Certina

Certina is a Swiss watch brand whose origins date to 1888, when brothers Adolf and Alfred Kurth established a movement and watchmaking-supplies workshop in Grenchen, Switzerland. The business initially concentrated on movements and components for the wider watch industry before gradually adding complete watches. Its early growth included the development of wristwatches, which the company began producing in 1938 at a time when men still commonly favored pocket watches. The brand name Certina was adopted as a trademark in 1938, derived from the Latin word certus, meaning assured or certain. Before that, the company had used the name Grana, a shortened form of Granatus, the Latin name associated with Grenchen. The company expanded substantially during the first half of the twentieth century. By its fiftieth anniversary in 1938, it employed approximately 250 people, and by 1955 its workforce had grown to around 500 employees producing about 1,000 timepieces per day. Further expansion brought employment to roughly 900 people and annual production to approximately 600,000 watches by 1972. Certina also developed a reputation for experimentation. It produced an early spring-driven digital watch in 1936, using rotating numbered discs instead of conventional hands, and introduced the Biostar in 1971, described in reference material as the first watch to display human biorhythms. Certina's defining technical identity emerged in 1959 with the DS, or Double Security, concept. Developed under the leadership of Hans and Edwin Kurth, the system placed the movement within a reinforced case intended to improve resistance to shocks, pressure, and water. The DS concept became the foundation of the brand's sports-watch positioning and remains central to the meaning of many current model names. A DS watch was taken by a mountaineering expedition to Dhaulagiri in the Himalayas, where it reportedly endured changes in altitude and pressure. The company also developed scratch-resistant products, including the DS-DiaMaster, which used tungsten carbide. The Swiss watch industry's structural crisis and the increasing availability of inexpensive Japanese mechanical and quartz watches constrained Certina's independent expansion. In 1971, the owning family joined General Watch Co., an ASUAG sub-holding created to consolidate watchmaking operations. The restructuring included the abandonment of Certina's own calibre manufacturing, and operations were later moved to Biel/Bienne and associated with Edox & Technos. Certina subsequently became part of the organization created through the combination of SSIH and ASUAG. In 1983 it joined SMH, the group that later became The Swatch Group. As part of The Swatch Group, Certina has continued as a Swiss-made watch brand focused on durable sports and lifestyle watches rather than competing primarily as a high-luxury manufacture. Its collections include diving watches, racing-inspired chronographs, automatic watches, urban models, heritage reissues, and sport-oriented quartz and mechanical pieces. Typical technical features include Swiss-made ETA movements, sapphire crystals, 316L stainless steel, titanium on selected models, and water-resistance ratings that can reach 300 metres on certain diving or sports references. The DS Action, DS Podium, DS-1, DS PH200M, DS Super PH500M, and DS Super PH1000M families illustrate the breadth of its current and recent range. Certina has also built visibility through motorsport and motorcycle partnerships. It served as a timekeeper for motorcycle Grand Prix events during the 1990s, worked with figures and organizations connected with motorsport including Colin McRae, Sete Gibernau, and the Sauber Formula One team, and sponsored the World Rally Championship in 2014. In the same period, the company introduced a revised visual identity featuring a turtle symbol, linking the brand to protection from water and shocks. The repositioning was intended to move Certina toward a more premiu…

