Since 1959, Certina has been setting new standards in terms of the resistance and everyday practicality of its timepieces with its Double Security (DS) system. Now, the Swiss watchmaker is launching an enhanced version of its tried-and-tested concept that has evolved and adjusted to modern needs over the years. After extensive research into shock resistance, a new, super-durable design has been created, setting a higher standard: introducing the «New DS Concept Extreme Shock Resistance».
TEST OF ENDURANCE
The very first Certina DS watches proved their toughness on extraordinary expeditions – from the depths of the ocean to the peaks of the Himalayas. Their latest successors have now had to face an even greater test of endurance: experts at the Swatch Group have developed a completely new, purpose-built device for testing the shock resistance of wristwatches. These extreme tests provided important insights into how to further increase the resistance of the timepieces, particularly with regard to how the movement is secured in the case, and the stability of the dial and the watch glass.
A NEW GENERATION OF THE DS CONCEPT
These findings served as the basis for the development of a new generation of DS watches. The classic features of the Double Security principle – scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, a reinforced case back and a sophisticated sealing system – have been supplemented by three additional elements:
The movement is screwed down into the case by means of a thin, ring-shaped nut, which provides increased stability, especially in the event of vibrations (1)
The same purpose is fulfilled by a wafer-thin metal plate that is embedded between the dial and movement in the new DS concept and connects the two (2)
And finally, the watch’s sapphire crystal has also been redesigned: It is now reinforced and, on some models, also slightly domed (3). This distributes the shock waves even more evenly in the event of an impact.
Extensive tests have proven that all of these measures give the watch a level of shock resistance that far exceeds the requirements of ISO 1413. In fact, the «New DS Concept Extreme Shock Resistance» timepieces can withstand g-forces of such magnitude that the test device was pushed to its load limit during testing.