1888: Founding of the factory at Grenchen, Switzerland. Reliability, precision, innovation: the Kurth Brothers' fundamental principles to guide the Swiss company's early years. The firm rapidly climbs to an important rank in the international watchmaking world.
2008: Certina confirms its definitive commitment to the Formula 1 Championship as Official Partner to the BMW Sauber F1 Team, with the prolongation of their agreement.
Two dates, yet one common denominator. The spirit of a great brand driven by a tradition of uncompromising excellence, through its deep commitment to the use of the very finest components and materials: titanium, 316L stainless steel, sapphire crystal and famous Swiss Made ETA movements. As the Swiss leader for sport watches in the price segment between CHF 300.00 and CHF 2,000.00, Certina has always championed the best quality at an accessible price. From early on, the brand showed a keen interest in the world of sports, quite notably so with the introduction of its Double Security concept in 1959, which raised water and shock resistance to new levels. Tested during a number of extreme international expeditions, Certina DS timepieces successfully withstood the most challenging conditions. Through decades, Certina has boasted great dynamism and allied its name to those of legendary champions such as Muhammad Ali, Mike Doohan, Alex Crivillé, Colin McRae, Petter Solberg, Sete Gibernau, Edith Hunkeler, Timo Glock and numerous others, including Hollywood stuntman Oliver Keller. The 3rd millennium began with a bang. From 2001 until 2007, the company stood behind Swiss rider Thomas Lüthi on the GP motorcycling circuit, and at the end of the 2005 season, he was crowned 125cc World Champion, before he finally joined the 250cc category in 2007. The 2005 calendar had been an eventful one for Certina, as it had marked the brand's bold move into the world of Formula 1 racing as Official Partner of the Sauber Petronas team. In 2006, the firm's ties with Formula 1 were consolidated by the signing on of a new brand ambassador, the young, talented Robert Kubica, driver at the newly-named and larger BMW Sauber F1 Team. In 2008, Certina's commitment to F1 is strengthened by the prolongation of their agreement with the BMW Sauber F1 Team. Theirs is a natural alliance, for in watchmaking as in motor sport, passion pushes all boundaries, and talent, determination and top technology banish all compromise on the road to success.
True to its philosophy, Certina has forever shown outstanding aesthetic innovation, and today lends its creative talent to a sport-oriented style. Whether its collections lean toward a classical, elegant or extreme theme, the brand continues to express a great mastery of time, and keeping with today's most cutting-edge lifestyles.