BY DHANANJAY PATHAK
2019 is an important year for several Swatch group brands. It marks the 50th anniversary of the moon landings which made the Omega Speedmaster an icon, the 20th anniversary of the unique and elegant Glashütte Original Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar and the 60th anniversary of Certina’s DS concept. Like its fellow brands, Certina is celebrating the occasion by launching a new watch. Featuring a beautiful emerald dial, a big date complication and driven by a Swiss automatic movement the new DS1 Big Date 60th Anniversary promises to be a great contender for a perfect everyday watch. So, let have a closer look.
All watches from Certina that feature the “DS” aka “Double Security” concept are capable of handling rigors with ease and the new DS1 Big Date Special Edition is no exception. The case is made from stainless steel and provides enhanced protection against water damage. The 100 meters water resistance is ensured using an O ring on the setting stem, a crown with two O-ring seals, a special seal in the case back and a reinforced case back. Further to this sitting on top of the case is a domed crystal that is made from sapphire making it highly scratch-resistant. Measuring 41mm in diameter the case is aptly sized and would sit comfortably on a wide variety of wrists.
While the DS concept is all about that extra layer of protection, what steals the show here is the dial. Presented in a deep shade of green with a sunburst finish, the dial on this watch looks stunning. Adding to the visual appeal is the fume effect which starts with a bright shade of green at the center culminating into an almost black color towards the outer periphery. The faceted triangular markers and the dauphine handset look sharp and lend the timepiece a contemporary vibe. The big date complication is well executed and thoughtfully placed at 6 to keep the symmetry of the dial intact.
At the helm of the DS1 Big Date is the Powermatic 80 movement. This is basically a modified version of the reliable ETA 2824, which operates at a frequency of 3Hz and offers a health power reserve of around 80 hours. Besides the lower beat rate, this movement has also been equipped with an entirely new Nivachron balance spring that offers better antimagnetic capabilities and is also more resistant to temperature variations.
Overall the new Certina DS1 Big Date 60th Anniversary Special Edition is a great looking watch that ticks all the boxes for a perfect daily wearer. The watch would come attached to a Milanese and would retail for EUR 765.
Visit Certina here.
