The New Certina DS Super PH1000M, A Cool 1970s-Inspired Dive Watch

Certina has quite the legacy in the realm of diving watches, and in recent years, a few standout models like the DS Super PH500M, the DS PH200M, and the DS Action Diver have grabbed our attention for their killer looks, quality and accessible pricing. The latest addition to the family, the Certina DS Super PH1000M, draws inspiration from a famous 1970s model, delivering a contemporary spin on the original design with a much-improved movement. Let’s dive into the details – not for comparison, but to relish the new Certina DS Super PH1000M timepieces.

Timepieces, yes, as this new model offers an orange dial option in a limited edition and a black version with orange elements as part of the permanent collection. But before we explore the aesthetics, let’s start with the case. Crafted from stainless steel, the distinctive 1970s-born curved barrel-shaped case boasts a solid 43.5mm x 42mm size – a good size for a diver’s watch. The fluted, unidirectional bezel with the black aluminium ring exudes the confidence of a professional instrument, heightened by its raised design. Graduated in 5-minute increments, the black ring features Super-LumiNova marks and numerals, with a triangle marker at 12 o’clock.

Don’t miss the helium escape valve on the side at 9 o’clock – a must-have for deep-sea diving, preventing potential risks during decompression by allowing helium, which quickly gets inside with high pressure, to escape. Certina offers the automatic release valve version, seamlessly opening and closing based on pressure differentials, ensuring convenience and peace of mind for deep-diving enthusiasts. The ribbed screw-down crown makes for easy handling, and with the sapphire crystal topping it off, the case guarantees water resistance up to 100 bar, making it suitable for dives up to 1,000 meters.

Now, onto the dial – whether orange or black, the geometric white indices and hands pay homage to the 1970s predecessor, all coated with Super-LumiNova. The dial features the brand’s logo, model name, Swiss-made, and a date window at 3 o’clock. For those sceptical about the date indication on a divers’ (or any other watch) watch, consider the context – the historical predecessor of the original Certina DS-2 Super PH1000M was used in the 1970 Tektite II programme, which saw five aquanauts living and researching in a diving base on the seabed for 10 to 20 days, subject to the psychological study of the scientific teams working in closed and restricted environments. Imagine being locked up in a small room with four colleagues for three weeks. You’d want to know the date to calculate the days left before release to freedom, wouldn’t you?

You’d also want a reliable movement to run your watch. The new Certina DS Super PH1000M is powered by the Swatch Group’s now standard automatic movement, the Powermatic 80, offering an impressive 80-hour power reserve, operating at a frequency of 21,600vph, and equipped with a magnetic field-resistant Nivachron balance spring.

Certina offers the DS Super PH1000M with a black rubber strap or a textile strap made of #tide ocean material, closed with a pin buckle. The limited edition with an orange dial is priced at CHF 970, while the equally attractive black dial edition is even more budget-friendly at CHF 910. For more details, check out certina.com.