Certina DS-1 Powermatic 80 Chronometer Watch Review
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- čas přidán 29. 08. 2024
- This is one of my friends watches which he left with me in November last year. He said to me take your time have a look at it.
Four months later I am ready to share my thoughts on this beautiful watch, but not without its flaws...
Thanks for watching
Peter
#watchreview #watchbuying #certinawatch
I own this watch and I love it. I don't habe the Chronometer version but it runs with + 2 s/d which is in the COSC range. For the price still available right now it really is one of the best watches you can buy. I can't definitely see your negative points, but for me they are not that big of an issue. I can read the time fine and I think the crown has a very good size for me and the feeling is just amazing. And yes, the lug width restricts the bracelet selection, but I really like the original steel bracelet plus I own a leather bracelet in 22 mm which fits it as well with a little effort.
I love this watch so much, I bought two units of the chronometer version 😊
Certina are exceptional watches
I own a ds action day date and ds4 small seconds
Top unit..enjoy !!
absolutely love my DS Podium. Perfect all arounder
I have just ordered a DS-1 with an ETA 2824 movement. The Powermatic 80 is an excellent movement, but the beat rate is low. I much prefer a smoother sweep, as rarely is a long power reserve of any good
Long reserve is a wonderful thing, but higher beat is also so its best to own both :D
I agree, 4hz is much more important to me than power reserve. If I want a low beat rate with long power reserve, and accuracy then quartz is the best fit. Just wait till service time ……
Agree with you on the legibility issue with the thin hands. This can be fixed by replacing them with thicker white lumed hands, for those who are into modding. Great presentation btw.
Would love if Certina would make some of these in a 45-47mm L2L. Still a great looking watch though.
Enjoyed the review. Beautiful photography!
I hadn’t noticed the dial/hand confusion until you mentioned it. Now I cannot see it! Lol
Still a beautiful watch.👍
Yay! Back with the old intro song! I was missing it. Good review, too.
Hey Sean, I have had so many people ask me to go back to the original intro song....so by popular demand, IT'S BACK !!!
👍👍👍
Great video! I have the same watch with a gold case, grey dial and brown leather strap. Love it! Beautiful watch!
Man..nice review..I have waited fot the negatives and you mentioned 3 so funny things (of course with respect to your opinion) that I really like it even more and seriously think about buyng one. Thanks.
Hi Martin
The watch is indeed very nice
I think the biggest issue is that legibility, everything else I can live with 👍
Certina builds some really solid pieces for crackin prices. I mean it’s tough to find a watch of this quality for that kind of money. Definitely overlooked even with DS divers from 38-43mm, comfortable and well finished bracelets. Thanks the solid work Peter, always respect your takes along with the amazing shots.
Cheers
very valid point on the legibility. even watching your video, I had trouble sorting out what was what on the dial a couple of times.
I do like Certina but I haven’t looked at their range for a while. Thanks for showcasing this piece. Love designs that have symmetrical features - date at 6 always gets my interest. However I do agree the hands getting lost in the dial, and reflections on their shiny surface with such thin lume strip are a sticking point for me.
Best,
Dean.
Personally I am going to keep an eye out for future releases as I really like Certina as a brand as well
Cheers
I have this watch, it’s my week day watch. I rotate my omega’s, glycine’s, oris’s etc around it. there is something about it that is perfect, to the point that am looking for another one to have on leather.
wow that case is lovely.
I think these are The Best Looking watches - better than Tissot even- for the price they have- less than 500 Euros !
G'day Pete! It's such a beautiful classic looking watch. I do like watches with a cross hair effect. I noticed that on a lot of Certina watches the design is all about symmetry. And I didn't know that they make Chronometer versions of this Powermatic 80 movement. One of my first thought was that the hands were a bit dainty though. If they were just a little wider with stark white lume filled middle sections would make this watch more legible. Cheers
G'day Alex, yeah lovely timepiece. I wonder if the hands were wider with more lime that the elegant feel of the watch would possibly be sacrificed somewhat. Also I think the watch would have benefitted from darker crosshairs, maybe a shade of grey rather than white. Nonetheless, great to hear from you mate
Cheers
@@PeterKotsa Thanks mate! I didn't mean really stout tool watch hand, just hands that are a tad more present.
