Discover Certina

Certina's origins date back to 1888, when brothers Adolf and Alfred Kurth established a small watchmaking workshop in Grenchen, Switzerland. Initially employing just three people and operating next to the family home, the Kurth brothers produced watch movements and components for other manufacturers in the region.

As their expertise grew, the company began producing their own timepieces. In 1906, they introduced the brand Grana, derived from the Latin name for Grenchen. This marked the company's transition from component supplier to watch manufacturer.

During the 1930s, the name Certina began appearing on the company's watches. Derived from the Latin word "certus", meaning reliable or certain, the name reflected the brand's focus on precision and durability. The trademark was officially registered in 1939 and gradually replaced the Grana name, becoming the company's sole brand identity by 1949.

Watches produced under the earlier Grana name also earned historical recognition. One notable example is the Grana "Dirty Dozen" military watch, produced for the British Army during World War II. Today it is considered the rarest and most collectible of the twelve military watches made to that specification.

In the late 1950s, leadership of the company passed to the second generation of the Kurth family, brothers Hans and Edwin Kurth. Under their direction, Certina focused on developing robust watches designed for sports and outdoor activities.

In 1959, Certina introduced the innovation that would define the brand: the DS (Double Security) Concept. Designed to improve durability, the system used a reinforced case construction and a shock-absorbing rubber ring that suspended the movement inside the case, protecting it from impacts and pressure.

This technology significantly increased water resistance and reliability, establishing Certina as a leading sport watch manufacturer. Around this period, the brand adopted its iconic turtle emblem, symbolising strength and longevity.

Certina demonstrated the robustness of its DS watches through real-world expeditions and scientific projects.

1960: Certina watches accompanied the first successful ascent of Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) in the Himalayas.

1965: They were worn by aquanauts during the U.S. Navy's Sealab II underwater research project.

1969: Divers in the Tektite underwater habitat project, led by the U.S. Navy and NASA, relied on Certina watches.

1970: Certina chronographs were used during a Japanese expedition to Mount Everest.

In 1976, world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali received a Certina watch during a visit to Munich.

In 1983, Certina became a founding member of the SMH Group following the merger of ASUAG and SSIH. The group would later become the Swatch Group, one of the world's largest watchmaking groups.

In 2013, Certina introduced a new corporate identity, returning to its historical roots. The iconic turtle emblem, symbolising durability and longevity, once again appeared prominently on the brand's watches and collections.

In 2017, Certina strengthened its environmental commitment through sustainable initiatives, including recyclable packaging and a partnership with the Sea Turtle Conservancy, an organisation dedicated to protecting sea turtles.

In 2019, the brand adopted the Nivachronâ„¢ balance spring, developed in collaboration with the Swatch Group, significantly improving resistance to magnetic fields and enhancing the reliability of mechanical movements.

In 2022, Certina launched the DS+ system, an innovative watch concept that allows wearers to easily change the case, watch head, and strap without tools, creating multiple design combinations from a single watch.