Durability has always been part of Certina’s DNA. Since 1959, the brand’s Double Security (DS) Concept has protected its watches from the two most common enemies of timepieces: water ingress and physical shock. While other watchmakers focused on luxury finishes and delicate designs, Certina quietly became the name trusted by adventurers, divers, and explorers, those who needed a watch that could survive the real world.

The DS Concept: A Philosophy of Strength

The DS system was a breakthrough in watchmaking. By suspending the movement within a shock-absorbing mount and reinforcing the case with extra seals and a sapphire crystal, Certina created watches that could take punishment while staying precise. This commitment to toughness became a brand hallmark, and it wasn’t long before DS watches were tested in some of the harshest environments on Earth.

Proven in the Field: A History of Real-World Endurance

Certina’s DS watches didn’t just stay in display cases or on the wrists of city dwellers. They earned their reputation the hard way, through adventure, danger, and performance under pressure.

1960: Conquering Dhaulagiri

A Certina DS watch joined a Swiss mountaineering expedition to Dhaulagiri, the seventh highest mountain in the world at 8,167 metres. Despite freezing temperatures, fierce winds, and the risk of impact damage in harsh terrain, the watch functioned perfectly, proving that DS durability was no marketing claim.

1965: Under the Sea with Sealab II

The DS concept went deep underwater when it accompanied the US Navy’s Sealab II project, a pioneering experiment in underwater living. Subjected to intense pressure and corrosive saltwater, the DS watch emerged unscathed, its waterproofing and shock resistance uncompromised.

1970: Skiing Down Everest

Japanese skier Yuichiro Miura wore a Certina DS watch during his daring descent of Mount Everest, skiing from 8,000 metres. Facing violent shocks, temperature extremes, and unpredictable movements, the watch performed without failure, a testament to its rugged design.

The Legacy Lives On

This legacy shapes every Certina model produced today. From the DS Action Diver to the DS-2 and the latest New DS Concept, each timepiece carries the lessons learned on mountains, in oceans, and across decades of engineering refinement.

For Certina, shock resistance isn’t an add-on feature, it’s a philosophy. In a market filled with fragile, high-priced wristwear, Certina’s DS watches remain purpose-built tools: strong, reliable, and ready for adventure.

In a world where technology changes fast but trust is hard-earned, Certina’s DS legacy stands firm. Whether you dive, climb, ski, or simply want a watch that won’t let you down, Certina’s Double Security system ensures that durability is more than history. It’s the present, and the future.