Its retro style and bright orange dial catch everyone’s eye: the striking Certina DS Super PH500M Special Edition is causing a sensation. Dedicated watch fans will surely experience a moment of déja-vu: the latest Certina diver’s watch is inspired by a model from 1968. Numerous functional features, such as the anti-magnetic Nivachron balance spring and water resistance up to 500 meters, make it the ideal underwater companion. The renowned VDST Association of German Sport Divers, which is closely associated with this model, finds this timepiece completely convincing.

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A prominent predecessor: the original watch from the 1960s

Thanks to their water-resistance features, by the end of the 1960s Certina watches had already made a name for themselves around the world. In 1969 they went on a special journey. In the course of the Tektite I underwater experiment, four scientists spent two months living underwater in research tanks. During this time, they wore the Certina DS-2 Super PH500M, brand new at the time, to which they awarded top marks upon conclusion of their stay. In doing so they proved that the DS concept of Double Security, launched ten years previously, had rendered Certina watches reliable partners for all kinds of adventures.

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A worthy upgrade: the new DS Super PH500M, Special Edition

In terms of design the latest Certina diver’s watch remains true to its roots. Particularly striking: the rotating bezel. It cannot be rotated without exerting light pressure, and then only in one direction. This safety feature is designed to prevent any accidental change to the running dive time. Today as in the past, the 43 mm watch features a scratch-proof sapphire crystal. A generous coating of luminous material provides clarity, while the screw-down case back and screw-down crown render the watch water-resistant up to 500 meters. The orange dial is also inspired by the historic Certina diver’s watch and lends the contemporary re-edition a character all its own – along with optimal legibility. The watch is worn with a black rubber strap featuring a decorative wave pattern, and with a separate diver’s extension.

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State of the art mechanical heart

Ticking inside the timepiece, which conforms to the ISO 6425 standard for diver’s watches, is a modern Powermatic 80 automatic movement featuring a power reserve up to 80 hours. Its latest incarnation is even more impressive due to greater reliability and precision: thanks to its new Nivachron balance spring it remains immune to the influence of magnetic fields – a decisive advantage both when diving and in everyday use. This represents an additional and extremely timely safety measure and enhancement of the classic DS concept.

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In good company: partnership with the VDST

The Association of German Sport Divers (Verband Deutscher Sporttaucher, VDST) was founded in 1954. With 100 diving schools and dive centers, 17 regional sport diving associations and a total of 83,701 members, it is among the largest and oldest non-profit sport diving associations in the world. Certina and the VDST are connected through their shared love of the underwater world, a long history in sports diving and the search for maximum reliability. All these elements can be found as well in the new DS Super PH500M Special Edition – a model that Certina is launching in cooperation with the VDST. Thus the high-contrast orange dial was chosen in response to an explicit request by experienced divers, and the VDST logo engraved on the case back. All VDST members who purchase this watch can claim an exclusive set of additional straps: a black NATO strap with Klett closure of standard length, and an extra-long version that fits easily over the sleeve of a drysuit. This guarantees that the Certina DS Super PH500M can pursue and renew the underwater adventures of its historic predecessor.

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Certina DS Super PH500M Special Edition

Technical specifications:

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·      Reference: C037.407.17.280.10

·      Movement: ETA Powermatic 80.611 automatic movement with Nivachron balance spring, Swiss Made, hours, minutes, seconds, date

·      Power reserve: up to 80 hours

·      Case: Stainless steel 316L, unidirectional rotating bezel with pressure protection; 43 mm diameter, VDST engraving on screw-down case back

·      Dial: Orange; hands and indexes with Super-LumiNova coating; date at 3 o‘clock

·      Water resistance: Diver’s watch according to ISO 6425 – water resistant to 500 m

·      Glass: Anti-reflective sapphire crystal

·      Strap: Black rubber strap with separate diver extension and pin buckle closure VDST members receive additional two black NATO straps with Klett closure (regular and extra-long)

·      Special features: DS (Double Security), modelled after historic predecessor, Powermatic 80 movement with Nivachron balance spring, launched in collaboration with VDST

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The price for the Certina DS Super PH500M Special Edition is CHF 895.

For more information please visit Certina Online.