Introducing: The Certina DS Super PH1000M — Another Value-Heavy Hit
The new Certina DS Super PH1000M is here, and it celebrates one of the brand’s most important dive watches that first debuted in 1970. More than that, though, this release further establishes Certina as a leader in offering attractive and capable dive watches at a reasonable price. If you haven’t had them on your radar, perhaps it’s time!
It’s hard to ignore the turnaround at Certina. Just a few short years ago, the brand had a heavy focus on quartz chronographs. These were and are still a key part of the lineup, but ever since the DS PH200M launched in 2018, watch fans have received a slew of compelling choices. Models like the titanium DS Action Diver and the DS Super PH500M are just some of the watches that exist today as great options. Now, with the new DS Super PH1000M, Certina takes inspiration from one of its most legendary references. The results are fantastic, and the pricing is hard to argue against.
The new DS Super PH1000M (left) and the 1970 DS-2 Super PH1000M (right)
The Certina DS Super PH1000M
Fans of vintage dive watches will certainly be excited by the announcement of the new PH1000M. It takes its cues from the legendary DS-2 Super PH1000M that was used on the Tektite II program. Tektite was a series of underwater habitat studies with involvement from the US government and, naturally, these required dive watches. One of our favorite sites, Vintage Certinas, has an informative article about Ian Koblick, an aquanaut who took part in the first two “missions.” Of course, the Certina divers are part of the story.
The original DS-2 Super PH1000M is highly collectible and relatively valuable today. It also possesses a distinctive C-case with a tall, inward-angled dive bezel. It’s very “of the era” and, in some ways, looks like a Doxa Sub 300T on steroids. The watch is seriously cool and a worthy part of any collection. Naturally, nice examples are not easy to find, and as tool watches, they typically show high levels of wear. The new DS Super PH1000M is a worthy modern stand-in.
Hefty specs and two versions
The DS Super PH1000M is available in two versions, both of which are faithful to the original ’70s editions. The distinctive orange option is a limited edition of 1,000 pieces, whereas the black-dialed variant is normal production. With either, buyers can choose a black rubber strap or textile strap made from #tide recycled ocean material. Both use a pin buckle for closure.
The stainless steel case sounds relatively wearable at 43.5mm in diameter. Even the 14.15mm thickness is reasonable for a 1,000m-rated dive watch. Underneath the signature turtle-engraved solid screw-in case back, we have the familiar Powermatic 80 automatic movement. This has become the Swatch Group’s powerhouse caliber, and it’s hard to find fault with the choice. Along with the heady power reserve of 80 hours, it offers a quick-set date and hacking seconds.
Additional details
Certina has adorned both DS Super PH1000M versions with Super-LumiNova on the dial, hands, and unidirectional bezel. The orange minute hand is also faithful to the original and surrounded in orange to help differentiate it from the hour hand during daylight. At 9 o’clock, the watches have been equipped with a flush-mounted helium valve. Naturally, the signed crown is a screw-down affair.
A fantastic diver at a great price
The Certina DS Super PH1000M will go on sale for CHF 900 for the orange dial and CHF 845 for the black dial. At a time when watch prices are facing high levels of criticism, this feels like an incredibly fair offering. It’s correct that no one needs 1,000m water resistance, but that’s just icing on the cake for a really good-looking watch that bears a strong resemblance to a piece of history. I haven’t been tempted by a new diver in quite some time, but one of these could find its way to my wrist. What are your thoughts on the latest Certina release?
For more information, visit the official Certina website.
