Certina DS-2 Automatic (Ref. 5801 300) Silver Dial, 1970s

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

In 1888 two brothers, Adolf and Alfred Kurth opened a watch movement and watchmaking supplies factory in Grenchen, Switzerland. By 1906, the company started creating complete watches under the moniker, Grana, before renaming to the name that stuck—Certina—in 1924. From producing automatic movements for Hamilton to supplying the US Navy with superior dive watches for their Sealab-II experiments in 1965 and even adorning the wrist of Muhammad Ali, Certina has been a heavyweight player with an underdog presence for decades. This ref. 5801 300 is a quintessentially-70s piece with a chunky cushion-style case and radial dial. It also features the in-house Certina cal. 25-651 automatic movement. All in all, it's a perfect example of the brand's ability to create a tough, functional, and attractive timepiece that can stand the test of time without breaking the bank. SPECS Stock # CRTDS5801300 Brand Certina Style DS-2 Model 5801 300 Serial 81XXXXX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Silver Millimeters 38 Bracelet Certina "NSA" Rolled-Link Bracelet CASE & BRACELET The lightly polished case is in excellent condition with strong dimensions and very little signs of use. The case retains its original "Certina" signed crown. The case back is adorned with a fan-blade motif that surrounds a turtle medallion that reads Certina-DS and remains fully intact and is in wonderful overall condition. The watch comes supplied on its original stainless steel "NSA" rolled link bracelet featuring the stretch adjust clasp. The bracelet will fit up to a 7 1/2-inch wrist. DIAL & HANDS The brushed silver dial has incredible depth and is in near-perfect vintage condition, with no damage or obscene elements of age. The tritium lume plots all remain fully intact when inspected under U.V. light and have aged to a handsome golden patina. The black and steel original tritium hands match the dial perfectly, under UV light inspection the minute hand exhibits some minor cracking and the hour hand exhibits no degradation. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is keeping time, the previous service history is unknown. A movement service can be provided upon request.