.
Certina makes great watches at a fantastic value.
I've had a Certina DS Action titanium for a few years, it's probably my favorite watch.
Finally a little bit more appreciation for the DS Action Diver 38mm 🙌🏼
I’ve owned it for nearly a year now. It’s a great everyday watch. Especially the 38mm make it super versatile. Other Pros are the thickness and the power reserve.
Cons: the clasp. The diver extension looks and feels a little cheap. And the two micro-adjustments are just not enough. Too bad they didn’t use a similar clasp like the one of the DS Action Diver in 43mm.
Cheers from Germany
Agree! I will never understand why they didn't just carry-over the clasp/sliding extension from their 43 mm model to the 38 mm.
Welche Farbe hast du ausgewählt? Schwanke zwischen der grünen und der Gold-grünen
Agree. I will never understand why the clasp only has two damn micro adjustments. Why the F would you do that as a brand? SMH
It only has 2 because of the diver's extension. The clasp has no space for another hole. They'd have to make the clasp longer. I think the clasp from the 43mm version would be too bulky and big for the 38mm case and that's probably why they didn't use it. But sure, like most I'd also like if they found a way to get more micro adjustments or the on-the-fly system. But I don't think the current claps is bad. The milled parts are impeccably finished at least. I've seen some rough finishing on various clasps with other brands, even from the Swatch group. And the two holes and half-links are probably enough to get a nice fit.
@@cdigital9392 it is an ISO certified diver's watch - that means thay they even test it over the claimed rating. A 300m watch is tested to 375, as an example. And they give you card stating that. Certina has plenty of heritage and history in terms of diving. You can take it underwater. They are serious tools.
Certina owner here! I have the blue DS PH200M and I love it. It’s my daily wearer, I love how it looks and the accuracy at its worst is +15 seconds. The nato strap showed wear on it after a year and a half of wearing about every day, which is to be expected. For me, it’s perfect and I highly recommend the brand!
Hi Teddy. I've had one since they were released. I needed a smaller diver due to my wrist size. I live right here in the USA. I bought mine from the UK and had it shippped. I love it. Looks and fits me perfect.
I’ve been waiting for this review Teddy 😃 Thank you!
Here in Sweden Certina is a big watch brand! I’ve been eyeing this watch a couple of years but haven’t bought it yet. Probably my next purchase. It’s a fantastic watch for the money!
Omg! Finally. I was dying for you to upload a video on this watch. I'm going to get one this week!
Great article on dive watches in your link, really enjoyed reading through that, thanks.
My wife gifted me my first certina yesterday for my birthday I really love it thanks wifey❤
I have a certina chronograph which I absolutely love. I got it for around 500 USD and if has everything you'd need in a watch. Its got great finishing and sapphire crystal, 100th of a second timekeeping (yes 100th, the big seconds hand looks crazy going that fast) along with a 12 hour totalizer. Most watches this price only have 30 or 60 minute counters. Also 100m wr!
Ich bin super glücklich mit meiner schwarzen Certina DS Action Diver 38. Mein Handgelenk hat 16,5cm Umfang. Die passt hervorragend und ist äußerst angenehm zu tragen. Ich hatte sie 3 Wochen sogar Nachts an. In dieser Zeit lief sie +/-0 am Tag. Wahnsinn. Sie ist sehr robust und bietet für das Geld am meisten Uhr. (Ich konnte sie für 680€ kaufen) Ich liebe diese Uhr am meisten, obwohl ich noch teurere Uhren besitze.
I have a few vintage certina dive watches from the 50s/70s. Love them! Cheers from Portugal Teddy
I'm SO HAPPY Certina has featured on your channel Teddy. I love Certina, here's why. I have a DS PH200M 2020 and with this you get; genuine dive heritage DNA, ETA Powermatic 80 (mine +4sec/day), Ceramic bezel, sapphire (front and back), 20mm lugs and it looks amazing on bracelet, leather or NATO. I paid 25% below retail in UK £652. It's not a status symbol, it's an enthusiasts symbol. More Certina content please!
I have a blue 38mm bought back in October from Jomashop.
Absolutely love it. Thanks for finally naming a video on this brand.
I remember when I was a small boy in the 60 th Certina was a top seller in my home town in Luxembourg.
Moien! I lived in Bettembourg for a year. Small world.
I've managed to check this out from an AD here in the Philippines and it really feels as solid as it can get and more for the money. 38-39mm are hard to come by in this range and it's awesome to see a storied brand taking a stab at it and succeeding. My first "real" watch was a Certina purchased 10 years ago and still part of my rotation and it's really offering some great value. And finally, thanks for an in depth review, looking to get one soon 😅
I've had a DS Action chrono for about 7 years now. Great quality and a good looking watch. It has been my go-to watch since then.