@@AlexanderB. Cool..
All very good points Alex - as usual.
That hour hand is short too. In my experience, Certina do hands really well. Beautifully faceted and finished + they do that super elegant elongated arrow second hand in white... But these? Perhaps a little ᴛᴏᴏ much form over function in the design?
Cheers bud. Talk soon. ✌🏼️
a white dial fixes the reflection issue.
Fantastic video!!! I just bought this watch based on your fantastic review.
Enjoy it 👍
As usual, a great review, and a nice watch!
Glad you enjoyed it
I have this watch on the bracelet.
Its really is a nice looking watch and the bracelet is great.
Mine runs on the slower end of the COSC spec or about 3 seconds slow on average but on a really hot day it can run out of spec.
I don't have any issues with legibility but I do wish it had a screw down crown. I had the crown pop out couple of times and the watch stopped. I think it got caught on some loose threads in my jacket.
But I do love the way it wears and looks.
I had the non chronometer version with a plain matt dial and just white minute markers that had great readability. Also the steel bracelet was very well made and comfortable. Certina offers very reliable, robust watches, beautifully made.I have and had several watches from them, one of my favorite brands. I regret selling this one!
A lot of watches are doing 21mm wide lugs. My captain cook is 21mm. You can squeeze a 22mm leather into a 21mm , but it is annoying that a lot of higher end watches are doing this. I purchased a rado leather strap for mine and it cost £120 . But then it is nice to have a strap designed perfectly for the watch. Never had a certina, quite liked the diver from a couples of years ago, but didn't like the date placement at 5 o clock or whatever it was, just looked strange on the face.
It was a shame because it was a great looking piece apart from that.
That central line would bug me to death, so confusing, so it's a no on this one. I think they make good watches for the price point though. Great vid Peter as always, nice to see your still kicking about !!!
Always kicking about Martin..lol
Good to hear from you mate, as always.. !!
My first thought was precisely the crosshair on that dial making it confusing to tell the time. Got a Certina C3 Sports chrono with legibility issues too. Something Certina should give more care to.
@Desktopia LOL
Great review. Agree with the pros and cons. Just because of aesthetic reasons 20mm would fit much better. Looks like a affordable option for a Baume&Mercier.
I'd like to see this watch in 38mm. Thumbs up for the review!
I think it's a looker Peter. Maybe if the hour hand was a touch longer and the cross hairs shorter it would be perfect but yeah, definite legibility issues. If it's $1200 or $450 it's still a pain to read so....... Btw I think your mate made a decent choice with the strap. Cheers mate, nice one.
...that hour hand did look short didn't it Dave? It's a great looking piece from an underrated brand (IMO).
Certina seems to do a black, white and grey variant in all their sporty dress pieces. Maybe another colour might help legibility too?
@@anthonysmith2982 yeah definitely agree Anthony. I think all the more affordable SWATCH group watches are often overlooked. Maybe people are thinking 'if I'm going to buy Swiss I'll buy top end' but there are some absolute beauties in that lower price bracket. And definitely legibility could be improved with a different dial colour, I think you're right there mate.
@@davemck1887
I like a heap of the Swatch group brands too. Omega is probably my favourite brand. Longines and Tissot heritage stuff can be great. Mido's re-issue divers, Certina's re-issues and dressie sports pieces. Something for everyone!
Most importantly for me, I can buy a good quality timepiece from a heritage brand for a really good price and know it's going to retain value. I don't have any plans on selling my collection, but it's nice to know if I did I'd get a decent chunk of my $ back.
Cheers mate.
Great review as usual. The movement on mine was rock solid as well. Good daily watch. The thing that bothered me the most was the color of the seconds hand. It’s basically white, and I just didn’t like it. Didn’t care for the cross hairs either. Still a solid watch.
