It’s a brand I’ve always had great admiration for and for more years than I care to remember.  Certina have been one of the most consistent Swiss Watch Manufacturers since 1888 when they were founded in Grenchen in Switzerland.  Having just last year in 2013 celebrated their 125 years, revised and altered their logo in line with today’s markets and now affiliated to the Swatch Group, I’ve picked two models which particularly caught my eye recently.

Certina DS Multi-8 Chronograph

For Gents I’ve chosen the Certina DS Multi-8 Quartz Chronograph, which has a very neat and understated ana-digi design within a compact 42mm stainless steel case.

Beautifully made as you would expect from Certina, this model incorporates an anti-reflective Sapphire crystal with a digital Date display, which also shows Time Zone function, Timer and Alarm.  Water Resistance is a strong 100m and as I said earlier all within a neat and solid 42mm Stainless case.  I particularly like the push buttons which are nicely profiled and the watch comes with a high quality leather strap.
The simplicity of the numerals font and good legible face make this a very practical watch for me, uncluttered and good to wear in almost any situation.  Price wise this is available here in the UK at around £560 and considering it’s set against the quality of the Certina brand, represents excellent value.

Certina DS Podium Ladies Date Watch

And the 2nd model I’ve chosen is actually for the Ladies – the Certina DS Quartz Podium (C025.210.16.428.00) which I think is delightful and practical.  Not often do you see a Ladies watch with a Big Date aperture which particularly effective and clear, is balanced perfectly by the very elegant yet practical hour and minute hands.  It also sports a fine centre seconds hand in black.  The dial is white Mother of Pearl Roman figured and the minute chapter ring is colored, which compliments the complete ensemble.  For me this is a really perfect set up and I love the look of it.

The clarity, as with the gents model above, is again quite outstanding and the beautifully finished Stainless Steel case shape is both unusual and stylish.  In silver tone finish with a Sapphire Crystal and 10ATM (100m) Water Resistance, this model is also practical.  Added elegance comes in the shape of the large milled crown with the Rose colored cabochon insert which matches the high quality leather strap and lends it an air of sophistication that I’m sure will appeal to the fairer sex.

Case wise this model is 32.5mm x 8.85mm which for the woman of today is a perfect size and more modern than the very small profile cases of yesterday.  The leather strap is inclusive of a butterfly clasp and at around £260 in the UK is in my opinion extremely good value for a watch of this quality.

Both models come with the Certina 2 year Guarantee.

The problem is if my Wife sees this post – I KNOW she’ll want one!   Now OK the Festive Season is just around the corner so maybe, just maybe I’ll smuggle one in to her Christmas stocking . . . . . .