Certina DS Action Diver Auto

19876 Views 26 Replies 16 Participants Last post by OSUMBA2003, Jul 22, 2015

0Jewels

Discussion Starter · Sep 10, 2012 (Edited)

6

After months of deliberation, scouring of forums, and trying watches following this thread: What to buy: Auto diver, $300-$700, 40-42mm, Black Dial, Steel Bracelet, Handsome Looking, Accurate where I had requested for recommendations on an auto diver, I finally decided to go ahead with Certina DS Action Diver. Thanks everyone who either contributed directly to that thread or indirectly by posting their experiences, with certain watches, on WUS.

There were many choices within my price range. Towards the end I was mainly looking at: Armida A2 (flat crystal), Archimede SportTaucher, Certina DS Action Diver. Decided against Archimede because of the numbers on the face and it was between A2 and Certina. I only wanted to buy one so went with Certina.

Very happy with it so far except that it's been gaining about 12 - 14 sec/day so far. Have had the watch only for a few days. Do you guys think it will get better?

Here are some quick and dirty pics:

I like the fact that it's not too thick.

Doesn't glow like torch at night, but when I'm in total darkness I can still see the hands which is good enough for me. It's a usable and functional watch. This pic is after charging the lume with the cellphone LED flash for about 10-15 seconds.

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Reactions: 5

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HDPETECH

· #2 · Sep 11, 2012

Nice piece. congratulations.

KurthFreres

· #3 · Sep 11, 2012

It's a great diver watch and very wise purchase |>, congrats.

vokotin

· #4 · Sep 11, 2012

Don't worry about accuracy, it is running within specs and with a constant daily wear ( 3-4 months period) it should get a little bit better.
Enjoy, it's a nice looking watch!

typericey

· #5 · Aug 2, 2013

apologies for bringing this thread from the dead. I'm interested in the newer blue dial/bezel. just wanted to ask if the bezel is ceramic or not?

Statick

· #6 · Aug 2, 2013

typericey said:
apologies for bringing this thread from the dead. I'm interested in the newer blue dial/bezel. just wanted to ask if the bezel is ceramic or not?

I believe the bezel has an acrylic coating. I really hope they offer the chronograph in that blue dial sometime soon.

Blue bird

· #7 · Aug 2, 2013

typericey said:
apologies for bringing this thread from the dead. I'm interested in the newer blue dial/bezel. just wanted to ask if the bezel is ceramic or not?

I don't believe any models were ceramic. I believe they are all acrylic.
I own the same DS Action SS model as the OP and honestly you cannot go wrong.
They are amazing watches

seikomatic

· #8 · Aug 2, 2013

I like this

vokotin

· #9 · Aug 2, 2013

Blue bird said:
I don't believe any models were ceramic. I believe they are all acrylic.

No ceramic, no acrylic, it's lacquered metal.

Memphis1

· #10 · Aug 2, 2013

the DS First is the only model with Ceramic Bezels from Certina.

Blue bird

· #11 · Aug 3, 2013

vokotin said:
No ceramic, no acrylic, it's lacquered metal.

Thanks for the info. The finish on the bezel is amazing.
I happen to be wearing mine today!

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epezikpajoow

· #12 · Aug 3, 2013

I have had the exact same watch, IMHO it is one of the best looking watches in that pricerange. The titanium version is also a beauty. It is a brand that produces a comprehensive line of watches but for some reason not als "well know" as other Swiss brands in that pricerange like Tissot and Hamilton.

Is it available in the US already?

Enjoy it!

Riddim Driven

· #13 · Aug 3, 2013

For all the praise these Certina Action Diver's get, and us much as people enjoy them, including me. Then why are people not willing to pay a fair price on the SF's :-s I've seen them languish, and folks keep lowering their price to sell them. I'm certainly not gonna give mine away. As is said it's a very nice watch and the quality is heads above, say, Steinhart.

What gives? :think:

RD

Reactions: 2

vokotin

· #14 · Aug 3, 2013

Riddim Driven said:
For all the praise these Certina Action Diver's get, and us much as people enjoy them, including me. Then why are people not willing to pay a fair price on the SF's :-s I've seen them languish, and folks keep lowering their price to sell them. I'm certainly not gonna give mine away. As is said it's a very nice watch and the quality is heads above, say, Steinhart.

What gives? :think:

RD

Really?
The Certina DS Action diver better than a Steinhart sub which uses a screwed links bracelet rather than split pins? :-d

Be strong my friend and don't give it away, it truly is a very nice looking watch! b-)

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Riddim Driven

· #15 · Aug 3, 2013

vokotin said:
Really?
The Certina DS Action diver better than a Steinhart sub which uses a screwed links bracelet rather than split pins? :-d

Be strong my friend and don't give it away, it truly is a very nice looking watch! b-)

Well, bracelets aside, I just think the Certina has truer Swiss heritage & credibility, officially ISO rated, superior gasket system, movement suspended for greater shock absorption, and i didn't have to send it back 7 times (4 different Ocean series) for QC issues :-d

And I just really like the design that detracts from so many sub look-a-likes b-)

Thanks Mate!