I have the roman numeral version. The bracelet is amazing and the overall case finishing is what opened me up to certina. I now own 3 lol
Hi there..can you tell me how many seconds looses a day? I apreciate your kindness...I am interested to buy this watch you have ! Cheers
@befreetv354 it's a precidrive movement so I think it's only something like 10 secs a year! It's amazingly accurate
@befreetv354 scratch that, sorry I thought this was the quartz one. I think mine was around +/- 10 secs a week
@@ThePlaiibox ok.Thanx...10 sec a year is my quartz Tissot...LOL...Cheers
Underrated watchmaker
Got to agree on the legibility. I have a tag,black on black same problem. So no new purchase for me.🤺
Another engaging review and you make some good points. I have never really felt any affinity for the brand or any of its models. For me there isn’t any spark. Cheers.
Thats a fair comment Chris, cheers mate
I was the same Chris but I've recently been looking at their DS Action Diver. It's a lot of watch that can be got for $600. Very Tudor like imho. The thing with Certina is there's loads of them, eventually you've got to find a good one 🤣🤣
They're a little (a lot) late to the game Chris, but they're doing some great re-issues. That's where the gold is IMO.
Cheers bud! 🙂
Thanks Peter 👍.
Lovely watch. I think a good way that Certina could improve the legibility would be by giving a different finishing on each side of the hands just as Mido does with their Baroncelli Heritage. I got that one and the legibility ok those hands are amazing. One side is polished, the other side is sandblasted looking which provides a very easy read. The 21mm lug width is always a turnoff. I still don't know why watch companies keep insisting on putting this off lug widths. I'd sell better just in 20mm
Oh goodness, I shouldnt have watched this video....
I have this the non-chronometer version of this watch and love it dearly, but it is off for service and watching this makes me miss it even more!
I just got the new ds diver 38mm and I love it. It’s perfect
Yes a great watch!
Do u still wear it? How’s the movement? They all say that it cant be serviced and just a throw away movement cuz of the plastic or nylon parts
It is a dressy watch.. The reading of dial is absolute gorgeos. Screw down crown.. It is like mixing tomatoes with milk on this type of watch.. Its targeting specific categories of owner..
Beautiful watch. I agree with others that the crosshairs are not my cup of tea. It seems there are other models that do away with the crosshairs, but not sure if the finishing on those are the same.
Thanks for the very objective review.
You're welcome 👍
As usual, great reviews and stop on on the so-so points:
- these hands are not that easy to identify, personally I would have seen a mix in some form of dauphine hands and these battons hands shape and most importantly 1 side of it brushed and the other polished, they would have been easier to see on top of that grey dial which is gorgeous.
- the screw down crown.
- this exhibition case back could be replaced by a simple ss one, this watch would even be slimmer.
- 20mm lug width would have been easier /better for versatility.
Very difficult to read the time..... Excellent job 👏 on the review
Cheers
What a video presentation 👌👌👌
Hi Peter Thanks for the review of a really nice looking watch, I take your points on the negativities , and 21mm lugs why do they do that? personally I think it would look really good with a ruby red face ,but that's just me, thanks stay safe.
Good point..ruby red would absolutely rock !!
Nice one Pete, I tried buying some 21mn straps recently and it's pain I know too well!
Frustrating indeed..
it is a damn shame. remove the dial lines, make hands the same way as you did with the seconds hand, make seconds hand light gray and we have a winner!
Are 3Hz/6 ticks really called "low beat"? I'd still call that standard beat, especially considering that 5.5; 5 and 4 tick/sec watches are still a thing even though they are rare (4 ticks is more common with meca-quartz than with mechanicals at this point).
I don't understand why it's called " low beat " by youtubers neither.
It even looks quite the same to the untrained eye and is quite in the middle of low and high. That's exactly what standard is.
Otherwise, which one is the standard then ? 😂
I think it's because until recently most mid tier swiss watches & up ran at 28,800 vph, so people think of this as a standard modern beat rate. Ironically now beat rates are getting lower on ETA based based movements because of increased power reserves. Omega's coaxial escapement has also reduced the Beat rate of many of their watches to 25,200 vph.
I have two dogs named Oris and Omega...they are my watch dogs😄
Why would anyone want a screw down crown in a watch like this? It is an annoying feature that is unnecessary for 99.9% of the people. Agree about the legibility issues though.
