In the new Certina DS-X GMT, Certina has combined diving robustness, a compass for orientation, and a true "flyer" GMT function, and packed it all into a lightweight 41 mm case that costs less than a decent airline ticket.
If you think GMTs have become boring as “commercial breaks,” Certina has just the right antidote. Fresh Certina DS-X GMT mixes genres: a classic diver's watch, an adventure compass and a practical GMT for tourists. The result? A watch that can easily take you from a meeting in an office building to a dive under a coral reef – and back again in the right time zone.
Certina The engineering feat is a “push-turn” system that separates the functions of the two bezels: the outer compass (friction-fit) and the inner 24-hour GMT. The compass helps orient the wrist in nature, while the inner bezel ensures that home time doesn’t escape while you’re browsing the hotel minibar. The two bezels rotate independently, solving the age-old “diver or traveler” watch dilemma.
Quartz Heartbeat with HeavyDrive – Why That's Cool
Instead of a complicated automatic, it beats in DS-X GMT Swiss ETA F06.865. “Flyer” GMT means you only move the local time, not the entire display – ideal when you’re running out of time at a border checkpoint. HeavyDrive technology temporarily stops the hands from flying off axis during a jolt (read: the watch survives your mountain biking escapades). All the while maintaining a thickness of a friendly 12.15 mm, so it can be hidden under a business shirt sleeve.
DS construction: next-generation turtle shell
Certina's DS (“Double Security”) tradition dates back to the 1960s; with the DS-X GMT it has been pushed to the extreme with Extreme Shock Resistance: reinforced sapphire crystal, reinforced seals and a screw-down crown. The result is 200-meter water resistance, which meets ISO standards for divers, and a lug-to-lug of 48.2 mm, which is also friendly to medium-sized wrists.
Color cocktail: from “Miami Ice” to “Boardroom Black”
The five versions of the Certina DS-X GMT bring moods for all occasions. The loudest is the white dial with an orange-blue bezel and a blue rubber strap – a true postcard from a sailboat. Conservatives can choose between a gray dial with a red-black or green-black bezel, on a rubber strap or a three-piece bracelet. All share the same 316L steel case and anti-reflective sapphire, so no compromises under the layers of color.
Price and availability: more hours for less money
When the competition for similar robustness still charges three-digit amounts with double the price up front, Certina throws down the gauntlet: €570 for a rubber strap or €595 for a steel bracelet (approx. CHF495/520). The watch is already on the shelves of authorized retailers and is not a limited edition – good news if you only reward yourself after your next paycheck.
Conclusion
The DS-X GMT is like the Swiss Army Knife of watches: compass, GMT, diver and shock absorber in one. If you need a companion that will jump from the boardroom into the wilderness without a hitch – and still show the exact home time – you've just found it.
| Property | Data |
|---|---|
| Model | Certina DS-X GMT |
| Housing | 316L stainless steel |
| Diameter | 41 mm |
| Thickness | 12.15mm |
| Lug-to-lug | 48.2mm |
| Waterproof | 200 m (20 ATM) |
| Glass | Sapphire, double-sided anti-reflective coating |
| Drive | ETA F06.865 quartz movement with HeavyDrive protection |
| Functions | Double rotating bezel (external compass, internal 24-hour GMT) "Flyer" GMT setting |
| Protection system | DS Concept Extreme Shock Resistance |
| Strap/Bracelet | Color-coordinated rubber strap or three-piece steel bracelet |
| Price (2025) | €570 (rubber strap) €595 (steel bracelet) |
