The Certina DS-2 has seen some handsome improvements as of late. We recently reviewed the new three-handed Certina DS-2 Turning Bezel watch which revives the aesthetics of the original 1970’s models with a slightly larger case and a new rotating divers bezel. For their next release, the Swiss watchmaker looks back to the 70’s again to renew their famous Certina Chronolympic model, a watch famously known for reaching the summit of Mount Everest. Let us introduce you to the new Certina DS-2 Chronograph watch…
The original Certina DS-2 watch launched back in 1968 and utilised their coveted Double Security (DS) technology for shock, dust and a 200 metre water resistance alongside handsome dials with three-hand displays or chronograph complications. Then at the very beginning of the 1970’s, Certina launched a line of chronographs with high-grade manual movements called the DS-2 Chronolympic. To prove their durability, the chronographs accompanied a team of Japanese adventurers as they climbed the highest peak in the world. On the way down, one of the team, Yuichiro Miura, famously skied 2,000 metres down the mountain, reaching speeds of up to 160 km/h, slowed only by using a parachute. He did this all while having the Certina DS-2 Chronolympic strapped to his wrist, once again endorsing the collection as a reliable companion for all environments.
The new 2023 Certina DS-2 Chronograph collection is inspired by its 1970’s predecessor and brings back to life some of its key design traits. It’s most obvious is the tonneau-shaped case, now available in either classic stainless steel or stainless steel with a yellow gold PVD coating. The case is still water resistant to 200 metres, thanks to a screw in crown and screwed down case back, and has a flat bezel with a brushed finish and polishing finishing on the case sides, pushers and crown. The Certina DS-2 Chronograph watches are upsized slightly from the DS-2 Chronolympic, measuring to 43.3mm in diameter and a pretty hefty 15.25mm tall.
The dials of the Certina DS-2 Chronograph watches are also wonderfully faithful to the original, currently available in a choice of dark matte blue for the steel case and matte green for the yellow gold plated case. Both displays have contrasting silver counters for the small seconds at 9 o’clock and the 30-minute chronograph at 9 o’clock while a framed date window completes the symmetry at 6 o’clock. Both have the same white tachymeter scale as their 1970’s counterpart as well as flat hour and minute hands and faceted indexes set with Superluminova. The Certina DS-2 Chronograph watch with the blue dial offers a slightly sportier look for its yellow accents on the hour markers and central chronograph seconds hand and red touches on the 30-minutes counter. The green-dialled, gold-plated reference is a little dressier opting for gold colouring for all its hardware.
Powering the new 2023 Certina DS-2 Chronograph watches is the ETA A05.231 automatic chronograph movement. It comes with an anti-magnetic silicon hairspring, 29 jewels, a power reserve of 68 hours and a frequency of 28,800vph. The movement can be enjoyed through a sapphire crystal exhibition case back. Finally, the blue-dialled reference completes its exterior with a dark blue fabric strap with yellow stitching while the green dial model elects a classic dark brown leather band. Both straps close by a double-folding security clasp.
If you’d like to learn more about the new Certina DS-2 Chronograph watches and shop the collection for yourself, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
Specifications:
- Case Size: 43.36mm x 15.25mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel or steel with yellow gold PVD coating
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Screwed down, exhibition
- Water Resistance: 200 metres
- Movement: ETA A05.231 automatic winding, silicon balance spring
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, 30 minute counter, date, stop-seconds
- Power Reserve: 68 hours
- Jewels: 29
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Matte blue or matte green with silver counters, Superluminova hands and indexes
- Strap: Dark blue fabric (Steel), brown leather (Gold PVD)
- Buckle: Double-folding security clasp
- Reference: C024.462.18.041.00 (Steel), C024.462.36.091.00 (Gold PVD)
- RRP: £1,855
- Limited: No