I have a similar problem on a watch and have thought of changing out the hands for new ones.
Hey Tim, if you like the watch enough, then why not...personalise it so that its also usable and enjoyable
Cheers mate
I have a Certina (DS podium, older model with the 4 Hz movement) and I think they don't get enough credit - they tend to offer better value than Hamilton, to compare them to their swatch group brethren. But why the 19mm lug width?
Older version DS Podium is a fantastic deal now - I bought two!!
I just recently bought one in new condition as well, the 4 hz variant and 19 mm lugs. I got it for 280 euros, a steal! It's like a mini rolex explorer for a sick price. People still prefering 1000$ worse speced Seikos to this is baffling.
@@Psysso Word!!!!! Arguably the actual best watch value on the planet!
Looks like the Baume & Mercier Baumatic (Clifton) but at a better price 👌🏽
Not fer nuthin, but you can buy a Certina DS-1 on Amazon for 300 bones American.
I can't buy into the "normally $1200" line.
I agree cathedral or breguet hands would have worked better imo.
So, you need 2/3 of the lenght of the video to praise all the positives to come to the conclusion, that the perfect symmetry and two further design features disqualify this Certina 😂 Go and get the DS-2 Powermatic. Date on 3 o clock, 20mm lug width, 200m water resistance with screw down crown ✌️
When I see the year 1888 , I think Jack the Ripper.
You know your history well...:)
Maybe they should just do away with the cross hair on the dial to improve legibility ?
36mm for a dress watch would have been nice. Not a fan of exhibition case backs personally.
I've considered this watch in the past a few times, but it's just too big. This should be, at best, 38mm. It's a dress watch, and it doesnt have to wear like a damn wall clock. Dress watches should be 36 to 38mm.
Wish I had got one at the Jomashop price.
Go for a vintage DS instead for they are so much nicer.
You're blaming the watch for not meeting YOUR liking, that's not a problem of the watch. That's a YOU problem.
Would love this one if it were 2mm smaller in diameter and lug-to-lug. For your 7-inch wrist it seems to wear well, but for my 6.5 its near 50mm lug-to-lug wouldn't. This is a common problem for smaller-size folk like me, but hopefully we'll see the trend to smaller vintage-sized watches continue, especially amongst dressier pieces like this. What are your thoughts? Would you like it as much if it were a 38 with 47mm lug-to-lug?
Personally I ma always drawn to a smaller case diameter and I think 38 or even 39 is the sweetest spot for many of us
21mm straps are a no go. Very hard to find leather or steal. 19mm is ok. I can find plenty. Strapsco has a good selection of 19mm and when they run their frequent sales the prices are reasonable
Hi there Peter. I really like your taste when pairing different straps with watches. I have an old titanium omega seamaster chrono. What colour / style of strap would you suggest? A perlon strap maybe? Am open for suggestions... Thanks a lot for your tasty content! Cheers!
Hi Daniel, shoot me through some images of the watch to have a look at: info@peterkotsa.com
Cheers
@@PeterKotsa thanks a lot Peter, i'll send you some photos
It's a beauty, but yes those lines in same colour??
would you choose this or Tissot Gentleman?
If I had a choice it would definitely be the Tissot. Great looker
I prefer Certina myself. I find the Gentleman and most of their contemporary pieces a little 'safe'. But Tissot's Heritage stuff can be ɢʀᴇᴀᴛ. And their new PRX is very cool...IMHO!
hate that logo old wersion looked beter
What could have been a 5 or 6 minute review was dragged out to 10 minutes by being reminded time and time again that it had a beautiful finish, great detail, great movement, great styling, great make etc. to the final crescendo, that the hands get lost from time to time in certain lighting conditions. I think because it is such a beautiful watch, you struggled for things to say once the 99% of positives had been pointed out. Not the best review execution, sorry to say unfortunately!
My tissot powermatic 80 chronometer was running at 0.1 plus per day u til the balance staff fell out and stopped it.
