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Certina Automatic DS-3, Black Dial, Well Preserved, circa 1970s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Certina Automatic DS-3, Black Dial, Well Preserved, circa 1970s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Certina (maker)
Date
c. 1970s
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
vws3781
Credit line
Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (vws3781)
Catalogue title (original)
Certina Automatic DS-3 - Black Dial - Well Preserved - Papers - c.1970s (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number vws3781), this is a wristwatch by Certina, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1970s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist

A Very Collectable Certina Automatic DS-3 Super PH1000m in Fantastic Condition on its Original Steel Bracelet and Sold With Papers Founded in 1888 in Grenchen, Switzerland, Certina has built a legacy of precision, durability, and innovation in watchmaking. Known for its pioneering DS (Double Security) concept introduced in 1959, Certina quickly gained a reputation for creating rugged timepieces suited to professional diving and exploration. The brand has long embraced sport and adventure, becoming a trusted name in Swiss watchmaking. Today, Certina continues to balance classic design with cutting-edge technology and Swiss-made reliability. What's on Offer This Certina DS-3 Super PH1000M is a bold and highly collectible vintage diver, defined by its rugged construction and unmistakable 1970s charm. Housed in a robust stainless steel tonneau-shaped case, it features a striking rich black dial with large luminous baton indices and chunky hands, including a vibrant orange minute hand for instant legibility underwater. The coin -edged uni-directional rotating bezel is set into a deep, protective case profile, underlining its serious tool-watch credentials. Powering the watch is a reliable automatic movement, offering smooth timekeeping and classic Swiss mechanical engineering. With a water resistance rating originally tested to 1000 metres, the DS-3 was one of the most capable divers of its time — and remains a benchmark for vintage underwater design. Presented in fantastic vintage condition, the case retains sharp lines, the dial is beautifully preserved, and the watch wears impressively on the wrist thanks to its integrated stainless steel bracelet. An outstanding choice for collectors or anyone looking to add a true deep-sea icon to their collection.

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Automatic (self-winding) watches

Self-winding watches use the wearer's motion to wind the mainspring. Abraham-Louis Perrelet and Breguet made 'perpétuelle' pocket watches with oscillating weights in the late eighteenth century, but the principle only became practical in the wristwatch. John Harwood patented a bumper automatic in 1923; Rolex's Perpetual rotor (1931) winding in one direction, and later bidirectional rotors (Eterna, Felsa Bidynator), established the modern form. Micro-rotors (Universal Genève, Buren) and peripheral rotors made automatic watches thinner.

What to look for

  • A semicircular rotor turning 360° over the movement, or a 'bumper' weight that rebounds between springs.
  • 'Automatic', 'Perpetual' or 'Self-winding' on the dial.
  • A sealed screw-back case, since automatic watches are wound less often by the crown.

Dating clues

  • Bumper automatics: 1923–c. 1955.
  • Full rotors: from 1931 (Rolex); widespread after c. 1950.
  • Micro-rotors: from 1954–1958.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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