Take a dive watch, add a chronograph and you get one of the most versatile timepieces around. Capable of withstanding the trials of the ocean while also providing timing utility on land. It’s a well-established combination, made most famous by regatta timers that use the high water resistance and timing complications to record yacht races. The new Certina DS Action Diver Chrono isn’t a purpose-built regatta timer, although it could fulfil that role and is instead a rugged and sporty tool watch for all occasions.
Well, when I say all occasions, I mean the occasions that warrant a tool watch. Measuring a ginormous 44.5mm in diameter, this is not a watch for delicate soirees. It’s a very tall watch as well with a thickness of 16.17mm. To call the DS Action Diver Chrono a large watch is an understatement by several orders of magnitude. However, that’s not necessarily a bad thing if you have wrists large enough to pull it off.
The current trend for smaller watches has actually resulted in people with larger wrists complaining that watches are too small. A stark contrast to a few years ago when it was those with small wrists having to put up with an industry obsessed with watches 42mm and larger. In reality, while we often talk about big watches or small watches being popular, there’s a need for watches of all sizes because humans come in lots of sizes too.
In terms of design, the case itself is relatively understated (as much as a watch at this size can be). It has smoothly sloping lugs and a circular design with built up crown guards at 3 o’clock. Plus, screw-down chronograph pushers help to ensure a secure 300m water resistance rating for aquatic activities.
Its dial is similarly a hybrid between traditional dive and chronograph designs. It has large circular hour markers coated with lume for low light legibility while the centre is occupied by subdials for small seconds and a 30-minute timer. Another concession to legibility is the lollipop tip on the central chronograph seconds hand. There are three colour combinations available, sand with black accents, black with silver or blue.
Inside the mammoth case sits the Valjoux A05.231 produced by ETA, which has a 68-hour power reserve. It also has a silicon balance spring providing good anti-magnetic resistance and reducing friction, which helps to improve the longevity and accuracy of the movement. It’s protected by a solid caseback featuring the signature Certina turtle logo. Although if you want to really lean into the turtle element you should check out the recent DS Super PH1000M STC.
In terms of price, the Certina DS Action Diver Chrono is £1,695 on textile strap or £1,750 on bracelet. It’s the sand version that’s presented on a striped textile strap while both the black and blue editions are on bracelet. If you’re in the market for a chunky diving chronograph, this definitely ticks all the sporty, rugged boxes you could ask for.
Price and Specs:
More details at Certina.
