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Add Texture to GoogleSometimes all it takes is a splash of color to shift a watch’s center of gravity. At Certina, the DS Action Diver 38 mm partially sheds the austerity of its black design: two new versions introduce bright orange and teal into a black PVD case that was previously reserved for an almost military-style dive watch. The change may seem modest on paper. On the wrist, however, it alters the watch’s character without compromising what has long been this collection’s main selling point: durability.
Black is no longer an end in itself
The DS Action Diver operates in a realm where technical prowess has often taken precedence over immediate appeal. Its “DS” acronym stands for “Double Security,” a construction developed by Certina in 1959. The movement is held in place by a rubber ring inside the case to better absorb shocks, while a screw-down crown helps ensure the watch’s water resistance. These are crucial qualities for a dive watch, though less visible than a spectacular dial or a bracelet with intricate finishes.
The black PVD-coated version was already in the catalog, but it took this functional approach to the extreme: a black case, black dial, and NATO strap, with no details to disrupt its dark, unified look. The models C048.807.33.051.02 and C048.807.33.051.01 introduce a more graphic contrast. Black remains the backdrop. Color becomes the focal point.
The orange is bold, almost like a signal. It grabs your attention the moment you look at the bezel and the dial’s flange. The teal takes a less immediate approach: neither quite blue nor quite green, it shifts in tone with the light. This visual instability is what makes it interesting. Where the orange asserts a straightforward, sporty energy, the teal retains a certain restraint that suits a matte black case quite well.
A diver’s watch designed for practical use
Certina has not altered the design of its DS Action Diver to accommodate this new color palette. The diameter remains at 38 mm, with a thickness of 13.2 mm. The steel case features a black PVD coating and retains the same lugs as the other models in the line. The way they slope toward the wrist prevents the watch from sitting too high on the wrist—a welcome feature on a model whose compact proportions might suggest a lightness it doesn’t always possess.
For the DS Action Diver 38 mm has a substantial presence. Its weight is noticeable, particularly when worn on a metal bracelet. This isn’t a flaw for those who readily associate heft with a sense of solidity, but it’s worth considering before making a purchase. Size isn’t everything when it comes to a watch, and this 38-mm model doesn’t set out to compete with ultra-thin dress watches.
Its specifications are those of a true diver’s watch: water resistance to 300 meters (30 bar) and compliance with the ISO 6425 standard. The screw-down crown, protective case, and matte ceramic bezel all reflect this purpose. The DS Action Diver, therefore, does not seek to be viewed as a colorful accessory disguised as a timepiece. Color is incorporated into a design whose primary function remains readability.
The bezel embodies the essence of the new visual language. Its colored markings complement a lacquered flange dedicated to the minute and second markings. The seconds hand echoes the same shade, either orange or teal. Otherwise, Certina avoids overloading the black dial: the hour markers and hands are coated with Super-LumiNova, while a date window is positioned at three o’clock. This graphic restraint is welcome. The accents wouldn’t have the same impact if every element on the dial were vying for attention.
The Strap as an Extension of the Dial
The real advancement of these new models may not lie solely in their color, but in what they come with. The previous black PVD DS Action Diver was available exclusively on a NATO strap. The orange and teal models come with a matching silicone strap and a black DLC-coated steel bracelet. Two options, two interpretations of the same watch.
On the black steel strap, the DS Action Diver takes on a more understated look. The case, bracelet, and dial form a dark ensemble where only the colored hour markers break the continuity. The result is cohesive, but the original concept comes across more clearly with the orange or teal silicone strap. By extending the bezel’s color to the wrist, Certina embraces the watch’s sporty character. The strap becomes an integral part of the design rather than merely a means of attachment.
The quick-change folding clasp facilitates this switch. However, there remains one drawback with the metal bracelet: its clasp does not allow for micro-adjustments. At this price point, this omission is noticeable, especially since the watch’s weight makes precise adjustment particularly useful. A few millimeters can determine whether a diver’s watch stays secure on the wrist or shifts around throughout the day.
From diving to padel: a detour into color
These colors aren’t without context. Certina has been a partner of padel since 2021, a fast-paced, highly visual sport where colorful accessories never seem out of place. The orange and teal colors extend this partnership with a rather obvious flair. The silicone strap, in particular, takes the DS Action Diver out of an exclusively underwater world and into a more everyday sporting context.
The approach remains understated. It’s not about covering the dial with patterns or piling on contrasts. Black retains its basic function—almost like a screen—against which the color stands out clearly. Certina seems to have understood that a technical watch can feel lighter without becoming merely decorative. The chosen accents are limited to areas that also aid readability: the bezel scale, the outer minute track, and the seconds hand.
This evolution builds on other recent offerings in the DS Action Diver 38 mm collection. Titanium versions had already paired a black dial with pink accents, a gray dial with turquoise, and an electric blue dial with orange. What’s new here is the pairing of these colors with the black PVD case. The contrast is sharper—and more contemporary—without altering the watch’s core design.
A Caliber Without Unnecessary Frills
Beneath the case back lies the Powermatic 80.611 automatic caliber. It operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour—or 3 Hz—and offers a power reserve of 80 hours. This is not a movement designed to impress with a complication or showy architecture. It meets a simple need: to allow the watch to remain off the wrist for several days without stopping.
The Nivachron balance spring is designed to improve resistance to shocks and magnetic fields compared to a standard balance spring. The movement is part of the DS Concept Extreme Shock Resistance, the contemporary iteration of the protective approach that defines the collection. Hours, minutes, seconds, and date: the DS Action Diver promises nothing more, and that is precisely the point. Inside and out, it prioritizes functionality over flash.
Priced at 860 pounds sterling—approximately 1,040 dollars—the two new models cost just 100 pounds more than the black version on a NATO strap, which retails for 760 pounds. This price difference grants access to both straps—colored silicone and black DLC-coated steel—making the offering significantly more comprehensive. Information on these models is available on the Certina website.
Between the orange C048.807.33.051.02 and the teal C048.807.33.051.01, the choice is therefore not just a matter of color preference. One transforms the watch into an unapologetically sporty piece; the other lets black take center stage while giving it a shifting vibe. In both cases, the DS Action Diver retains its 300-meter water resistance, its durable movement, and its robust case. It simply chooses not to take itself quite so seriously anymore.
