For over 130 years, Swiss watchmaker
Certina has established a reputation for producing reliable, high-quality timepieces that can withstand the harshest environments. From the rugged peaks of the Himalayas to the deepest depths of the ocean, Certina’s watches have accompanied explorers and adventurers on their journeys. The brand's commitment to innovation and durability is evident in their DS Action collection, a line of timepieces specifically designed for those who lead active lives.
The newest addition to the DS Action family is the DS Action GMT Powermatic 80, a GMT watch built for the modern globetrotter. This timepiece seamlessly blends sophisticated design with robust functionality, making it an ideal companion for jet-setters who need to keep track of time across multiple time zones.
Courtesy of Certina
Georges Frederic Favre, a watchmaker from Grenchen, Switzerland, founded Certina in 1888. Favre was a pioneer in the watchmaking industry, and his company quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality timepieces at affordable prices. In 1938, Certina introduced its now-famous DS concept, which stands for “Double Security.” This innovative concept involved incorporating a series of features into the watch's design to ensure its resistance to water, dust, shocks, and magnetic fields. The DS concept proved to be a major success, and it has remained a hallmark of Certina watches ever since.
Throughout the 20th century, Certina continued to develop and refine its DS technology. The brand also released a number of popular and innovative models, including the Aqua King, the DS-2, and the Turtle. Today, Certina is a leading manufacturer of sports watches and is known for its excellent value proposition.
Courtesy of Certina
The DS Action collection was launched in 1967 as a line of professional diving watches. These timepieces were designed to meet the needs of divers, and they featured a number of advanced features, such as water resistance to depths of 200 meters, a unidirectional bezel, and a screw-down crown. Over the years, the DS Action collection has evolved to include a wider range of sports watches, all of which share the same commitment to durability and functionality.
Upon first glance, the Certina DS Action GMT Powermatic 80 confidently establishes its presence. The 41mm stainless steel case has a satisfying heft to it, exuding a sense of toughness and refinement you expect from a DS-series watch. The polished flanks provide a gleaming contrast to the brushed surfaces, adding a touch of visual sophistication to the sporty design.
The dial immediately commands attention with its deep black base, providing the perfect background to showcase the high-contrast Super LumiNova elements. Applied hour markers, bold hands, and a crisp minute track make telling time a breeze, even in low-light situations. But the main visual draw is undoubtedly the vibrant green 24-hour GMT hand. Its slim form and lume-tipped arrow allow it to stand out, yet remain unobtrusive to the primary time-reading functions.
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Of course, no dive-inspired watch is complete without a capable bezel. The DS Action GMT Powermatic 80 doesn't disappoint. It features a unidirectional rotating bezel with crisp 120-click action and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal insert. The bezel's prominent teeth enhance grip, and the 24-hour scale is beautifully executed, split between two colors to differentiate day and night hours at a glance.
The star of the show with this watch is its GMT functionality. If you're unfamiliar with GMT watches, here's the gist of it: the standard hour, minute, and second hands tell your local time (where you currently are). The green GMT hand, which circles the dial once every 24 hours instead of the usual 12, points to the 24-hour scale on the bezel, telling you the time in a second time zone.
So how do you use this watch when traveling? Imagine you're in Briarcliff, Texas, and flying out to London. Before leaving, you'd rotate the bezel to set the London time offset against the GMT hand. This way, the primary hands show your Texas time, and the GMT hand tells you London time at a glance. Simple and convenient!
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At the heart of this travel companion beats the Powermatic 80. This Swiss-made movement offers a remarkable 80-hour power reserve. This means you could leave the watch off your wrist for over three days, and it'll still happily tick away when you put it back on. Plus, its Nivachron™ balance spring makes the movement more resistant to magnetic fields, ensuring your watch's accuracy doesn't get compromised by everyday tech like laptops and phones.
The Certina DS Action GMT Powermatic 80 transitions seamlessly from a busy workweek to a spontaneous weekend getaway. It comes on either a durable 3-link stainless steel bracelet or a classic leather strap. The bracelet features Certina's quick-release system for fast tool-free changes, allowing you to effortlessly switch up the watch's style.
Courtesy of Certina
The secure folding clasp with its twin push-button release provides a secure fit on the wrist. Comfort isn't an issue thanks to the watch's well-balanced profile and curved lugs, which ensure it hugs your wrist nicely. And being a true DS model, it sports a substantial 200m of water resistance, making it a more-than-capable partner for swimming, snorkeling, or even the occasional weekend scuba dive.
The Certina DS Action GMT Powermatic 80 is a fantastic blend of sporty style, robust build quality, and traveler-friendly functionality. It's a watch designed to keep pace with your adventures, whether they take you to bustling metropolises or serene coastlines. If you're someone who values precision, durability, and a dash of globetrotter spirit, this Swiss powerhouse GMT is absolutely worth your attention.