Reliable, precise, innovative: Certina has dedicated over 130 years to the fine art of Swiss watchmaking. We prioritise high-quality workmanship, modern technology and true sporting spirit. And we don't just mean top athletic performances. It's about reliability, sustainability and being open to new things.
In order to ensure that all Certina timepieces meet these various standards, they must adhere to strict quality criteria. These criteria are reflected in the uncompromisingly robust "Double Security" DS Concept as well as in the "Swiss Made" mark of origin and quality label which characterises all the timepieces in the collection.
In the late 1940s, Swiss watchmaking company Gebrüder Kurth AG launched a new brand name for the company: Certina, from the Latin certus, meaning "assured, certain". Until around 1953, the name "Certina" was printed on the watch dials in a cursive font, with the letters connected. Starting in 1954, the brand name appeared in block letters, as it is today. The now well-known trademark with the two rotating "C" shapes, one inside the other, was introduced in 1958 following a competition for graphic designers. Versions of the Certina logo in white lettering on a red background represent the brand's "Swissness".
The notable success of the uncompromisingly robust DS Concept led to the integration in 2013 of the turtle emblem, familiar from the back of Certina watch cases, into the logo.
Durability and reliability are of critical importance to Certina. These values led to the development of the unique DS Concept, which was first launched by the brand in 1959 and stands for "Double Security" (DS). These extensive security features in the structure of every single Certina timepiece, regardless of collection or function, are what makes it so robust and reliable in the long term.
Back in the 1960s, the first Certina DS models demonstrated their extraordinary quality and durability in a series of spectacular expeditions and research projects. Would you like to find out more? Read a summary of our company history here.
The turtle shell symbolises robustness and durability – characteristics borne by all Certina watches, without exception. It's therefore no wonder that the turtle shell has been the brand's personal symbol since the 1960s. To this day, the characteristic outline can still be found on almost every Certina timepiece, as well as on the brand logo. It evokes the extraordinary durability which characterises every Certina watch.
However, the turtle shell is also an expression of Certina's affinity with the element of water. In the past, the brand has been involved in some significant international underwater research projects and currently lends its support to the Sea Turtle Conservancy and its Tour de Turtles. The Florida-based organisation is dedicated to ensuring the survival of the sea turtle and conserving its habitats. Find out more about the Sea Turtle Conservancy, its aims and its partnership with Certina here.
All Certina watches bear the "Swiss Made" mark of origin and quality label, which shows them to be authentic paradigms of Swiss watchmaking. The brand has been based in Switzerland since 1888 and feels inextricably linked to its historical and geographical roots.
"Swiss Made" not only shows the material origin of the watch, it also alludes to its background. The requirements that this designation places on the watch and movement are stringent and clearly defined. This means that the buyer of an original "Swiss Made" timepiece can be certain that they own a watch of real Swiss quality.