I don't have this model but I do have the Certina PH200m. Definitely a more quirky retro look to it, love wearing it. Come with a decent leather strap but for some reason no bracelet offering. I put a black tropic strap on, looks very good & completes the vintage vibe.
Hey Teddy, by chance I looked at these today at my local AD. I actually went to look at the 39mm Longines Hydroconquest, s/s in black on a black rubber strap, which I loved. The Certina looks to have similar build and finish quality, the specs are very close and the dial is also strikingly clear. Its just less than half the price of the Longines. There's also a lovely grey-ish titanium version with pale turquoise lume dots etc, which I think will suit my wife, so I may well buy the two instead of the Longines. Great review, btw.
Finally you got to the Certina reviews. Thanks, great video. And congratulations on the start of sales of this brand!
You nailed it Teddy. This is a great case size and thickness for my 6.5” wrist, and great price point for my wallet.
I have worn the black one for about a year now and it is my daily wearer. This isn’t just comfortable, it literally disappears on my 7 inch wrist. I wear it on a brown leather strap. I think if Certina makes a few tweaks it would be almost perfect: change lug width to 20mm, brushed crown for more traction, stronger lume. Last one is a personal preference but drilled lugs would be great!
This is on my radar as it's one of the few diving watches with a diameter that is in proportion to my small wrist. Really like the green dial+bezel. I'm also very pleased with the Powermatic 80 movement on my Tissot PRX and Le Locle watches as they've proved to be quite accurate.
Great to see this watch get some love, always found it strange it never popped up on lists.
Had the blue dial for a year now and it is an absolute peach, really comfortable and the size is perfect. If I had to pick any negative I'd say the clasp isn't top end but for the money, of you're after a smaller diver, this takes some serious beating.
Nice one, Teddy. I've got the black dial variant which I picked up here in the UK for around £525 on sale. It's a great watch, excellent value for money. It wears perfectly on my 6.5" wrist and I've got no complaints whatsoever, I think you covered any weaker points and luckily they aren't areas of importance to me e.g. 19 mm lug width.
Fellow UK-er here!, I got the Certina DS-2 on a mesh and I am blown away with the quality offered for what I paid, fantastic brand.
I got a DS-4 small seconds for silly money brand new, end of line sale. Love it and my five other Certinas. A lot of UK / euro airport shops have them.
Where did you get it?
I love this watch. Waited for this review for many months. I think Teddy will have much fun in doing reviews of new Certina watches as they are very good quality watches and have nice history.
I just bought the black version from your site. This is the watch I have been looking for. A subtle dive watch at 38mm that I can wear with just about anything. Also wanted a watch with a good heritage behind it. Thanks for the review!
Thanks for the video Teddy, we do see this brand in the UK but it’s still not well known really. I tried one of these on in a store recently and was impressed, though I did end up getting a Seiko 5 instead 😂 Just for the saving really, plus it’s an orange face Seiko which really grabbed my attention.
I’ve had the black dialed on my wrist since a year and it’s just the perfect no nonsense tool watch: No flashy dial, compact and really well proportioned. Boring? Maybe, but you never have to think twice when you put it on in the morning.
I own the 43mm in blue. purchased last year in Lucerne, Switzerland. Very happy with my watch. Excellent value for the money.
I live in the US and I have a DS-PH 200M in Black PVD, I believe it’s the same movement as these.
I love that watch, I got it as a present and it’s my stealth travel watch, I swapped the suede strap that it came with for a tropic strap.
The watch keeps time well, looks nice dressed up or down, and it accompanied me to scatter my grandfather’s ashes in a lake in Central America, Certina’s slogan is “count on me” and it fit that situation very well, I wouldn’t count on any other watch to complete that task.
I’ll put my Certina on the same level as my Black Bay any day of the week. Thanks for bringing these stateside, Teddy.
PS Certina is also big in Mexico 🇲🇽
Thanks for yet another inspiring video. Living in Sweden, Certina is very well known. A fun fact is that the brand has a interesting story as sponsor in F1, WRC, skiing etc. My current collection includes a DS1 and the green 38 mm featured in your review. Great watch 👍🏻
My mother has a Certina ladies watch in gold, dating from the 1960s, she loves it. Still looks and works perfectly
Solid pieces! Thank you.
Hi Teddy, I'm from the UK and have had hands on with this model, on paper this seemed like the perfect dive watch for me. I picked the black one in 38mm but ended up selling it within 2 weeks, I just didn't like how it wore at all, I found the effective lug to lug way too long considering the smaller case size. The problem I that I quickly identified is that the male end links don't downturn much and the case is really quite flat meaning the bracelet didn't drape around the my 6.5 inch wrist, this gave it a somewhat rectangular and awkward appearance so it's not one I bonded with.
