Certina

Who are Certina?

Certina is a Swiss watch brand founded in Grenchen in 1888 by the brothers Adolf and Alfred Kurth, and now based in Le Locle (Certina; Swatch Group Annual Report 2025). It is owned by The Swatch Group, which places it in its Middle Range with Tissot, Mido and Hamilton. This page covers its history, collections and ownership, then what to check when buying a Certina second-hand in the UK.

Certina’s watches are built around the DS, or Double Security, concept, introduced in 1959 to protect watches against shocks and water, and most carry a turtle emblem (Certina). It makes mechanical and quartz watches.

The history of Certina

Certina’s history runs from a parts workshop in Grenchen to a sports-watch brand inside the Swatch Group. The key dates are the founding (1888), the Certina name (1939), the DS concept (1959), the Swatch Group’s forerunner SMH (1983) and the Powermatic 80 (2013).

The Kurth brothers. In 1888 Adolf and Alfred Kurth opened a factory in Grenchen making watch parts and movements, with three employees, next to the family home (Certina). Wikipedia says they made movements for other companies at first and began making complete watches a few years later. From 1906 they called their watches Grana, short for the Latin name for Grenchen (Certina). In the 1920s Alfred’s sons Erwin and Hans joined the business (Certina).

The Certina name. The Certina name, from the Latin certus, was officially registered in 1939 (Certina). Wikipedia dates its adoption as an export trademark to 1938; the two sources differ by a year.

Double Security. The DS concept debuted in 1959, and Certina says it gave its watches water resistance of up to 200 metres. The turtle became the brand’s symbol in the same period (Certina). In 1960 members of the Swiss expedition that made the first ascent of Dhaulagiri each wore a Certina, and Certina says its watches were tested on the seabed during the Sealab II project in 1965 and worn by divers in the Tektite programme in 1969 (Certina).

ASUAG and the Swatch Group. In 1971 the Kurth family joined General Watch Co, a sub-holding of ASUAG (Wikipedia). Wikipedia says the company stopped making its own calibres during the restructuring that followed. In 1983 ASUAG merged with SSIH, and Certina became a founding member of the resulting SMH group, which later became the Swatch Group (Certina).

Recent decades. The DS-3 1000m of 2004 had 1,000 metres’ water resistance (Certina). For its 125th anniversary in 2013 Certina introduced the Powermatic 80, the C01.21 chronograph and Precidrive quartz movements, and a new corporate identity (Certina). In 2018 it redesigned the DS PH200M, based on a 1967 diver’s watch (Certina), and in 2025 it introduced the DS Concept Extreme Shock Resistance on the DS Action (Swatch Group).

What is Certina known for?

Certina is known for the DS (Double Security) concept, for sports and dive watches, for the turtle emblem, and for using the Powermatic 80 automatic movement.

The DS concept. Certina says the DS concept combines a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, a reinforced case back, an O-ring gasket on the stem and a thin metal plate that holds the dial and movement together if the watch is knocked. On models with the newer DS Concept Extreme Shock Resistance, the movement is also screwed into the case with a ring-shaped nut, and every Certina has at least one DS feature (Certina).

Movements. Certina uses Swiss movements, and Wikipedia says recent models use ETA movements. ETA is the Swatch Group’s movement maker in Grenchen (Swatch Group Annual Report 2025). Certina says the Powermatic 80 has a power reserve of up to 80 hours, so a fully wound watch left off for a weekend keeps running (Certina). Many models are quartz; our guide to mechanical and quartz watches explains the difference.

Sport and expeditions. Certina has long sponsored sport, from motocross in the 1970s to rally and Formula One in the 2000s, and it is official timekeeper of the FIS Cross-Country World Cup (Certina; Swatch Group). It supports the Sea Turtle Conservancy, founded in the same year as the DS concept (Certina).

Which Certina collections are there?

Certina’s current range is grouped into DS Action, DS PH, DS-X, DS-2 and DS-1 (Certina).