Certina's history began in 1888 in Grenchen, Switzerland, where Adolf and Alfred Kurth opened a small workshop producing watch movements and supplies. The original operation had only three employees and was connected to the family home. For several years the Kurths supplied movements to other watch businesses rather than concentrating solely on finished watches. Complete timepieces were later added to the business, and the company became increasingly visible as a manufacturer in its own right. The company used the Grana name from 1906. Grana was derived from Granatus, the Latin name associated with Grenchen. In 1938, the business adopted Certina as its export and marketing trademark. The name came from certus, a Latin term conveying certainty or assurance. That year also marked the company's fiftieth anniversary and a workforce of approximately 250 people. Certina had already begun making wristwatches in 1938, initially with a strong emphasis on women's watches because pocket watches remained popular among men. Certina's technical development included an early digital watch in 1936. Rather than using hands, the spring-driven design displayed numerals on rotating discs. In 1955, the company employed about 500 people and produced around 1,000 timepieces each day. Its growth continued into the 1960s and early 1970s; by 1972, employment had reached approximately 900 and annual production about 600,000 watches. The 1971 Biostar, a watch designed to show human biorhythms, reflected the company's willingness to explore unusual display and functional concepts. The most important product and engineering milestone was the DS, or Double Security, system introduced in 1959. Hans and Edwin Kurth sought to create a watch category defined by robust engineering. The movement was suspended within a reinforced case, improving protection against shocks and increasing water resistance. The concept became especially associated with outdoor and sports use. A DS watch accompanied an expedition to Dhaulagiri in the Himalayas and was reported to have survived changes in altitude and pressure. Certina later extended its materials and construction work through products such as the tungsten-carbide DS-DiaMaster, marketed for its scratch resistance. The Swiss industry faced major pressure during the 1970s from affordable Japanese mechanical and quartz watches. Certina's expansion slowed, and the owning family joined General Watch Co., an ASUAG sub-holding, in 1971. Restructuring led to the discontinuation of the company's independent calibre manufacturing. By the end of the decade, operations had been moved to Biel/Bienne and connected with Edox & Technos. After the later combination of SSIH and ASUAG interests, Certina became part of the wider group structure that ultimately produced The Swatch Group. Its membership in SMH dates from 1983. Within The Swatch Group, Certina developed as a Swiss-made sports and lifestyle brand. Its collections have included automatic and quartz watches, diving models, chronographs, urban watches, heritage designs, and sport-oriented lines. The DS construction remains the principal organizing idea, appearing in families such as DS Action, DS Podium, DS-1, DS PH200M, and DS Super PH models. Contemporary watches commonly use Swiss-made ETA movements and may include sapphire crystal, 316L stainless steel, titanium, and substantial water resistance. Motorsport and motorcycle timing have been important parts of Certina's public profile. The brand served as a timekeeper for motorcycle Grand Prix events during the 1990s and formed associations with Colin McRae, Sete Gibernau, and the Sauber Formula One team. It sponsored the World Rally Championship in 2014. That year it also changed its visual identity, replacing its previous red logo with a turtle emblem. The turtle reinforced the DS promise of protection from shocks and water and supported a strategic effort to position Certina in a more premium and technically sophisticated segment while maintaining separation from fellow Swatch Group brand Tissot.

1. 2014Brand identity and positioning revised

   Certina introduced a turtle-based logo and pursued a more premium, technically differentiated market position.

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2. 2014World Rally Championship sponsorship

   Certina sponsored the World Rally Championship, reinforcing its motorsport association.

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3. 2013DS-2 collection begins

   The DS-2 line entered the brand's collection, extending Certina's sports-watch offering.

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4. 1983Certina becomes part of SMH

   Certina joined SMH, the group that later became The Swatch Group.

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5. 1972Production reaches approximately 600,000 watches

   The company employed about 900 people and produced approximately 600,000 watches annually.

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6. 1971Certina joins General Watch Co.

   The owning family joined the ASUAG sub-holding General Watch Co. amid structural pressure on the Swiss watch industry.

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7. 1971Biostar introduced

   Certina introduced the Biostar, described in reference material as the first watch displaying human biorhythms.

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8. 1959Double Security construction introduced

   Certina introduced the DS concept, using reinforced construction and movement protection to improve resistance to shocks and water.

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9. 1938Certina becomes the principal trademark

   The company adopted Certina, derived from the Latin certus, for export and marketing. The business also produced early wristwatches and marked its fiftieth anniversary.