It's funny how something can seem ideal from photos and videos but differ so much in person, I assumed the wearing experience would somewhat echo my Seiko SPB143 and considering I own much larger divers I guessed this would be a safe bet but this wasn't the case. I regularly wear a Seiko Turtle and Orient Triton power reserve, which measure 44.3mm & 43.4mm respectively and these conform to the wrist beautifully, I've considered looking at the 43mm model which has a gorgeous ceramic bezel insert but the relatively flat case shape and male end links appear again in this model so I've written the idea off.
That said, the watch itself was really fantastic in terms of specification and build quality, if you've got a wrist of 7.0 inch plus, or just quite flat wrists I don't think the effective lug to lug would be an issue and I would recommend giving it a shot. It's just a shame that Certina decided to go with male endlinks and 19mm lug width which greatly reduces the compatibility with other bracelets and straps.
Finally Teddy reviews my favorite brand 😄🐢👍 thank you Teddy! Wearing the DS-1 big date right now
Great review as usual Teddy. On the strength of your review I have just ordered the blue version, so I’m really keen to get it in the next week.
You converted me to Hamilton, when I bought a 38mm Murph. So I’m enjoying being able to buy slightly under the radar watches and it helps me decide where I want my collection to go from here. 👍
Have had mine for just uder a year now and I LOVE it!
From Sweden and here they are regular or a common watch brand. I bhought one today and I like it alot atm.
Feels solid and good quality. This is my first automatic watch never had one before. The size is good since
I have smaller wrist like 6.3 or such.
I have several modern and classic Certina watches in my collection. Love the brand.
I own the two tone gold and steel blue face, 38mm. 30th bday present, and blown away. Very accurate, around 3 seconds a day. Feels solid, very comfortable. Would recommend to anyone. Only critism as the dive clasp (which i dont use) feels a bit cheap. Thanks for the great vids. Would to see a comparison of this watch vs longines Hydroconquest
Thank you. Back to normal. No noise in the background.
I have the two tone (Gold & blue) this watch is amazing! I ordered mine on Chrono 24. I like everything about this watch. Looks very elegant, I wish the lume was brighter other than that the watch is just fine I highly recommend it to anyone out there that is looking for a great watch.
Certina is my favorite watch for any situation that involves a risk of shock or water. I do own three of them the ds 4 day-date, the ds2 and now the new DS action diver titanium 38 mm. It is the Jeep Willys of watches if you're American, or Volvo if you're European. I'm impressed by the precision of the powermatic 80 , the least precise I do have, +5 sec/ day, and the most , my DS action 25 sec/a month!
Ive had a DS chrono since 2011. Its been throw hell and back, beaten, dropped, swimming in the ocean, taken sauna baths - and even forgotten once -only to see it go throw a full program in the washing machine. It still looks awesome on my wrist, and works perfect. Its simply spelled quality.
With that experience i was comfortable enougj buying yet another Certina: two toned (blue and gold) 43 mm action diver powermatic. And man, its just stunning. + sec/ month.
Certina is very underrated for the design and its quality they provide. I owe a DS Nautic since 27 years and i have smashed the bezel back in the days while skateboarding. It scratched hard on a curb and i have had just a small mark at the bezel. Works ever since with no problems. And the 38 mm case is still awesome to wear on my tiny wrist :). If you wanna start into the watch world and your budget is tight but you wanna get great design and great quality i would invest into Certina with no doubt. And in Switzerland where i grew up it is a very well respected brand.
I own a Certina DS Nautic Chronograph. It’s a quartz but I find it so unique, charming, and accurate!
I've worn a full size one for 2 years. The Powermatic80 in it gains less than 30seconds a month.
Agree, the ETA movement is great. I have it in 2x watches (both Tissot) and the accuracy is right up there.
My powermatics are fantastic
I've been really happy with the Cert DS-4 I picked up on sale. It's my favorite GADA watch.
Legit review. I have been waiting on a USA dealer to handle. Kudos for getting this brand.
I bought a ds podium in 38mm, because its not a diver it has a slim bezel and a much bigger dial than any of my 42mm divers. Built really well, powermatic 80 also. Bought it in Black friday sale 2021 and wore it solid until the clocks went forward next year and it was 10 seconds slow. Since then its not been as good averaging -4s a day perhaps something to do with temperature but it's still within COSC although it make no caims to be. I would happily buy another.
Yeah, I got a few Certinas in my collection. They also makes some really nice dressier stuff. Probably the most common swiss watch brand in Scandinavia.
My brother has the 43mm and it’s very impressive. Especially for the grey market 600$ price he gave. The clasp on the 43 is way better than on this 38 which is disappointing for those of us with smaller wrists. I’d love to get my hands on the dark titanium version of this 38
I got a DS1 as my first Swiss watch. Absolutely love it. Been looking at the Action Diver recently too. But I am tempted by the new Bulova Lunar Pilot Panda. I'm going to have to choose unfortunately.
