Practical debut: Certina DS Action Diver 40.5mm with a new DS concept Extreme shock resistance

For the last publication of 2025, Certina has expanded its popular DS Action Divers series with a new series of 40.5 -mm watches that occupy the room between the existing 38 -mm and 43 -mm -powermatic models of the brand. At a brief look the new one Certina DS Action Diver 40.5mm Hardly seems to be more than an additional size option for the collection. However, the new stack of ISO-certified diving guards also made up for the latest version of the Certina double security concept (formally referred to as “New DS Concept Extreme Shock Resistance”) in order to further increase its durability and resistance against effects.

The Double Security (DS) concept from Certina has been around since 1959 and essentially describes the Swiss brand method to create a very durable watch. Damage to watches typically occurs due to moisture in or effect, and while most modern watches have a system of seals to adequately prevent moisture from penetrating, the Certina DS concept also includes an internal shock-absorbing assembly system to protect the movement from harmful effects. Over the years, Certina has developed its DS concept steadily and the most important updates in his New DS concept of extreme shock resistance The system focuses specifically on further improving the resistance of a watch against vibrations and effects.

An essential part of Certina's DS concept was always suspending the movement inside the case with the help of a shock-absorbing assembly system, although the new DS concept-extracting method of earlier design indicates the movement into the middle with a thin ring-shaped nut, which delivers superior stability under intensive vibrations. Instead of attaching the dial directly to the front of the movement, a thin metal plate is placed between these two components and acts as a connection point to further prevent the transmission of shocks. The third key update, which draws the latest version of the Certina DS concept, refers to the sapphire crystal of the DS -Action Divers 40.5 mm and was further reinforced with a gently arched profile in order to distribute the effects more evenly.

Regardless of a curved profile and a newly reinforced design, the sapphire crystal on the Certina DS Action Diver 40.5 mm is still cracked or breaking if it gets a sufficiently strong effect. Provided that you do not fully smash the front of the watch, the new DS concept -Extrem shock strength system from Certina should offer sufficient protection against the various bumps, vibrations and effects that most people will experience in everyday life. To test the DS Action Diver 40.5 mm, Certina used the specially built device of the Swatch Group for measuring the shock resistance of wristwatches, and the new models were able to withstand the maximum limits of the test machine, which means that they significantly exceed ISO requirements.

As part of the opening start, Certina offers the DS Action Diver 40.5 mm in four different configurations. In addition to a titanium model with a blue dial (Ref. C048.407.44.041.00) and a stainless steel version that is equipped with a white dial (Ref. C048.407.11.011.00), are two additional stainless steel references with black dials with gold anti -gold accents, and the buyers have the option of choosing between a stainless steel bracelet (Ref. C048.407.11.051.01) or a striped NATO strap (Ref. C048.407.18.051.01). From a visual point of view, the new 40.5 mm watches offer a total eye that is very similar to the other models from the collection, such as the 43 -mm -M -DS -Action -Diversium, and despite reduced proportions, the new 40.5 mm clocks still offer the same 300 meters of water resistance.

The new Certina DS Action Diver models is located with a diameter of 40.5 mm to 14.1 mm thick, with a towing width of 20 mm and a total profile of 48 mm and sits directly in the size sweet-sweet spot for what many of today's collectors want from a diving guard, and the stainless steel models weight of approximately 90 grams (not in including their strips or the bracelets). Around the gently curved crystal on the DS action diver 40.5 mm, a unidirectional timing bezel with a ceramic 60-minute use and on the referee is surrounded. C048.407.18.051.01 Here the engraved bezel is completed in gold and fits the gilded accents on the hands and the dial. Just like you would expect from an iso-certified diving guard, the solid caseback and the signed winding crown are screwed together on the middle case, and while the new 40.5 mm DS action diver is not particularly thin, I would hardly consider it disproportionate or unmistakable on the wrist.

The dials Fitted to the Certina Ds Action Diver 40.5mm Models Offer to Appearance that is incredibly similar to what can be observed Among their larger 43mm siblings, and unlike the dials fitted to the brand's ds action gmt powermatic 80 watches that luminous hour markers at the 3 o'clock position, Certina's DS Action Diver Models Feature A Truncated Luminous Index Next to Their Date Windows to Comply with the Latest ISO Requirements for diving boxes. On the reference C048.407.18.051.01, the piles with gold anti -gold frames are located on a shiny black surface, and the three centrally mounted hand mirrors. The appearance of the indices with a sophisticated golden finish and the Super Luminova, which emit an aqua blue blue glow in the dark.

Since the trio of hands on the Certina ds action diver appear 40.5 mm in different shapes, the likelihood that one is different for another is even if they quickly indicate the time in complete darkness. However, I hope that Certina only made the tiny hand a little longer to bring his top closer to the corresponding markings of the minute route. However, the length of the tiny hand is clearly a deliberate decision (and not an oversight or just laziness), and if you look at one of the other DS -Action -Divers models from Certinas, you will find that the tips of your tiny hands are increasingly aligned with your indices instead of reaching your tiny tracks, which surround the periphery of your orders Chapter rings are printed.

Just like with your 38 mm and 43 mm siblings, the 40.5 mm-certina DS Action Diver models are carried out on the automatic movement of ETA PowerMatic 80.611, in which a swatch group-exclusive caliber is based on the core architecture of the well-known ETA 2824. Lower the operating frequency of the ETA 2824 to 21,600 VPH (3 Hz), which offers a noticeably longer electricity reserve of 80 hours. In theory, a lower frequency should lead to less precise time measurements, although my personal experiences with various iterations of the PowerMatic 80 were quite positive, and I have not found that they are less precise than their non -modified standard siblings.

The 20 -mm black and beige striped NATO strap, which with the Certina DS Action Diver Ref. C048.407.18.051.01 is objectively an offer in reasonable quality and is completed by thick stainless steel hardware and a chunky buckle in the tang style. However, since the DS Action Divers 40.5 mm is already a thick watch, it bears a little too big for my personal preferences as soon as you take the additional layers of fabric from the NATO belt into account under the housing. People with larger wrists probably have no problems with the additional height of the NATO strap, but as someone with wrists who measure about 6.5 to 6.75 inches in circumference, I would either choose the version equipped by bracelet or simply replace the supplied NATO for a two-part belt.

When it comes to Swiss watches below the price of thousand dollars, some of the strongest values ​​in the industry under the various brands of the Swatch Group exist. Although the Certina DS Action diver can be a little more genetic from the design point of the design site, it is also a completely capable and well-executed watch, which exceeds the duration department, thanks to Certina's new DS concept-based shock resistance system from Certina. The stainless steel versions of the Certina DS -Action -diver 40.5 mm are to be assessed 810 USD On a NATO strap or $ 855 USD Bought at a bracelet while the Titan version costs a little more $ 940 USDAnd this ultimately seems to be quite sensible when you consider that you receive a Swiss movement with a proprietary impact absorbing case for about the same price as a clock operated by Miyota from a microbrand. You can find more information on the Certina Watches website.