When I started to collect vintage Certina watches, I wanted to learn more about these wonderful timepieces.

In various forums on the internet I found posts from other people who also wanted to know more about their “sweeties,” but their cries for help had also faded away into the wilderness of the World Wide Web. Now you need to know that in the wake of the quartz crisis and the subsequent demise of some brands, a lot of information and material got lost. That situation also applies to Certina.

So I started to collect the scattered and scanty information available, and the result is published here since 2008. Since 2016 VintageCERTINAs is the official partner page of Certina when it comes to the subject of history and vintage models.
This site is not intended to be a complete reference for all vintage Certina models. I specifically focus on models from the 1960s and 70s that I think are worth mentioning, with a particular emphasis on mechanical watches. Nevertheless, I will try to update the site with other models and information over time. This list is not intended to be exhaustive, and I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the data. This is a private website.

My thanks for providing me with information and pictures go to: Reto Marxer, Brigitt Illi, Axel66, jeannie, Terri und 660feet from the Watchtime-Forum, Nalu, Snogge und Sulaco from the Watchuseek Dive Watch Forum, MSX from the forum Orologi & Passioni, Roger Ruegger, Roland Ranfft, Gerhard Standop, Martin Lovasz, Urs Bodmer, the crew from Certina and all the other helpers, too numerous to mention here.

Well, I hope you enjoy your reading!

If you have any questions, suggestions or information, feel free to contact me!
Do you have a Certina watch and want to know more about it? Write here.
Want to stay informed? Discover background information and interesting links? Follow me on acebook VintageCERTINAs und Instagram vintagecertinas.

About the Brand

The history of Certina

It all started with the brothers Adolf und Alfred Kurth in 1888 in Grenchen, Switzerland.

They opened a movement and supplies factory for the watchmaking industry. In 1906, for the first time, complete watches were produced and the brand name "Grana" was used.

Read the story of Certina ⇾

Certina vintage models

Learn more about Certina

Information

The information section lets you date your watch with the reference and serial numbers as well as consult brochures and advertising material.
You will also find interesting links to useful resources.

If you have any questions, suggestions or informations for me please contact me!

The magic of mechanics

Certina movements

Different movements were used by Certina. Various manual wind calibers were in the product range until 1947, when the first self-winding caliber came to market. Later on a chronograph mechanism was used, followed by tuning-fork movement and a quartz movement. Up until the mid-seventies Certina developed many different manufactory movements.

Discover more ⇾