The Certina DS chronograph automatic is something that has a vintage style to it and when I wanted to google how to purchase one- I couldn’t. I live in Singapore and there are no Certina dealers or retailers here. Neither can I buy it off their website. Does anyone have experience purchasing Certina watches? If you do, how did you buy yours? Online or physical retailers?
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Why is it so hard to buy a Certina?
Spiffy
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it belongs to the swatch group.. their service locator shows 3 location sin the US... all SG group. NJ, Miami, Culver city.
Eg.
SG US, EAST REGIONAL SERVICE CENTER
55, Metro Way, Suite #1
NJ 07094
Secaucus
New Jersey
United States
reasonable rates for service as well.
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7,254 Posts
The list price of the watch is EUR 2,195.00 here in Germany. If you filter on C24 for year of manufacture 2023, new and unworn and with box and papers, then the prices on the platform are between EUR 1,810.00 and EUR 2,195.00 - “jacked” is probably a different matter.
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12,307 Posts
Hmm... I've never seen that option and I don't see it now.
Swatch Group will service any of their brands. I spoke directly with SGUS customer support and they assured me I could send them my Certina and they would service it at the same rates as Tissot or Mido.
As for distribution, they are mostly limited to Europe... though they appear to have expanded to China and a few countries in the global south. Nothing in Singapore yet, but they do have ADs in Vietnam and Philippines. There's no official distribution in USA, but there are a few retailers with a special deal with the brand, as mentioned above. It shouldn't be too hard to find a seller who will send the watch to wherever you live.
I still think the best way to buy Certina is pre-owned. They lose a lot on resale. That may be difficult if you're after a specific low production model, though.
Ah, I didn’t notice that Macy’s now carries Certina. Macy’s is a Swatch group AD and one can get up to 25% off on their watches, sans Longines, during their Friends and Fam events.
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So, if they are not "currently represented in the USA" does that mean that the US outlets they cite are not Authorized Dealers? Do you get a warranty when you purchase from Teddy or Hodinkee? Or are Teddy and Hodinkee just brokers?
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My issue with wanting to order a watch of theirs specifically is with the DS+. If I want my DS+ actually custom built with the configurator they offer online, it wouldn't let me order it and tell me there's no AD near me and even then trying to use another country in the website wouldn't work where they did have an AD.
I like the black/white sports kit DS+ a lot, but I personally don't feel comfortable paying remotely anywhere more than $300-400 for a Powermatic 80 that's coming with a nato strap. I'd at least swap it out for their Horween or milanese strap and I don't even like milanese. This is a $1,000+ watch kit we're talking about, I just wish the customization and purchase was actually accessible but affordable? I understand it won't.
I like the black/white sports kit DS+ a lot, but I personally don't feel comfortable paying remotely anywhere more than $300-400 for a Powermatic 80 that's coming with a nato strap. I'd at least swap it out for their Horween or milanese strap and I don't even like milanese. This is a $1,000+ watch kit we're talking about, I just wish the customization and purchase was actually accessible but affordable? I understand it won't.
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Correct, MIDO is very prominent in Mexico and Central America.
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631 Posts
Mido is also very widely available here in Singapore, as is Hamilton and Tissot.
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I bought my DS1000 PH online and actually had it shipped to Singapore a couple of weeks ago (came in with no customs, surprisingly). I bought mine from Olfert but there are several European that do carry them and do a nice little discount as well.
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11,109 Posts
Stock ETA movement, isnt it? That shouldnt be hard at all.
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463 Posts
Somewhat related: That chronograph in the original post is beautiful. If they made it in a smaller case (it’s 42mm) I buy one right now.
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Thats pretty cool that no customs was taxed on it, could it be that they undervalued the receipt for you to avoid it? Risky of course. Just checked out Olfert - they have it in stock. But may i ask how do i get a discount?
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