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10. 1936Early digital watch developed

    Certina produced a spring-driven digital watch using rotating numbered discs instead of hands.

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11. 1906The Grana name enters use

    The company began using Grana, derived from Granatus, the Latin name associated with Grenchen.

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12. 1888Kurth brothers establish the Grenchen workshop

    Adolf and Alfred Kurth founded a movement and watchmaking-supplies workshop in Grenchen, Switzerland.

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A technically focused Swiss sports-watch brand positioned around durability, water resistance, motorsport and outdoor use, and relatively accessible Swiss-made mechanical and quartz watches.

• DS ActionSports and diving watches

  The DS Action family represents Certina's contemporary sports and water-oriented range. Models use the brand's Double Security concept and are designed around practical durability, legibility, and water resistance. The broader family includes general sports watches as well as the DS Action Diver, which is aimed at recreational and professional-style diving use. Materials and specifications vary by reference, with selected models using automatic or quartz movements, sapphire crystal, stainless steel construction, and substantial depth ratings.

• DS Action DiverDiving watches

  DS Action Diver watches are purpose-oriented dive models built around Certina's shock- and water-resistance identity. They generally combine rotating dive bezels, luminous displays, robust cases, and Swiss-made movements. The line serves as one of the clearest expressions of Certina's positioning as an accessible Swiss sports-watch brand rather than a purely formal or dress-watch manufacturer.

• DS PodiumRacing and sports chronographs

  The DS Podium family is associated with motorsport-inspired styling and includes chronographs, three-hand watches, and larger sport references. Its design language emphasizes timing functions, strong case construction, and an athletic presentation. Some versions use automatic or high-precision quartz movements, while the collection as a whole reflects Certina's long-running relationship with racing and motorcycle timing.

• DS-1Everyday mechanical watches

  DS-1 watches combine the brand's protective construction with a more restrained everyday design. The family has included automatic models and heritage-influenced references, making it a bridge between Certina's sports identity and more conventional daily wear. Depending on the model, features may include sapphire crystal, Swiss mechanical movements, stainless steel cases, and exhibition or closed casebacks.

• DS Powermatic 80Automatic watches2014

  Introduced in the 2010s, the DS Powermatic 80 family uses automatic movements associated with extended power reserves and places them in Certina's protective DS-oriented cases. The range provides a mechanical alternative to the brand's quartz sports models and is aimed at buyers seeking Swiss automatic performance, durable construction, and everyday versatility.

• DS PH200MHeritage diving watches

  The DS PH200M is a heritage-styled diving watch that draws on Certina's historical professional and outdoor image. It combines a vintage-influenced case and dial approach with contemporary materials and movement technology. The model is positioned as both a recreational diving watch and a casual everyday piece, carrying the DS name as a direct link to the brand's historic engineering proposition.

• DS Super PH500MProfessional-style diving watches

  The DS Super PH500M is a high-water-resistance diving model within Certina's specialized underwater collection. Its design prioritizes robust case construction, underwater legibility, and a depth rating of up to 500 metres for applicable references. It extends the brand's historical emphasis on survival under demanding environmental conditions into a modern professional-style dive-watch format.

• DS Super PH1000MDeep-diving watches

  The DS Super PH1000M is positioned at the extreme end of Certina's diving range, with applicable models designed for water resistance up to 1,000 metres. The collection emphasizes reinforced construction, high visibility, and the DS protection concept. It demonstrates how Certina uses deep-diving specifications to differentiate its sports-watch portfolio from more general-purpose Swiss watch lines.

• DS-2Sports watches2013

  The DS-2 collection, listed as beginning in 2013, extends Certina's historical DS design language into a contemporary sports-watch family. It uses the Double Security idea as a foundation while offering modern cases, mechanical or quartz configurations, and an athletic visual identity. The collection sits among the brand's general sport and lifestyle offerings rather than being limited to diving.

