You Don’t Wanna Mess With The Black-Dial Certina DS-2 Powermatic 80 On A Steel Mesh Bracelet
Yes, this watch’s origins unmistakably lie in the 1960s. Still, the black-dial Certina DS-2 on a steel mesh bracelet seems to be in the right place at the right time. Its black lacquered dial, sharp lines, and steel mesh bracelet give it a look you don’t want to mess with. We almost didn’t dare tell it that a strong retro vibe was surrounding it. And when we did, the watch showed its distinctly contemporary Powermatic movement with an 80-hour power reserve to shut us up. I still dared to write this hands-on review.
In the history of Certina, the original 1968 DS-2 takes a special place. The watch marked a crucial step in the brand’s Double Security (DS) concept, which offers enhanced shock resistance, improved sealing, and genuine durability. And Certina achieved this at a time of strong demand for durable, rugged watches. Sports watches were becoming part of daily life rather than staying niche, specialist equipment. Today, sports watches dominate, and current trends indicate that retro-design models are in the highest demand. There’s nothing wrong with capitalizing on that when you’re a commercial entity, like every watch brand is. So Certina gives us a modernized version of the late-’60s DS-2. The watch is definitely a direct descendant of the 1968 model, but it’s also very much a contemporary creature.
Hands-on with the black-dial Certina DS-2 Powermatic 80 on a steel mesh bracelet
A tonneau case and a steel mesh bracelet — how retro do you like it? Still, Certina somehow managed to give us a modern interpretation that captures the proportions and spirit of the original. And brands don’t always do that with reinterpretation or homage watches. Earlier this year, after spending three weeks with a red-dialed Certina DS-2 on a leather strap, Henry, who also owns a vintage DS-2, was very much in love with the modern interpretation. He wrote: “Crucially, it doesn’t feel like a costume piece. The brushing is crisp, the polished accents restrained, and the transitions sharp enough to feel current. This is not a faux-aged homage; it’s a modern watch built with vintage intent.”
Well said, Henry; I couldn’t agree more. His red-dial version seems even more retro than the black-dial variant I tried on. This one’s mesh bracelet is unapologetically retro, though. It’s also my least favorite aspect of the watch. Mesh bracelets are not for me. I understand the appeal because nothing says “black-and-white underwater adventure” more clearly than this kind of shark-proof bracelet, but I never quite warmed up to them. I almost did when Omega presented a titanium mesh bracelet, but the clasp’s heft turned me off. And since we’re on the topic of clasps, let’s examine the one on the DS-2.
Mesh with links
The DS-2 doesn’t come with any ordinary mesh bracelet. It’s a bracelet with two faces, so to speak. It starts as 20mm-wide steel mesh, but for convenience, the bracelet transitions to links while still showing a mesh pattern. This does indeed make sizing the bracelet quite easy, but it also looks just a bit odd. There’s no big and bulky clasp, though. It’s a push-piece-equipped butterfly clasp designed to look elegant. But it is by no means a safety clasp, which you would expect or, at least, like to see on a sports watch. Let me put it this way: this mesh/link hybrid bracelet didn’t make me change my mind about mesh bracelets. A textile strap would be my choice, as it fits the watch’s look and feel perfectly. Rubber could also be cool, but you’d need to look for something to your taste outside the Certina catalog.
Crisp case lines
I have no complaints regarding the case of the modern DS-2. It looks very much like the “OG” in terms of shape and size. It has a 40mm diameter, a 46mm lug-to-lug, and a 12.65mm profile. The tonneau-shaped stainless steel case, with its integrated lugs, proudly showcases its crisp lines. Thanks to modern production methods, they’re even crisper than in 1968. A domed sapphire crystal adds a bit of softness to the overall look while keeping the retro vibe intact.
The screw-down crown, adorned with a vintage Double-C logo, is a practical telltale sign of contemporary watchmaking. That also applies to the rear sapphire crystal, which replaces the much-loved turtle case back while still ensuring very practical 200m water resistance.
More than enough power
The name is a dead giveaway. The DS-2 Powermatic 80 is indeed powered by the Swatch Group’s ETA 80.611 automatic movement, which we know as the Powermatic 80. This caliber, which uses the familiar ETA 2824-2 architecture, features a Nivachron balance spring for improved resistance to magnetic fields, an extended power reserve, and a lower operating frequency of 21,600 vph instead of 28,800. In this case, it also comes fitted with a Certina-signed rotor.
Apart from that, there’s nothing much to see, but at this watch’s price point, it’s important that the mechanical power source can be seen in action. Not only does it add value to the watch, but it also acts as a source of inspiration and aspiration. If the Powermatic 80 can establish a deep love for mechanical movements and horology, it’s doing a swell job.
Final words on the Certina DS-2 Powermatic 80
We haven’t talked about pricing yet, but we should. The black-dial Certina DS-2 Powermatic 80 with its mesh bracelet costs €1,095 / US$1,130 / £970 / CHF 970. And that’s a fair price for an inspired remake of an important vintage watch. It has a few competitors from microbrands and even some fellow Swatch Group brands, but it can hold its ground thanks to a solid design and great details. This is a rugged yet refined version of a vintage watch, and its looks and characteristics make this tough competitor punch above its weight.
Perhaps I should have mentioned that the deep black lacquered dial with applied luminous indexes featuring bright, light-blue-glowing Super-LumiNova BGW9 has a distinctly no-nonsense yet strong, pleasing presence. I also should have said that the framed date window looks classy. Well, I did in the end.
What do you think of this version of the classic Certina DS-2 Powermatic 80? Please let me know in the comments section below.
