Certina doubles down on its love for turtles with the special edition DS Super PH1000M STC
Jamie WeissCertina loves turtles. The 136-year-old Swiss brand, best known for its signature “Double Security” O-ring gasket system, started using a turtle as one of its logos in 1959 to symbolise the waterproofness of their watches. Coincidentally, 1959 also marked the establishment of the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC), an international nonprofit that’s now the world’s oldest sea turtle research and conservation group. Founded by world-renowned sea turtle expert Dr Archie Carr, STC’s mission is “to save sea turtles from eminent extinction through rigorous science-based conservation”.
Fittingly, Certina has been a partner of STC since 2017 and has released several special edition watches in support of the organisation in the years since. 2024 marks their latest co-signed model, the DS Super PH1000M STC, which is based on the cult-favourite 70s super-diver and features an appropriately 70s vintage look.
The case
The Certina DS Super PH1000M STC is modelled after the DS-2 Super PH1000M. This beefy dive watch, first released in 1970, was notably used in the Tektite II program, a series of US underwater laboratory missions – the fifth of which featured the world’s first all-female saturation dive team. That is to say, it’s a tribute to a historically significant timepiece.
I say tribute because it’s not an exact 1-to-1 replica, although that’s no bad thing. The original featured a 44.5mm diameter and 18mm thick case, whereas this modern recreation is slightly slimmer at 43.5mm in diameter and 14.5mm thick. It’s still quite a large watch, even by today’s standards, but for a ‘superdiver’, that’s really not too bad. I’m sure modern consumers will not be complaining about these changes. Unlike the confusing naming schemes of some vintage dive watches (I’m looking at you, Doxa), the DS Super PH1000M STC is indeed water-resistant to 1,000m.
Indeed, I think its proportions suit its character as a proper retro tool watch. Its thick, gnarly push-down bezel, framed within its brushed tonneau case, screams “beefy”. This is a watch that looks like it can really take a beating. Other improvements over the original include the addition of a hidden helium escape valve and a screw-down crown that’s no longer recessed, making it much easier to grip than the original’s crown (at the expense of some protection). The closed caseback also features STC’s logo in place of Certina’s typical turtle logo.
The dial
The Certina DS Super PH1000M STC features a matte, washed-out blue dial that Certina says “hints at the special blue of the STC logo”, although it’s not exactly the same shade. This almost aged blue (which can also be found on its bezel) is contrasted by orange highlights, namely its minute hand and accents around its indices, which reinforce a vintage vibe while also nodding to the orange dials found on standard production Certina dive watches, including the regular version of the DS Super PH1000M.
There’s not much to complain about here with this watch’s dial. Rectangular lume plots, broad arrow hands and a non-Cyclopsed date window at 3 o’clock give it a clean, conventional, legible and handsome look. Some watch lovers might not like the dial text above and below the handset, which has been updated to account for the new model name and modern logo, but I don’t think it’s excessive and again, reinforces its vintage appeal.
The strap
Unlike the regular version of the DS Super PH1000M, which comes on an accordion-style rubber strap, the Certina DS Super PH1000M STC comes on a slightly thinner FKM strap with bright orange stitching and broad pin holes. A slightly rippled pattern on the reverse assists with ventilation. It’s a totally serviceable strap, although I’m personally not a huge fan of the fake sailcloth effect that surrounds the stitching. I do like the pop of colour that stitching provides, though.
The movement
Under the hood of the Certina DS Super PH1000M STC beats a Powermatic 80, which can be found in just about every entry-level Swatch Group product these days. Specifically, the version of this ubiquitous movement found in this Certina is the Powermatic 80.611, a slightly more premium 25-jewel version of this movement that features a Nivachron balance spring for improved anti-magnetism. Like other Powermatic 80 variants, it has an 80-hour power reserve and beats at 3 Hz.
The verdict
View this post on Instagram
Certina loves turtles, STC loves turtles, and I love turtles. I’ve been fortunate enough to snorkel with one (although I wasn’t wearing a DS Super PH1000M STC on my wrist when I did): if this special edition watch helps protect turtles, it’s already a winner in my books. Beyond that though, I like this model’s vintage look: its matte dial and anodised bezel insert in that washed-out blue look fantastic.
Certina DS Super PH1000M STC pricing & availability
The Certina DS Super PH1000M STC is available now. As was the case with Certina’s previous special editions, a portion of the proceeds from its sales will go directly to the STC. Price: US$940, CHF 915
| Brand | Certina |
| Model | DS Super PH1000M STC |
| Reference | C024.907.17.041.10 |
| Case Dimensions | 43.5mm (D) x 14.5mm (T) |
| Case Material | 316L stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 1,000 metres, screw-down crown |
| Dial | Matte blue |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Strap | Black FKM rubber with orange stitching, steel pin buckle |
| Movement | ETA Powermatic 80.611, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 80 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, push-down unidirectional diving bezel |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | US$940, CHF 915 |