Certina DS 8 Moon cadran anthracite index or bracelet cuir

Certina reaches for the moon!

Certina introduced its new moon phase at BaselWorld 2015. The function has been added to the DS-8, a model already appreciated for its Precidrive movement that displays a hundredth of a second in analogue.

By Emmanuel Adler

Certina is famous, amongst other things, for its regular collaboration with sports or the solidity that evoked its renowned “DS” – Double Safety – concept. Additionally, there is its affordable price range, which is also proof of the brand’s loyalty to its philosophy. Adrian Bosshardt, the brand’s CEO, explains that Certina is ranked just above Tissot within the ranking of its owner, the Swatch Group. Whilst positioned at a reasonable price range, it blends attractive materials such as titanium or aluminum and innovating functionalities such as the Precidrive.

Certina DS-8 Moon

And it has been going on for moons…

Certina hit the markets in 1938 to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of a company specializing in high-end watch supplies. Said company, founded by the Kurt brothers, Alfred and Adolph, in 1888 had also by then started to assemble its first complete watches.

Since 1959, Certina is well known for its shock-resistance thanks to its DS system – Double Security –, which also guarantees watch longevity. Hence, it came as little surprise that the brand chose something as unchanging as the moon cycle to decorate the dial of one of the iconic Certina DS watches. Luna influences everything we do, even to the extent of moving our oceans. In the same way, the addition of the moon phase on the dial of this new watch brought about many modifications in terms of display, which had to be reorganized. Thus, the 12-hour indication is now at an aperture on the inside of the 60-minute timer while the 60-second chronometer is indicated by the sweep second hand as the moon phase is at 10 o’clock.

Certina DS-8 Moon

Elegance and precision combined

The superb PVD-treated and pink gold hands and indexes have been coated with Superluminova to ensure readability is as clear as the perfect spectacle moonlight offers. The sunburst satiny-finished anthracite dial and the different chronometer indications are revealed through the two-sided antireflective sapphire glass.

The CERTINA DS-8 Moon Phase chronograph is water resistant to 100 meters. It is also available in a black or a silver dial, and comes with either a five-level satiny and polished stainless steel strap or a brown leather strap. In both cases the strap is attached to a two-pusher butterfly clasp. The new piece is equipped with the ETA G10.962 Precidrive movement and is housed in a 42-mm 316-l steel case, just as the other chronographs of the DS-8 range. It costs an unbeatable CHF 765.

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