The collections table on this page gives a line on each. A few points help when you read listings:

• One model name, two movements. Many Certina lines come in both Powermatic 80 automatic and quartz versions; the model name often includes “Powermatic 80” when the watch is automatic (Certina). Check the reference.
• Dive ratings. The DS PH200M is rated to 200 metres and the DS Super PH1000M to 1,000 metres (Certina; Swatch Group). Water resistance on a second-hand watch depends on its seals, so read our guide to water resistance.
• Heritage reissues. The current DS-2 and DS PH200M are modern versions of 1960s watches (Monochrome; Certina). Make sure a listing describes the modern watch, not the original, or the reverse.
• Earlier lines. Older names such as the DS Podium (2005) and DS Caimano still appear second-hand (Certina; Wikipedia).

Who owns Certina?

Certina is owned by The Swatch Group Ltd, a Swiss company whose shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (Swatch Group Annual Report 2025). The group’s 2025 annual report lists CERTINA AG, Le Locle, as a wholly owned subsidiary and places Certina in its Middle Range with Tissot, Balmain, Mido and Hamilton.

Certina has been part of the group since 1983, when its owner ASUAG merged with SSIH, the owner of Omega (Certina). Sylvain Dolla, a member of the group’s Executive Group Management Board since 2024, is responsible for Tissot, Mido, Certina and Hamilton among others (Swatch Group Annual Report 2025). Other Swatch Group brands covered on Watch60 include Omega and Longines.

Buying a Certina watch second-hand in the UK: what to check

Check whether the watch is automatic or quartz, that the serial number matches the papers, what is left of the 24-month warranty, when it was last serviced, and, for a dive watch, when its water resistance was tested.

1. Movement. Confirm whether the watch has a Powermatic 80 or a quartz movement, and that it matches the reference.

2. Papers and the full set. Ask which items come with the watch and whether they are originals. Our guide to what “full set” means explains what each item proves.

3. Warranty. Certina gives a 24-month warranty from purchase and accepts no responsibility for watches not bought from an authorised dealer (Certina). Whether the remainder passes to a second owner is not stated. See watch warranties explained.

4. Servicing. Certina recommends a general service every three to four years, depending on the model, climate and wear (Certina). Ask for the service history and who did the work.

5. Dive watches. The DS concept protects a new watch, but gaskets age. Ask when the water resistance was last tested before you swim with it.

6. Authenticity and theft. Buy from a seller who accepts returns and will put authenticity in writing. Our guide on how to spot a fake watch covers what a watchmaker looks at, and our stolen-watch check guide lists the UK registers.

For the full process, see the guide to buying a luxury watch.

Frequently asked questions

Who owns Certina?

The Swatch Group Ltd, which wholly owns CERTINA AG of Le Locle (Swatch Group Annual Report 2025).

When was Certina founded?

In 1888, in Grenchen, by Adolf and Alfred Kurth (Certina).

What does DS mean on a Certina?

Double Security, Certina’s protection concept for shock and water resistance, introduced in 1959 (Certina).

Why does Certina use a turtle?

The turtle shell has been Certina’s symbol of robustness and longevity since around 1959, and appears on its logo and most watches (Certina).

Where are Certina watches made?

Certina is based in Le Locle, Switzerland (Swatch Group Annual Report 2025), and its watches are Swiss Made (Swatch Group).

What is the Powermatic 80?

An automatic movement Certina introduced in 2013, with a power reserve of up to 80 hours (Certina).

Is Certina part of the same group as Tissot and Mido?

Yes. All three are in the Swatch Group’s Middle Range (Swatch Group Annual Report 2025).

How often should a Certina be serviced?

Certina recommends a general service every three to four years (Certina).

This page is general information. Watch60 is independent and has no commercial relationship with Certina or The Swatch Group.

We check the facts on this page against the sources listed, and it is correct to the best of our knowledge as of October 2026. Brands change their warranty, servicing and sales terms, so confirm them with the brand or the seller before you buy.