Certina DS2 PH200 Turtle Back Ref. 5801-303

Certina DS2 PH200 Turtle Back, Ref. 5801 303, 200m, Certina 25-651 Movement, c1972-5

This Certina came from a fellow collector in Sweden. I acquired it several months ago, but I have only just got around to getting it lightly restored. It was a bit of a punt, the crystal was extensively scratched, and the condition of the dial was difficult to evaluate. The bezel was stuck solid too, but it seemed to keep good time and the screw down crown operated as it should. I popped the bezel off, where there seemed to be 30 plus years of crud. A deep clean, and a repositioning of the metal strip that regulates the uni-directional clicks, and it was back to working order, with a wonderfully sharp clicking action. The lightly domed dial turned out to be in great shape, with only a slight rubbing near the centre where the hands had dropped.

It went away to get a new glass crystal fitted, along with a dial clean and the hands relumed.. it scrubbed up well. The case is completely unpolished an original – I resisted the temptation to get it tidied up.

This DS2 PH200 model was made from 1972 to 75, it houses an in-house Certina 25-651 Movement, with shock absorption and semi-quick date change (like that on a Heuer Cal. 12), beats at 19’800, with a power reserve of 42h. Talking of Heuer, I think it’s Autavia-esk shape is what drew me to it, along with some of its other highlights – the domed crystal, those wonderful rectangular polished hour markers, the squared hands, the clear plastic coated bezel insert, and not forgetting that beautiful turtle caseback. The case measures 40mm across, just under 44mm with the crown, and has 20mm lugs. The yellow hand and small square painted hour markers would have originally been bright orange when new, but they have faded.. the markers to almost white, and the hand to a lovely yellow hue.

For more info on this model and other vintage Certinas, see the excellent VintageCertinas.ch…

Certinas Turtle Back Watches
Details of the movements