Brothers Adolf and Alfred Kurth open their first factory
for watch parts and movements in Grenchen. They employ three people in their workshop, which is adjacent to the family home. It is the cornerstone of the brand that will later achieve global fame under the name Certina.
In 1906 the Kurth brothers introduce a brand name for their watches: "Grana", short for "Granacus", the Latin name of Grenchen. The quality of this timepiece is immediately recognised and earns several awards. In the 1920s Alfred Kurth’s sons Erwin and Hans join the company and see it through the difficult time of the Great Depression.
The brand name “Certina” is officially registered. It goes back to the Latin word “certus”, which means “safe” – a perfect fit for the reliable and precise watches that are manufactured under this name.
The turtle shell symbolises robustness and longevity – characteristics borne by all Certina watches, without exception. It's therefore no wonder that the turtle shell has been the brand's personal symbol since the 1960s. To this day, the characteristic outline can still be found on almost every Certina timepiece, as well as on the brand logo.
It evokes the extraordinary durability which characterises every Certina watch.
The first Certina with the DS Concept is unveiled. This “Double Security Concept” lends the timepiece water resistance of up to 20 bar (200 metres), among other features. With this exceptional resistance, Certina watches fulfil the highest demands.
A Swiss-led expedition team achieves the first ascent of Dhaulagiri (8167 m). Throughout this adventure, each member of the expedition team wears a Certina watch that withstands all the pressure and altitude differences.
In the renowned Sealab II underwater research project, the qualities of Certina watches are put to the ultimate test in the extreme conditions on the seabed. The timepieces prove to be reliable companions on the wrists of the aquanauts.
The US Navy and NASA lead a series of geological and biological research projects in the Caribbean. The underwater project Tektite records movements and sounds with cameras and microphones. The divers involved are equipped with Certina watches, which complete all tests with top marks.
Certina chronographs accompany a Japanese expedition on Mount Everest and function flawlessly even under these extreme conditions: They withstand the largest temperature differences and bring precision and reliability to the project.
The Certina Biostar is the first watch in the world to display a person's daily biorhythms. At a glance it shows the wearer's physical, mental and emotional biorhythms.
The Belgian rider Roger de Coster wins the motocross world championships 500cc class for the third time, proudly wearing his Certina DS 288.
Another expert in precision and timing himself, world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali is presented with a Certina watch during a visit to Munich in May 1976.
As a member of Swiss watch industry group ASUAG, Certina becomes a founding member of the SMH Group (Société Suisse de Micro-Électronique et d’Horlogerie) when it merges with the SSIH. This group would go on to become the Swatch Group
With its new Cascadeur models, the Certina brand's skill in making sport watches can be seen at very first glance: the strap of this timepiece is designed like the chain of a motorbike, and two eye-catching metal rods over the sapphire crystal provide extra protection.
Certina continues to extend its involvement in motorsport, and can now be seen on the wrist of the popular rallying world champion Colin McRae.
The DS-3 1000m recaptures the heritage of Certina’s famous diver's watches. This automatic timepiece is water resistant to a record-breaking depth of 1,000 metres.
As the official sponsor of the Sauber Petronas team, Certina celebrates its debut in Formula 1, a discipline to which it will remain loyal for many years. At the same time, the brand is delighted at the 125cc class world title win by motorcyclist Thomas Lüthi, whom it has sponsored since the beginning of his career. These sporting successes are reflected in the launch of the DS Podium, whose sporty design and precision make it one of the most popular and successful Certina watch families to this day.
The Norwegian Ole Einar Bjørndalen, most successful biathlete in sporting history, joins the international Certina family as an official brand ambassador.
On the occasion of its 125th anniversary, Certina presents not only a completely new and fresh corporate identity, but also three new watch movements. The Powermatic 80 automatic caliber is a highly precise movement with a power reserve of up to 80 hours, and the C01.21 makes a name for itself as an extremely reliable chronograph; the innovative trio if rounded off by the Precidrive™ calibre, representing a new generation of quartz watches whose precision is comparable with that of chronometers.
The brand also continues its intense involvement in motorsport and is now the official timekeeper at the FIA World Rally Championship
A material causes a sensation: The DS Podium Chronograph, made from ultra lightweight and robust aluminium, adds stylish touches and combines them with high technical quality.
Certina is expanding its presence in motor rallying, as the official partner of the Abu Dhabi Total World Rally Team, one of the most famous and most successful teams in this sport. It is also entering into partnership with the renowned ADAC GT Masters. As the official timekeeper in one of the most exciting racing series in Europe, the brand is consolidating its reputation as an authentic sport watch, which is at home at the world's major motorsports events.
Their names are music to the ears of motor sports fans around the world: The high-tempo GT4 European Series and the FFSA GT G4 France. Certina now guarantees maximum precision at both racing series in its role as a partner to the race promoter SRO Motorsports Group.
Certina shares its love of the underwater world with the Sea Turtle Conservancy. This Florida-based charitable organisation is dedicated to protecting sea turtles and was founded in the same year that Certina launched the DS Concept for double security: 1959.
Our long-term involvement in motor sports is enhanced by our partnership with up-and-coming Swiss motocross racer Jeremy Seewer. In the following year, 2018, Certina also becomes a partner to Jeremy's Wilvo Yamaha MXGP Team.
The brand emphasises its commitment to greater sustainability with significant measures: In addition to the launch of packaging made from recyclable materials, Certina also announces its partnership with the Sea Turtle Conservancy, which is dedicated to the protection of sea turtles.
CERTINA revives a historic diver’s watch that is still as actual as when it was launched for first time: The new DS PH200M seamlessly takes up the timeless design of its namesake from 1967 and combines it with a powerful automatic movement from the latest generation.
The underwater world has always been close to the brand's heart. This is why Certina has become a partner to the Association of German Scuba Divers (VDST), one of the world's largest and oldest scuba diving associations – and is learning from the association's expertise.
On our tireless search for sustainable solutions, the brand came across #tide ocean material®. Made from plastic waste fished from the oceans in an innovative process, it is the raw material for stunning, high-quality and extremely durable watch straps.
