Certina’s watchmaking legacy

 The Remarkable Journey of Certina: A Watchmaking Legacy.

Have you ever looked at a Certina watch and wondered about its interesting story? 

Let’s go back to 1888, when brothers Adolf and Alfred Kurth started a small workshop in Grenchen, Switzerland. 

With just three helpers working in a room next to their home, their company Kurth Frères SA, began making watch parts for other watchmakers.

a simple start that grew into something special over the years.

From Grana to Success: The Dirty Dozen and the Start of Certina.

In 1906, the Kurth brothers introduced their first complete watches under the name Grana, inspired by the Latin word "Granacus" for Grenchen.

These watches got a lot of praise and even won some awards. The big moment came during World War II when Grana joined the "Dirty Dozen".

A group of 12 Swiss watch brands chosen by the British Ministry of Defense in 1945 to make strong watches for soldiers.

Their tough designs kept time in hard situations, which was a proud time for the brand. 

The 1920s brought tough times with the Great Depression, so Erwin and Hans Kurth, the next generation, stepped in to keep things going. 

Around then, they picked the name Certina, based on the Latin word "certus" meaning "sure," and registered it in 1924. 

By 1949, Certina took over completely, leaving Grana behind. 

The DS Breakthrough and Fun Adventures.

The 1950s brought a new idea with the "DS" (Double Security) design in 1959. 

This clever setup put the watch’s insides in a rubber ring inside a sturdy case, making it shockproof and able to handle water up to 6 meters. 

The first DS watch climbed Dhaulagiri (8,167 meters) in 1960 and did great in the 1965 US Navy Sealab II and 1969 Tektite projects.

The 1960s and ’70s were full of excitement!

Certina DS-2 Chronolympic watches went on a 1970 Everest trip, and the 1971 Biostar could track daily energy levels. 

Even boxing star Muhammad Ali wore the scratch-resistant DS DiaMaster in 1976, showing it off during his big fight against Ken Norton.

Plus, Certina also gave reliable watches to the Royal Australian Navy to help with their sea work.

A Modern Win with the Swatch Group.

In the 1970s, Certina teamed up with General Watch Co. during the Quartz Crisis, a time when watchmaking changed a lot. 

The 1980s were a turning point for Certina, blending its heritage of precision with a sporty edge, ensuring it remained a trusted name in watches.

By 1983, they joined SMH (now the Swatch Group).

Certina’s  focus on sports watches laid the groundwork for its future.

In 2004, the DS-3 1000M dive watch, a limited-edition reissue of the 1970s DS-3 Super PH1000M, made history with its 1,000-meter water resistance, setting a record for depth capability in its class. 

This robust timepiece, with its helium escape valve and automatic ETA movement, became a favorite among divers. 

Certina continued to innovate, introducing the Powermatic 80 movement with an 80-hour power reserve in 2013 for its 125th anniversary, alongside a partnership with the FIA World Rally Championship, timing high-speed races with precision. 

Their commitment to sustainability shone through in 2017 with tide ocean straps made from recycled plastic, supporting the Sea Turtle Conservancy to protect marine life. 

By 2019, collaborations with German scuba divers further cemented Certina’s dive watch legacy. 

Certina’s blend of rugged durability, Swiss precision, and eco-conscious innovation continues to captivate adventurers and watch lovers alike.

Ticking steadily toward a bright future with the Swatch Group.