« Urban Dress Watch or Chronograph with Moon Phase »
Safety, robustness, and longevity: if you choose a watch for its practical qualities, you often have to compromise on elegance. It's a trade-off that the traditional Swiss brand Certina takes on with its DS 8 collection: in Le Locle, the goal is to unite aesthetics and functionality seamlessly. We took a closer look at the dress watches and chronographs of the DS 8 line and explain whether this promising symbiosis succeeds.
Double Security Since 1959: The DS Concept
True to their name, all women's and men's watches in the collection feature the brand's in-house DS technology. The abbreviation stands for "Double Security" and marks the functional heart of these timepieces. The principle behind this innovation, now more than 60 years old, is easy to explain:
On the one hand, the movement is decoupled from the case by a rubber ring; on the other, the crown has a double gasket. The result is high water resistance and shock resistance alike.
The concept is rounded out by a special winding stem design made of several interlocking components, allowing it to absorb even stronger impacts. Without this construction, the thin stem would face a significantly higher risk of breaking.
Effective Protection Under the Sign of the Turtle
In total, Certina defines five properties the DS concept must deliver: anti-magnetism, water resistance, longevity, shock resistance, and robustness. Like the shell of a turtle, the emblem of the manufacturer founded in 1888, the watch is meant to confidently withstand all external influences.
What sounds convincing in theory raises an important question: can the DS 8 collection live up to these demanding criteria? A look at the water resistance of the many models makes us optimistic: every edition is rated to 100 meters, from the small 27-millimeter Lady dress watch all the way to the DS 8 Chronograph with moon phase. Certainly not a top figure compared to dedicated dive watches, but a very respectable one in the elegant league.
Speaking of model variety: as part of the Certina Urban line, the pure DS-8 dress watch caters to both masculine and feminine tastes, with a choice of quartz or automatic movements in each case. While the electronic calibers rely on the brand's in-house "Precidrive" technology for up to ten times the accuracy of conventional quartz movements, the mechanical option is the proven "Powermatic 80." Known by its technical designation ETA C07.111, it impresses with a truly outstanding power reserve of 80 hours and should be familiar to seasoned Swatch Group fans from numerous Tissot models. You won't find more endurance in the three-figure price range.
DS 8 Dress Watch: A Sturdy Companion in Refined Attire
To bring a little order to the Certina DS 8 family, it helps to divide it into dress watches and chronographs. The former group comprises the majority of editions and is defined by a consistently classic design. The women's watches in particular, ranging in size from 27 to 32.5 millimeters, appeal to their wearers with a simple design and high-quality craftsmanship. The feminine DS 8 dress watch doesn't aim to be a wild exotic, but an exemplary Swiss timepiece. If you prefer a bit of variety and charming details, the Lady Moon Phase in mother-of-pearl is probably your best choice – it shimmers almost irresistibly on the wrist. For the men's watches, too, Certina focuses on proven beauty rather than revolutionary accents.
The dress watch comes in three variants: while the Powermatic 80 features Roman numerals and a date display at six o'clock, the Moonphase and Chronometer variants are distinguished by the aforementioned quartz movement and a date display at three o'clock. An interesting detail: if you forgo the mechanical experience and order the Certina men's quartz watch, you get the coveted COSC certification on top. The electronic timepieces are also larger, at 40.2 and 41 millimeters for the Chronometer and Moonphase respectively, than the Powermatic, which measures 38 millimeters in diameter.
Highlight of the Collection: DS 8 Chronograph with Moon Phase
The selection of chronographs is much more manageable, as there is just one women's and one men's model. On the feminine side, the 34.5-millimeter Lady Chronograph enters the race, offering six color variants and standing out as the functional winner among the women's watches. It manages to combine the brand's signature durability with the harmony of a piece of jewelry. Add to that the good value for money: according to the manufacturer, the Swiss chronograph costs between 540 and 630 euros. These sums aren't enough for the masculine DS 8 Chronograph with moon phase – its price range extends from 760 to 870 euros. In return, the buyer not only gets a well-executed composition of moon phase and totalizers on the dial, but can also choose from eight model variants.
Whether warm rose gold, cool gray, or shimmering blue – the Swiss chronograph brings upscale individuality to an attractive price level. These moderate terms are only possible thanks to the quartz movement inside – a precise solution, but one that many enthusiasts find too technical and lacking in emotion. The selection would only be perfect if you could choose between quartz and automatic for the moon phase chronograph. Otherwise, this functional companion makes no missteps: like all Certina Urban editions, it features anti-reflective sapphire crystal, a date display, and solidly finished stainless steel. Another clear plus is its 41-millimeter size – a perfect balance between compactness and sufficient presence.
Conclusion: A Successful Symbiosis
The Certina DS 8 is the best proof that intelligent robustness and elegant beauty can go hand in hand. Equipped with the traditional Swiss brand's proven DS technology, it combines longevity and individuality in an attractive price range. Beginners as well as experienced enthusiasts and fashion-conscious women will therefore find it worthwhile to take a closer look at these high-quality all-rounders from Le Locle.
