History
Once upon a time...
This is a brief overview of the history of Certina. The complete story can be found on the Certine Website. The focus of my list is in the sixties and seventies and the models presented on this sites.
1888
The brothers Adolf und Alfred Kurth open a movement and supplies factory for the watchmaking industry in Grenchen, Switzerland.
1906
For the first time, complete watches are produced and the brand name "Grana" is used.
1939
Entry of the brand "Certina" at the Federal Institute of Intellectual Property. Over the years more and more watches under the name Certina will be produced.
1947
Production of the first self-winding movement, the KF 360.
1951
The first from Certina developed self-winding rotor movement, the 25-45 comes on the market.
1954
Certina delivers self-winding movements to the American watchmaker Hamilton.
1955
The company's name is changed from Kurth Frères SA, Fabrique de montres Certina, to Certina, Kurth Frères SA.
1958
Production start of the fameous DS line (DS = double security), although it was officially lounged in 1959. Over the next nine years over 300,000 pieces will be sold.
1960
A Swiss team exclusively equipped with Certina DS watches, climb to the Dhaulagiri (8,222 m).
1963
Certina now employs 800 persons and annually produces 500'000 watches.
1965
In its Sealab-II experiment, the US Navy does a scientific study on the life of dolphins, with the participation of important researchers such as the Norvegian Sem-Jacobsen and the astronaut Carpenter. The Certina DS is a trustworthy partner, which once again proves its outstanding resistance under difficult conditions.
1968
Certina launches the DS-2 line, the successor model of the successful DS line.
1969
In the Tektite I project, which was conducted from February 15 to April 15 1969 in the Lameshur Bay at St. John, in the U. S. Virgin Islands, in a cooperative effort by the U.S. Department of the interior, the U.S. Navy, the NASA and General Electric, the Certina DS-2 Super PH 500M is used and receives six times the valuation "very good".
1970
In the Tektite II experiment the Certina DS-2 Super PH 500M is used again.
A Japanese expedition to Mount Everest is equipped with five Certina DS-2 Chronolympic watches. During this expedition, the Japanese skier Yuichiro Miura complete one of the most daring downhills in the history of skiing, starting from the South Col at 7'986 meters. Certina's rugged equipment resists perfectly to all changes in temperature and records the key moments of the expedition.
Certina is co-sponsor of the "Canaris Project". In which an enormous two-by-three-meter polyester egg weighing 350 kg will be sent across the Atlantic. The egg is equipped with a camera to film the voyage, as well as two Certina DS chronometers to record time. The egg is considered to be the first artistic creation ever to have made the unmanned trip across the Atlantic.
1971
Certina is foundation member of the General Watch Co. (GWC) initiated by the ASUAG; further members: Edox/Era, Endura, Eterna, Longines, Mido, Rado, Rotary, Technos.
The Certina Biostar is the world's first watch to display human daily biorhythms. At a glance, one can follow one's physical, mental and emotional rhythms.
1972
Certina now employs 900 persons and annually produces 600'000 watches.
1973
The Belgian Roger de Coster, wearing a Certina DS 288, is 500 cc World Motocross Champion for the third time.
1975
The Certina DS Diamaster comes on the market.
1976
The DS Diamaster, which unscratchable case from Rado is made of tungsten carbide, is one of the year's attractions in Basel. The American Heavyweight Champion Muhammed Ali, alias Cassius Clay, is chosen to be Certina testimonial.
1977
The car manufacturer Volvo celebrates its 50th Anniversary and orders for each of its over 60'000 workers an engraved Certina watch.
1979
After 20 years of existence, the Certina DS line reaches the million-sold mark.
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