RD

Reactions: 3

Blue bird

· #16 · Aug 3, 2013

epezikpajoow said:
I have had the exact same watch, IMHO it is one of the best looking watches in that pricerange. The titanium version is also a beauty. It is a brand that produces a comprehensive line of watches but for some reason not als "well know" as other Swiss brands in that pricerange like Tissot and Hamilton.

Is it available in the US already?

Enjoy it!

No AD's in North America.
It's one of the best brands in it's price range. I really wish they would bring an AD to Canada so I could see the model ranges in person but I guess Swatch fears that Certina would take away from Hamilton and Tissot. There are very few Certina AD's that are willing to ship to Canada and US I presume. I've only found 2.

adswuk

· #17 · Aug 4, 2013 (Edited)

vokotin said:
No ceramic, no acrylic, it's lacquered metal.

I own 2 of these the titanium and the Blue SS and the bezel insert is in indeed acrylic it is not metal in any way and it is not ceramic .. when used it will scratch, and the numbers are clearly printed underneath and are in the first twenty luminous. Hence plastic bezel

One more thing, I did inspect both and have E mailed Certina with the following question ... why do both watches have only one seal on the crown .. One O ring seal .. nothing on the stem as they state and only one on the inside of the crown . One Single seal that surrounds the stem ? Not what their promotional material states

They have not answered yet

adswuk

· #18 · Aug 4, 2013 (Edited)

Riddim Driven said:
Well, bracelets aside, I just think the Certina has truer Swiss heritage & credibility, officially ISO rated, superior gasket system, movement suspended for greater shock absorption, and i didn't have to send it back 7 times (4 different Ocean series) for QC issues :-d

And I just really like the design that detracts from so many sub look-a-likes b-)

Thanks Mate!

RD

I love my watches and I think they are great value I own 2, blue SS and a Titanium one ... but they have only one seal in the crown not three as they state .. The movement is mounted by a very standard spacer ring ( made of SS ) with standard 2 screws holding it in nothing special at all , the back is not any better than any watch I own and all in all they are just very nice watches and good value .

The marketing is all BS and frankly its worse than most, as they clearly lie in the material and diagrams posted with regards to seals and mounting ... The movement is the very cheapest 2824 with Etachok system ( Cheapest Version of 2824 ) as I have said there is only one single rubber seal in the crown to seal the case tube (not two and not one on the stem or inside the tube ) the case back is 100% the same as any other watch I own and the bracelet is just push pins .

They are however good value at 700 USD each or there about, and before you scream FAKE both are 100% authentic from ADs with cards boxes and all .

I must confess I didn't like the marketing BS that I found after opening one and then 2 to check reality .

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Blue bird

· #19 · Aug 4, 2013

Riddim Driven said:
Well, bracelets aside, I just think the Certina has truer Swiss heritage & credibility, officially ISO rated, superior gasket system, movement suspended for greater shock absorption, and i didn't have to send it back 7 times (4 different Ocean series) for QC issues :-d

And I just really like the design that detracts from so many sub look-a-likes b-)

Thanks Mate!

RD

I've had the same problems with most if the Steinharts I've owned as well. QC is really hit and miss with them.

Reactions: 1

vokotin

· #20 · Aug 4, 2013 (Edited)

3

adswuk said:
I own 2 of these the titanium and the Blue SS and the bezel insert is in indeed acrylic it is not metal in any way and it is not ceramic .. when used it will scratch, and the numbers are clearly printed underneath and are in the first twenty luminous. Hence plastic bezel

One more thing, I did inspect both and have E mailed Certina with the following question ... why do both watches have only one seal on the crown .. One O ring seal .. nothing on the stem as they state and only one on the inside of the crown . One Single seal that surrounds the stem ? Not what their promotional material states

They have not answered yet

Unfortunately nowadays the Certina DS line up has nothing to do with their past production.

Thinking about the very robust in house caliber 25-651 used in countless models coupled with their patented Double Security System, a very efficient anti shock device consisting of an additional synthetic rubber ring, on which the whole module floated on.

Motor vehicle Parallel Diagram Vehicle Illustration

Pic borrowed.. Certina DS-2

Watch Analog watch Watch accessory Strap Fashion accessory

The DS Action Diver's shock protection in comparison looks nothing alike.

Pic borrowed.

Auto part Wheel Automotive wheel system Rim Metal

As for the bezel insert always thought it was hard bakelite painted with special varnishes immune to seawater corrosion, very nice touch by the way it feels high quality, for some strange reason I started changing mind when a friend of mine told me that he was unable to remove it..
I think Certina should clear things up once and for all, providing a full disclosure on this matter.

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