I brought a Certina DS Chrono from 2022. Unbelievable value and retro design, curve sapphire crystal and looks amazing on my blue / silver strap
I've got a couple Ds2 chronographs. They are some of the best finished watches I have and are incredibly reliable. Honestly, I haven't even considered wearing any of my other swiss watches.
Great review. I love Certina. I can't wait until Teddy reviews the Certina DS-2 . I see it in the same space as the Longines Conquest 39mm.
Good looking right sized diver. Thank you Teddy!
Thank you teddy, I've been looking for a dive watch with a max diameter of 40mm and good specs under a thousand for months so This came in right in time before digging deep in my wallet for the 39mm longines hydroconquest.
I got a quartz Certina, from around 1970 I would say, from my partner's grandfather when he passed away. When I got my first job I spent my first paycheck on a Certina dress/everyday watch and I will never sell it. It looks awesome, wears great (39mm case), time keeping is good, the lume is bad but you can't expect much from dress watch. The craftsmanship on Certina watches is awesome; I would go as far as saying it's better than most Tissots.
I definitely recommend the brand.
A great video of this well made versatile timepiece. I agree that it may not be the best size for a diver’s watch, but the 38mm case does allow the wearer to enjoy it even with formal attire. On the topic of Certina’s popularity in Europe, personally, I would place the brand right next to Tissot and Longines.
I own 2 Certina watches. The DS-1 and the DS Podium Precisiondrive GMT. Nice quality watches, very good for everyday wear. I prefer Certina over Tissot, Doxa, Mido and others that are in the same price range.
Love my Certina DS Action Diver..my first automatic watch.😊
Wearing mine now and I LOVE IT
Love my 38mm two tone. Runs and looks great.
I’m wearing my Blue DS - Fantastic watch!
Nice video Teddy! I’ve been waiting for this. Do you think you will cover the 43 mm since they are different colors ?
If you check out Certina ads from the 1940s through the 1960s they always highlighted durability. They also provided automatic movements for Hamilton in the 1950s. I have played golf with a 1960 Hamilton with the Certina automatic movement no problems.
I remember buying the ds furious in orange on a bracelet and 3 months after I bought the blue one on a strap
Still have them....
I think certina are making a great comeback
Between this and Christopher Ward C60 Trident Pro 300 38mm, I would go for the latter, but happy to hear your thoughts!
Newer one which is 43mm has really good bracelet, with fast diver extension. It's not great, but it's good for price range. Dial is nothing special, but it's doing the job. Ceramic bezel is nice addition too. Check it out!
Proud DS owner, honestly can’t fault it for the price range, also one of the most visually pleasing dive watches ever made imo.
This watch is one heck of a watch, the wearability is fantastic ( have the Green one ) quality is top 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻.. and this size has gone under the radar of many YT.. look at Bravebeaters review 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻.. I love it. And it has 300m being just 12.1 thick that’s fantastic.. thanks for a nice review Teddy
I had DS Action for 7 years. I had it on my wrist every day all day. Unfortunately I've lost it. I was so impressed with look and feel of the watch and a fact that you can wear it for almost any occasion and a quality of the watch for that price that I'll be getting new DS Action in the next few days. Only thing that bothered me at the beginning (since I've moved from Quartz to automatic movement) is that I've needed to correct time once in 2-3 weeks.
I own this watch, I wear it a couple of times a week and I've been taken it to dives and some other adventures. The price and quality are amazing.
Très bonne marque merci pour cette revue 👍🏻. Peut-être une future revue sur l'exeptionnelle DS2 ?
Love your work Teddy, was wondering, could you do a video on Seiko's new Solar Power GMT Diver?
I own the green and I love it. The fact that this is an ISO certified diver to 300m, at 38mm makes it a one-of-a-kind watch these days. I just wish they made them with ceramic, like on the bigger 43mm models. The 43mm are pretty much perfect, except for the size.
I bought the green one since one year… Now I am thinking about to buy the blue one to. I like much the design, seems very similar to bb58 to me. I think overall it is a great value for money.
Thank you so much for this amazing video! Just ordered the watch now and can’t wait to get it on the wrist. Still can’t believe the power reserve that you get out of this thing tho.
They also do a titanium version with a blue hint on the lume, very tempting!
Great video Teddy. Will you be offering more colors on your website? I really like the gold & green combo.
Have mine on now. Very accurate❤
Well done, Teddy!
I have the 43mm Sea Turtle Conservancy and it is the best fitting watch in my collection 👊🏾🐢
I'm so glad you finally made a video on Certina. I have the 43mm Action Diver in Ceramic green. They are criminally overlooked and underrated. Certina should seriously make them more available to people all around the world.
The titanium with the gray dial and blue lume looks great