One year with my Certina, impressions of it...

[Jockinho]

Well I have own my Certina DS First for one year now and since I couldnīt find a review of it I thought Iīll write one myself.
Well to start, this was my first real watch buy. And when I found it I really thought it was “the only watch I needed”, at least that’s what I told the mistress . But I had wrong…

So here is a little bit information of every part. And just to clear things out, I will sometimes compare it to my Seiko Atlas (SKZ909).

Case design
Well itīs a diver, doesnīt that says it all .

The case has a mixture of polished and brushed steel. Brushed almost everywhere but polished on the edge of the bezelring and on the case back. Personally I prefer brushed steal because it less blingy, so this one works good for me. I also found the case to hold up good against scratches.

Otherwise it have a classic divewatch look and measures about 42 mm excluding the crown. I found this watch really comfortable to wear and the crown isnīt so big so it wontīt dig into your wrist.

Dial, hands and glass
It has a sapphireglass, which in one year hasnīt result in one single scratch. Sure I have been pretty careful with it, but I think it proves sapphires superior to example Seikoīs hardlex crystal (It took me one week to give the glass of my Atlas 2 scratches, even if they are almost invisible itīs still scratches).

The dial is simple and easy to read. But itīs kind of boring and lack depth as for example the Atlas have and I find the color on the dial to be too bright compare to the inner bezel. But on the positive side I think the hands really suit the watch, just simple and clean design.

Bracelet
One reason I really loved this watch when I bought it was for the bracelet (a brushed 20 mm lumpy with polished centerlinks), which I thought was superb. Well the months kept going and for about two months ago I changed to a leather strap instead. Why? Well the bracelet felt to blingy for me, that’s the only reason. Because otherwise I canīt find any bad with it, it looks and feels extremely solid. It donīt weight too much but neither to little. If it weren’t for the polished middle I would have kept it on.

Sure I can always get it brushed, but I donīt think itīs worth it.

Movement
Itīs a quarts. I think that says it all. Extremely accurate, solid and something I would trust if I really need to know the time. Sellers said the battery would last for 10 years so I guess itīs 5 then .

Summary
Well itīs a very nice and solid watch which will probably hold for a decade. And among my watches itīs the one who has rendered the most positive comments.

So would I buy it again...? Unfortunately NO, sure itīs nice in almost every aspect but when you think about that you get 3 Seikos on the Bay for the retailprice I canīt justify it. But luckily these oneīs drops in value quick so you can probably find one for less than 230 dollars and for that price itīs a really good deal. So if you need a solid and true 200m diver, I can recommend it.

Well I have said I regret buying the watch, but can I flip it? The answer is NO. Since this was my first watch I would never sell it, itīs a keeper for sure. And sometimes it do remind me how much I liked it and why I bought it. One of these moments is now…

Hope you enjoyed this review.
// Jocke

(for pictures see thumbnails)

[irongeek]

Hi Jockinho,


How about the lume? How does it compare to a Seiko? I also think of buying that same model due to its DS feature. Although I am thinking of buying either the SS or the Ti.


Thanks in advance!

[MMT]

[HogRider]

I also have a Certina DS. The accuracy is amazing. Built like a tank and I really like the looks of it. The model I have is the Certina DS Action I am thinking of getting the Chrono version of the same model.

My very first "real" watch was a Certina DS (ages ago) and Certina has been one of my favorite watch brands since...

[asadtiger]

I also have a Certina DS. The accuracy is amazing. Built like a tank and I really like the looks of it. The model I have is the Certina DS Action I am thinking of getting the Chrono version of the same model.

My very first "real" watch was a Certina DS (ages ago) and Certina has been one of my favorite watch brands since...

I have this DS action and I just love it!..very very well built, feels great on the wrist and looks killer too :)

[asadtiger]

Hi Jockinho,


I also think of buying that same model due to its DS feature.

I have a DS action that I just posted a pic of ..its chrono but I dont understand that line..what is the DS feature?..please elaborate and help increase my awareness of this amazing brand..thnks :)

[systud]

The other day my Mom and I ran into the above-mentioned Certina DS First, and we were attracted by it, deciding to have one. But when I surfed the Internet, I fell in love with Certina DS 1. Bewildered, I ain't know which one is better for me. Anyone can help me choose one? I am 28 years old. Which one suits me?

http://www.certina.com/Collection/Ge...2-67.aspx?pi=1
http://www.certina.com/Collection/Ge...1-00.aspx?pi=0

[Artonthewrist]

Wow,

That is a real looker you have got there, I would not sell it either if I was you. It really presents well and I love the bezel with the raised indices very sharp and smart looking congrats wear it in good health, oh and I am curious about the lume as well.

Best to you,
Dan

[vertigo]

If you re looking for good prices on Certina's watches, i found after a long time on internet a spanish AD in Zaragoza, Spain,
I bought him a ds 1 automatic (the bracelet is the same as Omega 2254.50)
at 375 Euro all included instead of current retail of 490 Euro by Certina itself.
I'm in Italy and they don't have any AD here (neither in France) so it's the reason why i had to to buy it on internet.
Seller is very cool and i had it shipped in less than a week (17th to 23th december 2008)
www.horademoda.com
check the prices, i don't know if it s interesting for U.S buyers (250 euro for ds first)
http://www.horademoda.com/certina-fi...ero-p-921.html
a picture to show that he s a fair seller ;)