Introduction of Certina Heritage DS-2 Powermatic 80 – Swiss Retro Turtles

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

10.2.2022 | 6 MIN | 3x comment

In the slang of the watch industry, "turtles" stands for Seiko Turtle. This nickname was given to the watch because of the tonneau case, which was popular with many watch brands from the second half of the '60s. Certina is one of these brands. That's why it has decided to revive its older sport watches DS-2 and add new models of the Certina DS-2 Powermatic 80 "Turtle" to the Heritage Collection.

Certina has announced this piece of news at the end of January 2022. For now, we can look forward to four colour variants. One with a steel mesh bracelet with black dial (ref. C024.407.11.051.00) and three with a textile strap with silver dial (ref. C024.407.18.031.00), sunburst brushed dark dial (ref. C024.407.18.081.00), and with blue dial (C024.407.18.041.00).

The price for the Czech Republic has not been announced yet, but the price abroad starts at € 870 for the models with synthetic straps, and € 940 for the steel ones. They should be available in February/March 2022.

The Certina Heritage DS-2 in four colour versions.

Historical background

Before we talk about the new Heritage DS-2, let us have a look at the history behind the watch.

Certina introduced the DS-2 watch collection to the market in 1968. It picked up where the DS-1 left off in 1959, when the Double Security Concept, which is famous and used even today, appeared. According to an article in the Certina Echo magazine from 1968, around 300 000 DS Certina watches were sold in under a decade.

The Certina Echo magazine from 1968. Photo: Certina

The DS-2 has brought a few changes. Technical, and design. The characteristic design of the watches was a barrel-shaped case, à la turtle. The diameter of the case was 38.5 mm, distance from lug to lug 42 mm. Measurements, which we would consider to be either retro or women's today. However, during the '70s, these measurements were the standard for men's watches.

The diameter of the case of DS-2 was 38.5 mm. Photo: www.wristchronology.com

DS-2 watches have also brought some technological innovations. What's important is that even then, high water resistance and impact resistance were one of the top priorities. For example, the crown was partially protected by two O-ring seals, which is a system still in use today in the DS Concept.

To ensure better fixation of the movement, Certina used stronger screws and a shock-absorbing, elastic, protective rubber ring, which is shown in this picture:

Photo: www.vintagecertinas.ch

When the watches were just introduced, there were 15 variants of dials. The cases were steel, or gold-plated, or made of 18karat gold with chronometer movements. It wasn't just men's models, women's smaller DS-2 variants were available too. When the production of DS-2 production was coming to an end, dials in bold colours like the Certina DS-2 5801-300 in 1973 had begun appearing.

Certina DS-2 from 1973. Photo: www.wristchronology.com

You could find hand-wound mechanical and automatic movements inside. You could easily recognise watches with automatic movement by the text "automatic" on the dial, but back then, it was also usual that the case back was made wavy for the aesthetics, which the case backs of mechanic watches with hand winding only were flat.

What's interesting is that Certina watches with automatic movements and the date indicator were sometimes called "Certidate," and watches with automatic movements with the date indicator and the day of the week were called "Certiday."

Certina used their own in-house calibres: 25-66 (hand-wound, ref. 5201 300), 25-661 (hand-wound with the date indicator, ref. 5301 300), 26-651 (automatic with the date indicator "Certidate" ref. 5801 300) and the movement 25-652 (automatic with day-date "Certiday" ref. 5901 300). After 1975, improved versions 25-651M and 25-652M were used.

Hand-wound Certina DS-2 from 1968. Photo: www.wristchronology.com

We should also mention that it was the DS-2 PH200M and DS-2 Super PH500M models that made the DS-2 collection famous in the '70s. These models also got their own new edition, which was very nicely done. However, these were watches for divers, and the DS PH 500 M could survive in extreme depths. We wrote about this in their own story:

Retro in the front, modern parameters in the back

The "turtle" DS-2 production was ended in 1976. The re-edition is therefore a reference to the years of 1968 through 1976. This is why we can find the DS-2 Powermatic 80 in the Heritage collection, not in the DS-2 Sport collection.

The design was created according to the template of the original edition to be easily recognised. The polished steel case is shaped like a pillow, and has rounded edges, however, the upper side is flat with a matte, brushed effect. The rectangle hands and indices are there to stay, including the luminescent layer and the date indicator in the position of hour marker 3. Apart from this, Certina has opted for modern parameters.

The glass is sapphire, we need to stress that, because the glass of the successful DS PH200M was hesalite (the later, improved version had sapphire glass, although at the expense of the feeling of authenticity). Plus, the sapphire version has antireflection treatment on both sides to minimize reflections.

Looking at the parameters, Certina has chosen the slightly more modern size of the case (diameter of 40 mm, height 38 mm), which is still a bit smaller than today's standard. This lets the retro style of the watches shine through. The watches will be 12.65 mm thick.

And as the watches will be sporty, water resistance of up to 200 meters is a must, and Certina made sure to use screwed case back and crown.

As expected, the Powermatic 80 is ticking inside, more specifically the 80.611 version with the antimagnetic balance spring made of Nivachron. The automatic movement with hand-winding and hacking has the power reserve of 80 hours, and you can watch it through the see-though case back.

We can also look forward to more modern straps. Three out of four variants come with a textile strap. Ecological on top of that. The material is produced by the Swiss company Tide Ocean Material. To put it shortly, the company recycles plastic, which floats all over the oceans, and turns it into something new – into textile.

From this textile, things like furniture or straps are made. The first Certina watch to use this technology was, I think, the Certina Urban DS-1, and recently also women's Certina DS PH-200M, which were made according to "women's wishes".

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And as Certina has been saying for a long time that it wants to go more ecological and sustainable, we will be seeing this kind of straps a lot more. Speaking from my experience with the said women's watch, I can indeed confirm that it feels very comfortable on wrist and keeps the watch well balanced.

Textile strap by Tide Ocean Material with quick release spring bars.

The fourth variant has a mesh bracelet, which can be made shorter using the buckle (the Heritage DS-1 Big Date has the same one). All straps will be employing the quick release system, no matter the material, so changing the straps will be quick, real-easy.

First and last thoughts

The new Turtle DS-2 Powermatic 80 collection is definitely a nice surprise, which might not make big changes in the watch game, but it will make lovers of retro (and turtle lovers especially) happy.

Even though the watches are built in a modern way with up-to-date materials and the latest movement from the Certina production, they have definitely kept their vintage charm. Mainly thanks to their distinctive case shape and a dial, which looks smaller than it is. The overall simplicity is one of their main advantages.

Looking at this, it might not be a surprise that with fans, the new Turtle DS-2 it will be love at 'longer gazes', rather than 'love at first sight'. And I am certainly looking forward to seeing them side by side with other Heritage models, which Certina has a lot of. One of the latest are the nicely done DS Powermatic 80, which were inspired by even an earlier period of time.

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