Certina DS Action Diver 38mm Powermatic 80 Review: The Ultimate Affordable Compact Swiss Diver

For years, watch enthusiasts with smaller wrists or a preference for vintage sizing found themselves navigating a sea of oversized dive watches. Certina, a brand synonymous with resilience since 1888, has consistently listened. The new Certina DS Action Diver 38mm Powermatic 80 doesn’t just meet demand, it resets the standard for the compact luxury diver segment.

The trend towards smaller, more wearable timepieces has established the 38mm diver watch as the sweet spot for modern versatility. Certina has masterfully scaled the DS Action Diver design, a model traditionally known in larger sizes, to create a package that appeals to a universal audience.

At roughly 13.2mm thick, the case design manages its depth well, utilizing the famed Double Security (DS) Concept to ensure maximum durability without beeing too bulky.

At the heart of the DS Action Diver 38mm lies the caliber that defines Swatch Group’s competitive advantage: the Powermatic 80. This automatic movement (specifically the Powermatic 80.611) delivers not only precision but a level of convenience unmatched by most competitors in this price tier.

The “80” refers to the exceptional 80-hour power reserve. This means you can take the watch off on Friday evening and find it still ticking accurately when you pick it up again on Monday morning. This extended autonomy is a game-changer for those who rotate their watches or simply prefer not to manually wind their timepiece regularly. By utilizing a reduced frequency (21,600 vibrations per hour), Certina optimizes energy consumption.

True dive watch quality is defined by its resilience to external forces. Certina takes its legendary Double Security (DS) Concept further by integrating the Powermatic 80 with the Nivachron balance spring.

Nivachron is an advanced, titanium-based alloy developed to provide significantly enhanced resistance to magnetic fields. In today’s world, magnetism is a silent killer of mechanical watch accuracy. By incorporating Nivachron, Certina ensures the movement remains largely unaffected by these daily hazards, guaranteeing long-term precision and reliability.

Design and Durability: A Modern Diver’s Essential

The visual and tactile updates to the Certina DS Action Diver 38mm cement its status as a premium offering. Every design choice focuses on maximizing both durability and aesthetic appeal, directly answering the user’s implicit need for a watch that looks as good as it performs.

The most significant upgrade is the introduction of a high-gloss, scratch-resistant ceramic bezel insert.

Certina ensures broad appeal by offering the 38mm Powermatic 80 in five distinct references, providing variety for every style preference:

1. Classic Steel (Black or Green Dial): The quintessential dive watch experience in robust 316L stainless steel, paired with a matching three-link bracelet.
2. Blacked-Out PVD: An aggressive, monochromatic look achieved with a black PVD coating, typically paired with a NATO strap for a tactical feel.
3. Two-Tone Elegance: Featuring yellow gold PVD accents on the case and bracelet, offering a touch of vintage luxury often associated with higher-end divers.
4. Lightweight Titanium: The ultimate tool watch choice, this variant uses titanium for its case, offering significantly reduced weight and enhanced hypo-allergenic properties, making it perfect for long periods of wear.

Pricing, Availability & Where to Get One

The Certina DS Action Diver 38mm Powermatic 80 lineup is positioned to offer exceptional value, cementing its place as one of the best specification-to-price ratios in the Swiss automatic dive watch segment.

The standard stainless steel models on a bracelet are priced at €895 to €960. The lightweight titanium model on a titanium bracelet has the highest RRP, set at €1,095. Finally, the model featuring a PVD coating on the stainless steel case has an RRP of €870.

The new Certina DS Action Diver 38mm Powermatic 80 is more than just an update; it is a meticulously calculated refinement of an already excellent dive watch.