One of the best value watch brands around, Certina dropped its latest launch over the Easter bank holiday: the DS-2 Chronograph Automatic.
The new piece is inspired by the Certina DS-2 Chronolympic — a chronograph model that was first introduced in the 1960s and was known for its accuracy, durability, and sporty look.
Designed for use in sports timing, the Chronolympic was used by various organisations, including the Olympic Games, which helped it to become a popular choice for athletes and adventurers.
In 1970, five examples of the original Chronolympic accompanied a Japanese expedition to Mount Everest and, during the team’s descent, it became a watch that made history when an example was worn by Yuichiro Miura.
Miura became the first adventurer to successfully ski 2,000 metres down the South Col route of Mount Everest, travelling at speeds up to 160km/hr. During this adventure, he was wearing the DS-2 Chronolympic and, overnight, the prestige and popularity of the watch was assured.
Miura’s achievement later became the subject of Academy Award-winning film, “The Man Who Skied Down Everest”. The 1975 documentary directed by Bruce Nyznik and narrated by Douglas Rain, chronicles Miura’s journey as well as covering the preparations for the expedition, including equipment testing.
As well as taking on-board all of this incredible sporting history, the new DS-2 Chronograph Automatic combines a vintage aesthetic with cutting-edge technology in the form of a sporty, retro design and a silicon hairspring, which is resistant to magnetism, corrosion and changes in temperature.
The new DS-2 is presented in a shield-shaped, steel case measuring 43.3 x 40.5mm. The round dial has a small seconds at 9 o’clock, 30-minute counter at 3 and date window at 6. An outer tachometric scale completes the indications.
Two options are available. The first is PVD coated in yellow gold and has a green dial with contrasting golden indices and hands coated with Super-LumiNova. The watch is presented on a brown leather strap.
The second version is in polished steel with blue dial accented by white, yellow and red. The watch comes on a dark blue fabric strap with decorative yellow stitching.
Within the case is the self-winding ETA A05.231 with 68 hours of power reserve and a hairspring made of silicon.
On sale now, the watch retails at £1,885