Yeah Peter, I know exactly what you mean. Another issue that might be playing a factor is how much if any anti reflective coating there is. I have this problem with a beautiful Hamilton Spirit of Liberty watch. (see my Instagram acc. seanswatch). Both of these companies are part of the Swatch Group, I dont know if that could have anything to do with it.
Hey Sean, the crystal seems to have great clarity so the AI coating is more than sufficient on this one 👍
Great review. Do you know the exact model of the one you have?
I gave the watch back to the owner a while back and he sold it, so I can't check
I don't see what the issue is? Nit-picking? Never heard of that problem. Maybe try glasses?
Quick disclaimer Peter, Cosc spec regulated but not cosc certified, with enough extreme parameters, the specs can fluctuate and the only way to rectify that would be to replace the hairspring assembly. That’s my only problem with any watch with powermatic 80 movement
Thanks for sharing that Mohammed
Cheers
First time I've see that anywhere. Can you tell me where you found that out? Just about to buy one myself
@@nosamsemaj I read up on watchuseek forums when it first came out. It should be pretty robust and accurate but any issues will result in replacement of the whole movement. The regulation is done with lasers during manufacturing. I would get a 2824 just because it will be easier to seek parts replacements and service anywhere around the world.
@@MohammedKhaled-ju7gy Just bought one. For the money it seemed like a no brainer
@@nosamsemaj yeah. Good dress watch at 400. I went vintage for that price however with king Seiko
I will tell you what the problem is. No timing bezel to time pizza and l didn't see Vostok anywhere on the dial.
Best comment on the whole thread.
looks like Tissot Powermatic 80
Sister companies
Does it need daily winding? If yes, for how long at a time ?
No need, it's an automatic
Wind it 10-20 times, place it on your wrist and the movement of your daily actions does the rest
@@PeterKotsa thanks
Would be nice to inform us what the ref# is. As it stands it's nowhere near to be found on Certina's website. Is it discontinued? US model only?
I believe it is discontinued ..here is the reference for you C029.408.16.081.00 Certina C029.408.16.081.00 DS-1 Powermatic 80 Men's Automatic Watch
Discontinued....hence the killer prices now
@@nosamsemaj correct..
Well, to begin with not a Diver.. good.
... it is a dressing up watch, elegant, dark, detail to go with a light-colored long sleeve shirt outlining transitions. I think it is the watch to select for a special occasion; it is not the watch to wear on a daily basis, it does not need to be luminous in the dark, it is a decorative piece with also a vintage touch.
The powermatic 80 (Tissot?) movement.. I dont see the need for that in a watch with the features describe before, it could perfectly be manual and it would serve the same purpose. The movement in place triggers the price up.. Why not to have a lower level one, making the watch more affordable? .. just an idea...
Aesthetically speaking, I would go for one with a white dial with contracting hands, with a leather band to make it more catchy.. a conversation starter...
Tissot / Certina both Swatch group brands, using the same ETA movement, with ETA of course being another Swatch group company.
How’s the watch serving you these days?
Its not my watch, it belongs to a friend, however the watch is still here with me 😊
cheers
can you tell me please what strap is that? thanks!
That is a leather strap from SecondHour Watches, a relatively old one, I do not think they sell these today
There is no watch that is good enough for everyone
21...
Those odd numbers that high end companies uses is a pain,and now some Chinese budget friedly companies start to do the same ,now we have to buy even more straps lol.As for this style of watch i am completely out,cheers.
Shame the dial is graduated for a 4hz movement ........
It's possible this watch originally had the 2824 in it. The modified 80 power reserve version has only been out for 2 to 3 years
06:27 that's the point..i think i heard too much babbling 😑
Tissot Visodate
damn dats noice.
First world problems.
Certina is one of those brands I just dont look at...
Me neither..
1988? All right....different times...authentic products...like so many other Swiss guys...
But today, with a modified ETA movement inside, tomorrow maybe with a Sellita one, and in the long run with a Seagull one... who can predict.....? And the rest is history...
I meant 1888
@@geo40211 I just have zero interest in Certina.
Its a shame, they are wonderful pieces if you are in the market in this price bracket.
@@-Dash- not true. You are here for a certina watch 😉😉