Can This Stunning, Affordable, Underdog Diver Beat G-Shock and Seiko at Their Own Game?

If you like the Casio sub-brand’s toughness and durability, but prefer Seiko’s dive watch styling, this watch series could be a big winner.

By Sean Tirman

Published May 23, 2025

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Updated May 23, 2025

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Founded in Grenchen in 1888 by Adolf and Alfred Kurth, Certina is a relatively small Swiss watchmaker that, these days, is part of the Swatch Group.

But the brand’s latest release, the Certina DS Action Diver watch series, might have more in common with a couple of well-known Japanese brands, namely G-Shock and Seiko. But it might be better than both … in some very specific ways.

Certina DS Action Diver Watch face — While this watch boasts a shock-resistant housing similar to G-Shock, its styling is more akin to Seiko or Tudor.

A shocking development

The DS Action Diver series hinges on a specific Certina development, the DS (or Double Security) Concept housing. Originally introduced in 1959, this new version, styled as DS Concept Extreme Shock Resistance, is even more robust and effective than its predecessor.

Like G-Shock’s signature housing, the DS Concept offers exceptional resistance to vibrations, impacts, magnetism and so on. However, it also features the same gasketed construction as other divers to offer sea-worthy levels of water resistance (up to 300m).

Like G-Shock’s signature housing, the DS Concept offers exceptional resistance to vibrations, impacts, magnetism and so on.

Unlike G-Shock, however, these watches are fitted with a Swiss-made Powermatic 80.611 automatic movement with an 80-hour power reserve, giving them a horological edge over the Japanese brand’s digital quartz movements.

Furthermore, these Certina watches are far more refined in their overall appearance, more in line with typical dive watches than the bulky resin offerings from G-Shock. If it weren’t for their similar focus on shock resistance and relative affordability, there really wouldn’t be any reason to compare the two brands.

Certina DS Action Diver Titanium Watch — Alongside this watch’s 316L stainless steel versions, there’s also a more upscale titanium version.

A certain similarity

If I had to compare the Certina DS Action Diver watch series to existing models, I’d probably place it somewhere between Seiko’s Prospex Divers and Tudor’s Black Bay. While that’s a risky tightrope to walk, considering the ferocious fandom surrounding them, I’m willing to stand by it.

It’s a fitting spot for these 40.5-millimeter Swiss divers, as their features, materials and styling all fall somewhere between Seiko and Tudor. The series has four watches, three of which are crafted from 316L stainless steel (one with a NATO-style nylon strap and two with stainless steel and ceramic link bracelets) and a fourth with a titanium case.

The case looks chunkier here than it actually is, as this watch is only 40.5mm.

Certina

They all boast automatic movements, rotating dive timer bezels, relatively minimalist hour markers, Super-Luminova on the markers and hands, antireflective sapphire crystals and 300-meter water resistance ratings.

Price-wise, they’re definitely closer to Seiko, falling between CHF 785 (approximately $955) and CHF 895 (roughly $1,090). That’s a lot of bang for your buck.

Certina DS Action Diver Watch on diver's wrist — While you could certainly wear this watch diving, its looks will make you want to show it off above water.

Pricing and availability

As mentioned, the Certina DS Action Diver watches range from around $955 to $1,090 USD and they’re now available at select retailers and Swatch stores.