Certina’s new colourful DS-X GMT is an affordable option for summer adventures
Tom Austin- Certina introduces a new multifunctional travel watch in five different styles, designed for adventure and versatility
- Combining features such as a compass, a GMT function and dive capabilities, the new DS-X GMT is a hardcore go-anywhere, do-anything tool watch
- From understated green or red and black, to bold and vibrant blue, orange and white, there are three colourways to choose from, either on a rubber strap or a steel bracelet
The watch world is in full technicolour this season, with every brand you can think of releasing some wild and colourful variations of their latest pieces. Certina, a brand with over 130 years in the industry, is not one to give in and let the other brands have all the fun, and so it has released its latest adventure watch with a splash of on-trend colour, the DS-X GMT. As a brand, Certina doesn’t seem to get the attention it deserves, and with this new release combining multiple technical features with an exciting colour palette, the brand is looking to offer a strong alternative in a busy corner of the market.
The term “sports watch” is somewhat of a misnomer, because there are few watches that are specifically categorised to be designed for a particular sport or pastime. Usually, a “sports watch” tends to lean towards themes of land, sea, or air-based activities; they offer features that may be helpful in those circumstances, but ultimately, are either flawed in their execution or often too luxurious and expensive to even be worn while engaging in them. The DS-X GMT is an option that changes that, bringing together several features into a single, affordable package that performs well and looks good doing so.
The DS-X is a rugged companion, measuring 41mm in diameter and 12.15mm thick; it’s as big as you would expect any other watch in this category to be, ensuring it’s both rugged and functional. The case is made of 316L stainless steel for excellent corrosion resistance, and with more brushed surfaces than polished, it’s definitely a case designed for some action. Crown guards protecting a screw-down crown and a screwed case back hold everything in place, offering the watch a substantial 200 meters of water resistance. The watch does carry a little more bulk in terms of thickness, mainly due to the thicker crystal and chunky multifunctional bezel.
The colourful rotating bezel is probably one of the biggest draws to this watch, combining both a GMT night & day function with a compass, for some versatile functionality. The compass ring has a friction fit, meaning it can be turned independently of the aluminium GMT bezel, which can be turned with a click after pressing the compass bezel down. This is a unique and well-considered feature that sets the watch apart from the typical crowd of rotating bezels. Yes, you can use pretty much any watch as a compass if you know how, but it’s a neat feature nonetheless.
The DS-X GMT is available in three different colours, two of which are familiar GMT styles. The black portions of the bezel represent the night, and the red or green portions represent the day. The third option is a much more colourful blue and orange option, and when paired with a white dial, it shines as the hero watch of the trio. The dial on the darker bezels features a classy grey sunburst effect, complemented by bezel-matching dial text and a GMT hand, while the white contrasts perfectly against the blue and orange details. Both dials feature applied hour markers, filled with Super-LumiNova for high legibility in low-light conditions.
Keeping things reliable and affordable, the DS-X is quartz-powered rather than mechanical, utilising an ETA F06.865 flyer GMT movement, set inside Certina’s HeavyDrive shock protection system. Considering where this watch sits in terms of category, it’s unusual to see a quartz movement, but you cannot question its accuracy and reliability. There’s a good reason some of the most rugged watches in the world are quartz-powered. While the DS-X may not feature a caller GMT movement, at this price point, I don’t think that can be argued, because here the benefits of quartz add to the overall package.
Technically, the DS-X GMT is available in five different styles, as Certina offers the watch on either a steel bracelet or a colour-matching rubber strap on the green and red models. These are more subtle, with the red version offering black rubber, and the green is paired with a matching olive green rubber. The crazy blue and orange model arrives only on a neon blue strap, which, again, I think is the model of choice for most. The quick-release stainless steel bracelet is closed with a folding clasp, primarily made from pressed steel. Although it’s fine, albeit somewhat dated, when compared to solid milled options we see elsewhere. With that said, some compromises must be made when considering watches at this price point, and it doesn’t detract from the watch itself, as the rubber strap option will likely be more popular anyway.
Certina DS-X GMT Price & Availability
The Certina DS-X GMT is available now directly from Certina retailers. Price: US$535 (rubber strap) US$560 (bracelet)
| Brand | Certina |
| Model | DS-X GMT |
| Reference | C047.452.17.011.00 – white dial, orange/blue bezel C047.452.17.081.01 – red bezel, black rubber C047.452.17.081.00 – green bezel, green rubber C047.452.11.081.01 – red bezel, steel bracelet C047.452.11.081.00 – green bezel, steel bracelet |
| Case Dimensions | 41mm (D) x 12.15mm (T) |
| Case Material | 316L stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 200 meters |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire with anti-reflective coating |
| Dial | White or grey sunburst effect |
| Bracelet | Colour-matching rubber straps or stainless steel bracelet |
| Movement | Quartz ETA F06.865 |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, GMT, compass |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | US$535 (rubber) US$560 (bracelet) |