Certina updated its accessibly priced 38 mm divers’ watch, available in five different variations.
The enigmatic Swatch Group-owned watch brand Certina, which returned to the US via the now-defunct Hodinkee shop in 2021, is still widely offered in Europe; however, in the US, availability appears to be limited to Teddy Baladassare, Macy’s, and Dillard’s.
With this new launch, Certina has upgraded its existing DS Action Diver 38mm Powermatic 80 timepiece, with a new ceramic bezel insert replacing the aluminum found on past models. Ceramic will resist scratches far better than aluminum; however, some people may prefer the aluminum insert because it shows wear and has a different appearance, in which case they should opt for the older references.
For some reason, the Certina now lists a thickness of 13.22 mm, whereas the older models are officially listed at 12.2 mm and are priced the same.
The case remains 38 mm in diameter x 45 mm lug-to-lug. It has the same 3Hz automatic caliber 80.611 Powermatic 80 movement, with hacking seconds, manual winding, a quick-set date function, a Nivachron balance spring, and 80 hours of power reserve, so it’s unclear why an extra millimeter was added (perhaps Certina originally excluded the thickness of the sapphire crystal, which some watch brands do).
Like the existing DS Action Diver 38mm Powermatic 80, this watch is water resistant to 300 meters and meets ISO6425:2018 standards. According to Certina, “A divers’ watch is a water-resistant and pressure-resistant wristwatch. Certina tests each and every one of these timepieces in water for three hours, as is required by ISO standard 6425. This standard includes a whole host of demanding criteria that a watch must meet in order to be able to be officially called a “divers’ watch”: A device for preselecting a period of time (e.g., rotating bezel). Readability from 25 cm in complete darkness. Proper functionality in water. Straps, crowns, and other components are resistant to external forces, salt water, and thermal shock. Antimagnetic properties. Water-resistant to the given diving depth plus 25% of this depth. Shock resistance.”
The DS Action Diver 38mm Powermatic 80 features a solid screw in caseback with an embossed turtle emblem in the center, a screw-down crown, a ridged bezel for easier grip, count-up dive 0-60 dive bezel graduations, and a genuine sapphire crystal. The bracelet features quick-release spring bars and comes with a divers’ extension, allowing it to fit over a wetsuit.
The DS Action Diver 38mm Powermatic 80 has been released in five new variations, three in 316L stainless steel (green, black, and two-tone), one in black PVD-coated stainless steel, and one in titanium.
Applied indices, an arrow-tipped hour hand, a long pencil-shaped minute hand, and a lollipop center seconds hand display the time at a glance. A date window is located at 3 o’clock, in place of an hour marker.
Final Thoughts
The Certina DS Action Diver 38mm Powermatic 80 “Ceramic” is not going to outdo a Tudor, Rolex, or Omega dive watch. Still, in the just under/just over $1,000 range (depending on the reference), you’d be hard-pressed to find a better dive watch, even if this is a so-called “department store watch.”
The retail price starts at approximately $990 (CHF 790 ).
(Ref. C048.807.11.051.00 – black dial), (Ref. C048.807.11.091.00 – green dial), (Ref. C048.807.22.041.00 – blue dial, two-tone), (Ref. C048.807.44.051.00 – black dial, titanium), (Ref. C048.807.38.051.00 – black PVD)
Photos by Certina.
