Certina DS Powermatic 80 introduction – Retro, that (hopefully) succeeded

Tags: Presentation | Certina | Men's | Classic | Retro | Traditional

7.12.2021 | 4 MIN

Fall nostalgia is probably slowly taking over watch brands as well. To our delight, Certina has recently introduced an interesting piece inspired by a model from its own past, thus expanding the popular Heritage line. Introducing: Certina DS Powermatic 80.

Many traditional watch brands incorporate models to display their own history. Certina, whose story began in 1888, is no exception. For Certina, it would be a shame not to boast of often magnificent vintage pieces. That's why the Heritage series, in which we find these models, is so popular.

And no wonder. Combining modern elements with Certina's heritage usually works out for the best. And so far, it seems that the new Certina DS Powermatic 80 will also meet these "standards." This time, however, it will not be a faithful re-edition of a historical model, but a watch made rather "on the motifs" of the model. And which one is it?

The inspiration is not obvious when you first look at it.

In December of the last year (2020), we enjoyed the successful Certina DS Chronograph Automatic here in Hodinky. The watch won us over with the workmanship, thoughtful details, and beautiful retro design, faithfully based on the models introduced in the second half of the 1940s.

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Are you saying you don't see the inspiration at first glance. I admit that the similarity of retro chronographs with the new DS Powermatic 80 didn't seem as obvious as I would have imagined with the "inspired" model. However, that's not necessarily wrong.

Photo: with kind permission from monochrome-watches.com

The new watch presents a much cleaner, more versatile look without the busy elements that come with the chronograph (stopwatch) function. It also lost the tachymetric and telemetric scales and the simple, blue-plated hands (which, in my opinion, is a shame). Instead, it received elegant hands with a fine layer of luminescence. Interesting new design elements are the luminescent points located behind the faceted arrow-shaped indices.

Some color variants of the DS Powermatic 80 refer to the original blue hands with at least a blue-plated second hand. Photo: with kind permission from monochrome-watches.com

Not missing, however, is convex sapphire glass with an anti-reflective layer, which prevents possible reflections. We were already excited about this feature in the original chronograph, and I am glad we get to see it again in the new DS Powermatic 80.

"The chronograph function, which was essential to the usage of the telemetric and tachymetric scale, raised the height of the original movement, therefore, it was necessary for the dial and the glass to "bulge out". This detail is nowadays more used to give a "retro" impression."– Agáta, editor of Hodinky 365

A much more common material for retro watches with convex glass is plastic (which in some cases is used even by Certina) – remember, for example, the successful 1960s diving Certina DS PH200M watch).

Certina also preserved the relative robustness and the shape of the steel case. The lugs (at least according to the photos) also copy the original. Similar to the original chronograph, we can be also surprised by the relatively large diameter of the case (for a retro piece). DS Action has a diameter of 41 mm, which is undoubtedly a modern size, but I have to ask: am I the only one who, when looking at the photos, expected (and was kind of hoping for) a 38mm size? However, it is still a relatively small watch, and it must be acknowledged that the demand for watches with 41mm is undoubtedly greater.

Easy strap replacement and successful versatility

And since it has a smaller size, it can be characterized as a dress watch – which, of course, applies to the leather strap versions.

There are a total of six models: three with a leather strap, three with a textile NATO strap in earthy autumn colors, which give the watch a more casual touch. The straps are easily replaceable, so you can change the appearance of the watch according to your mood. The span of the lugs is 20 mm, which is a standard value. The number of straps you will be able to get to the new Certina is therefore inexhaustible.

Renowned Certina durability and practicality

Anyone who knows the Swiss Certina can no longer be surprised by the durability of literally every watch in the collection. The so-called DS concept – a set of measures to increase durability can be found in all watches of this brand. Certina makes no exceptions or compromises for its vintage models, so the new DS Powermatic 80 includes a water resistance of 100 M (the watch is suitable for swimming), a reinforced sapphire crystal, a sealing ring on the crown shaft, a double crown seal, and a reinforced case back with a special seal.

Inside, there is an automatic Powermatic 80 movement with a Nivachron fiber. It is a modern material that supports accuracy and has better resistance to magnetic fields and temperature changes, which Certina stocks for almost all of its newer watches.

A price tag of around 980 EUR may seem higher. However, if the new DS Powermatic 80 Certina also achieves the quality , as it did with last year's retro chronographs, it will be worth it... But we will judge that when we get it in our hands.