• DS-8 Chronograph Moon PhaseUrban chronographs

  The DS-8 Chronograph Moon Phase combines timing functions with a more refined urban design. Its moon-phase display and chronograph layout give the collection a broader complications and lifestyle orientation than Certina's dedicated dive watches. It represents the brand's attempt to offer technically distinctive watches for formal or city use while retaining the DS family identity.

• DS CaimanoHeritage and dress-oriented watches

  The DS Caimano belongs to Certina's more understated heritage and dress-oriented offering. Rather than emphasizing large dive bezels or racing details, it uses a restrained profile suited to office and formal settings. The DS designation links the collection to Certina's protective engineering approach, while the overall design broadens the brand beyond purely rugged sports watches.

• 2014World Rally Championship sponsorship

  International

  Certina sponsored the World Rally Championship in 2014, using rally competition to communicate durability, precision, and performance under demanding conditions.

  Outcome. Expanded the brand's motorsport profile and supported its sports-watch positioning.

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• 1990Motorcycling Grand Prix timekeeping

  International motorsport markets

  Certina served as a timekeeper for Motorcycling Grand Prix events during the 1990s. The association connected its precision-watch message with high-speed competition and reinforced the brand's sports positioning.

  Outcome. Strengthened Certina's visibility in motorcycle racing and sports timing.

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• 2014Reposition the brand toward a more premium sports segmentStrategy

  Certina sought greater differentiation from Tissot and wanted its technical and durability credentials to support a higher-quality market position.

  What changed. The brand introduced a turtle logo, revised its colors and visual identity, and incorporated movements such as PreciDrive in new releases.

  Aftermath. The turtle became a visual shorthand for protection against water and shocks, while the product range emphasized more accurate movements and stronger technical specifications.

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• 1983Enter the SMH groupM&A

  The consolidation of Swiss watch companies continued after the SSIH and ASUAG structures were combined.

  What changed. Certina became a member of SMH, the corporate predecessor of The Swatch Group.

  Aftermath. Certina continued as a distinct brand within a large Swiss watch portfolio.

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• 1971Join General Watch Co. during industry consolidationStrategy

  The Swiss watch industry was under pressure from inexpensive and reliable Japanese mechanical and quartz watches, limiting Certina's ability to continue expanding independently.

  What changed. The owning family joined General Watch Co., an ASUAG sub-holding established to consolidate watchmaking operations.

  Aftermath. Restructuring later ended Certina's independent calibre manufacturing and shifted operations toward Biel/Bienne and associated group entities.

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• 2014Certina introduces a revised turtle logo and brand identity

  The brand changed its red logo and adopted a turtle symbol associated with protection from shocks and water, alongside an effort to move toward a more premium positioning.

  Other
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• 2014Certina sponsors the World Rally Championship

  Certina sponsored the World Rally Championship as part of its continuing association with motorsport.

  Campaign
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• 2014Certina introduces a revised turtle logo and visual identity

  The brand changed its red logo and introduced a turtle symbol representing protection against shocks and water, supporting a move toward a more premium technical position.

  Other
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• 1983Certina joins the SMH Group

  Certina became a member of SMH, the Swiss watchmaking group that later developed into The Swatch Group.

  M&A
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• 1983Certina becomes part of the SMH Group

  Certina joined SMH, the group that later became Swatch Group, following the consolidation of major Swiss watchmaking interests.

  M&A
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• 1971Certina joins General Watch Co. within ASUAG

  The family-owned business entered General Watch Co. as part of the consolidation of Swiss watchmaking operations during the industry's structural crisis.

  M&A
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• 1959Certina introduces the Double Security concept

  The company developed its DS construction, designed to improve protection against shock and water through a reinforced case and protected movement architecture.

  Product launch
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• 1938Certina adopts the Certina name for export and marketing

  The company adopted Certina, derived from the Latin certus, as its principal trademark and export identity.

  Other
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1. Certina