2 minute read
CERTINA
THE WATCH WE DID NOT SEE COMING
Balazs Ferenczi
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Certina, like many Swatch Group brands, spends a lot of time and effort reintroducing vintage models to the watch market. Some say it’s an easy way to make a quick buck. I find it particularly exciting to see how the designers can reinterpret a piece for a whole new audience in modern times. To ensure that the watch reaches the expected success, the key here is to rerelease popular old models. And while the Certina Argonaut is a standard vintage chronograph, the Argonaut Chrono 200m is as rare as it gets. That’s why it was such a surprise that this was the model Certina reintroduced as the DS Chronograph Automatic 1968. Aside from the uninspiring product name, the timepiece is as incredible as it gets. Argonauts were made in a relatively short period between 1968 and 1972. During these four years,
Certina introduced eight references to the market. They were well-built, manual wind chronographs that even made it to the wrists of the Hungarian Air Force pilots of the 1970s. Luckily these beautiful timepieces are still easily sourced on the secondary market. This, I cannot say about the Chrono 200m.
Certina only made the Argonaut Chrono 200m for one year, between 1968 and 1969. Unlike the other Argonauts, it had a water resistance to 200m, a rotating 60-minute bezel, and a unique dial design. It featured extensive orange indexes on its black dial and a set of broad white hands.
The new DS Chronograph Automatic 1968 has all the features as its vintage counterpart with a few updates. The
case is now 43mm (instead of 38mm). Inside, the watch beats an automatic A05.H31 Certina caliber based on the Valjoux 7753. Such a fun coincidence that the vintage Argonaut chronographs also had Valjoux calibers inside them. Two-register models came with Valjoux 23 and three-register chronographs with Valjoux 726 movements. Lastly, the case back now has a display window. It’s a shame that the steel model comes with a NATO strap, though. It makes it complicated to admire the movement. Besides the needed improvements, the watch carries the same charm we vintage lovers adore in the 1960s models.
Next to the steel DS Chronograph Automatic 1968, which looks just like the Argonaut Chrono 200m, the brand also brought out a PVD coated steel model. This monochrome color-themed watch has a black leather strap with a quickrelease system and a black and white dial but otherwise, the exact details as the steel version. The price of both models is around the 2k mark. You can have the steel DS Chronograph Automatic 1968 for 1'930 CHF and the PVD version for 1'970 CHF. You may be undecided whether you want this timepiece or not. Well, no need to worry about the popularity of the watch. It’s a timepiece with a proven design for a great price that wears exceptionally well. The connection to one of the most remarkable vintage chronographs Certina ever made is just the added bonus.
