1966 Certina DS Automatic 5801 113 on Certina Bracelet
Ref: 5801 113
Specification
Lugs : 19mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : None
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months Non-Waterproof Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold as "Watch Only" and therefore comes with no original Certina box or paperwork. The watch comes paired with Certina 19mm stainless steel bracelet with a signed folding clasp; the bracelet will fit up to 7.25 inches. The watch is from Circa. 1966 and is sold in worn, vintage condition, with signs of wear and age throughout but overall very fair condition as you can see. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.
For more photos see here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1TAMGqTn2XsU6HGX2tgecQYzWwz5Go8hp?usp=share_link
4K YouTube video, skip to 14:25 - https://youtu.be/PSYNUupBTnQ
The Watch
Here we have a 1966 Certina DS Automatic 5801 113 on Certina Bracelet with a 38.5mm stainless steel case that curves over your wrist with finely tapered drilled lugs. The case was made by the Huguenin brothers in Le Locle, Switzerland, as per the stamp on the inside of the case back, the Huguenin Freres company ran from 1868 until 1999 and also made cases for Universal Geneve, Omega and Zenith. A lug-to-lug length of 45.5mm and a case thickness of 12.5mm give the watch an impressive wrist presence. On the right side is a signed crown, and the stainless steel rotating bezel has a black insert with a distinctive countdown 60-minute scale printed in silver numerals and markers holding a domed crystal above a striking black cross-hair dial. An outer minute track is precisely executed with applied baton indexes at 12, 6 and 9 infilled with Tritium and radiating numerals in an unusual futuristic font to mark the hours. At 3 o’clock a framed date window and long baton hands are infilled with Tritium and complemented by a tapered sweeping second hand. At 12 o’clock we have the Certina motif with “Certina Automatic” printed underneath at 6 o’clock “DS” which stands for “Double Security” in reference to the innovative floating movement and the robust nature of the watch, completing this dynamic vintage dive tool watch. On the reverse a screw-down case back with a brushed wave pattern and embossed Eterna turtle in the centre, inside an automatic Certina Cal. 25-651, beating at 19,800 beats per hour. The watch comes paired with a Certina 19mm stainless steel bracelet with a signed folding clasp.
Personal Note
The numerals on this wonderful example drew me in immediately, art-deco styling surrounded by warm original tritium that has aged to perfection and brought together by a subtle red crosshair through the dial, design doesn't get much better than this... This reference is rarely seen, especially in original condition like this one, another opportunity to pick up a true "Collectors Example", don't miss that opportunity!
The Brand
Certina was founded in 1888 by Adolf and Alfred Kurth in Grenchen Switzerland. Where they made movements and supplies for the watch industry. Shortly afterwards they started making their own watches and grew their workforce from 3 to 250 in 1938 when they celebrated their 50th Anniversary. By 1955 they had 500 employees and were producing 1000 watches a day. This expansion continued in 1971 when they were producing 600,000 watches every year with a workforce of 900. In 1983 Certina became a member of the Swatch group which continues to this day.